Computer App Licensing
How It Works
If you’ve built a desktop application, mobile app, plugin, or any software tool, Distancer AI can set up a complete licensing and distribution system for you — no need to build your own license server, payment integration, or customer management portal.
Your customers visit your Distancer.ai-powered page, choose a license tier, pay through Stripe, and receive their license key instantly. Everything from key generation to renewal billing is handled automatically.
What You Get
- Automated license key generation — Unique keys issued at purchase, tied to customer accounts
- Device activation management — Control how many devices each license can be active on simultaneously
- Subscription billing — Monthly or annual recurring payments with automatic renewal through Stripe
- Perpetual license support — One-time purchase option for lifetime access to specific versions
- Tiered pricing — Create multiple plan levels (Free, Basic, Pro, Enterprise) with different feature sets
- Trial periods — Let customers try your software risk-free with configurable trial durations and optional feature restrictions
- Update management — Deliver new versions to licensed users and control which tiers receive updates
Licensing Models
| Model | Best For |
|---|---|
| Monthly/Annual Subscription | SaaS-style apps, tools with ongoing updates, productivity software |
| Perpetual License | Specialized tools, one-time-use utilities, creative software |
| Tiered Plans | Apps with feature differences between consumer and professional users |
| Per-Seat Licensing | Team or enterprise software where multiple users need access |
| Freemium + Upgrade | Apps with a free core offering and premium features behind a paywall |
Customer Experience
Your customers see a professional, branded product page with:
- Application description, screenshots, and feature highlights
- Clear pricing table showing available tiers and what’s included
- Free trial button (if you offer trials)
- Secure Stripe checkout
- Instant license key delivery and download instructions
After purchase, customers can manage their license, view activation status, and handle renewals directly from their account.
Integration
To connect your application to the Distancer.ai licensing system, you’ll use a straightforward API:
- Validate license keys at startup or periodically
- Check feature entitlements based on the customer’s tier
- Register and release device activations
- Receive webhook notifications for purchases, renewals, and cancellations
Technical integration documentation is provided when you set up your App Licensing Branch.
Who This Is For
- Independent developers with a desktop or mobile app they want to commercialize
- Small studios distributing tools, plugins, or utilities
- Creators who’ve built specialized software for their niche
- Consultants who’ve developed internal tools worth licensing to others
If you’ve built software and want to sell it without building your own licensing infrastructure, this is what you need.
Getting Started
- Brainstorm with Distancer AI — describe your application and the AI will design the licensing model
- Review and customize the generated Business Project and pricing tiers
- Integrate the license validation API into your application
- Test everything in the Sandbox
- Go live when you’re ready to sell