The number of workstations you can activate Capture One on depends on your license type. Capture One licenses may have 1 and more activations (also known as seats). This number indicates how many workstations the license can be used on, be it Windows or macOS. These activated workstations can be seen and managed from your account -> Plans & services management:
Single-user licenses
A single-user license is for one individual to install and use only. The single-user license may be used on one computer at a time and by the same individual provided irrespective of the number of available activations.
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Capture One Studio
- 3 activations
- 3 activations
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All in One
- 3 activations
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Capture One Pro
- 3 activations
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Capture One trial
- 3 activations
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Capture One mobile
- As per Apple's App Store terms and conditions, you can install an app on up to 10 devices associated with your Apple ID. Family sharing is not supported for Capture One mobile.
Multi-user licenses
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Capture One Studio for Teams and Capture One Studio for Enterprise
- For a solution tailored to your needs, you will need to reach out to Sales Team at reseller@captureone.com
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Capture One Pro (multi-user)
- A 5-User license can be used on 5 computers simultaneously, this means that each of these five users can activate the license on 1 workstation.
A 10-User license can be used on 10 computers simultaneously, this means that each of these ten users can activate the license on 1 computer accordingly.
- A 5-User license can be used on 5 computers simultaneously, this means that each of these five users can activate the license on 1 workstation.
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Capture One Enterprise
- The license key is scalable on seats. The number of workstations should not exceed the maximum number of permitted users acquired.
Capture One for Phase One
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- Capture One 20 and later - 10 workstations
- Capture One 12 and older versions do not require a license key
NOTE: If you have reached your activation limit, you can always reset your activations from within the application directly by deactivating one instance or on our website through your Capture One account. See the guide on how to do it here. This will free up your activations and allow you to activate the software again.
Comments
52 comments
Am I the only one finding it utterly insane that we're loosing 1 activation seat by purchasing v21?
I mean I love Capture One but I use the Sony version and need to be able to use it on my desktop and laptop (ie 2 activation seats) without having to deactivate/reactivate it each time I switch computers.
Any chance this very strange decision gets reversed?
I'm probably not going to be the only customer you're going to loose if you implement that downgrade.
Regards,
J.
[edit] : does that note in the beginning means it's only the case for first time purchase? Meaning people upgrading from v20 will keep their 2 activation seats?
Trying to kill the brand versions maybe?
Hi Jay,
You will have the same number of activation seats for Capture One (for Sony) license as previously.
Is it the same for users coming from C1-20 all cameras?
I mean, I currently have 3 computers activated on my C1-20 (studio + desktop workstation + notebook), how many computers will I be able to activate if I upgrade to C1-21?
Just 2 with boring need to activate/deactivate continuosly or will I mantain my current 3 activations?
Regards,
Federico
Hi Federico,
The number of available activations will stay the same for your license.
May I just double check? I just paid the upgrade for my Fujifilm perpetual license (v20 to v21), and I currently have C1 installed on my 2 desktops in different countries! I can only be in one place at a time, and I am the only user, As an exisiting customer, will you confirm that I won't need to deactivate each computer and reactivate the other (that is, when we are allowed to travel - ;-) ), and that my exisiting agreement to have it activated on both computers will still be valid? You seem to imply that above, but I am not quite sure that you mean exactly what I hope is so. BTW, I agree with the poster who said you could lose customers with this. Every software company, these days, almost without exception, allows the use of two personally owned computers.
This is quite infuriating. I researched this a month ago and then there we'd get 2 activations per licence. I need both, one for my stationary desktop and one for the laptop when travelling. I bought the licence yesterday just to find out now that I cannot use it as intended.
C1 needs a uniform policy. All this 1 activation w this licence/version 2 with this version and 3 with this version is very confusing and infuriating. You know we all need at least 2(desktop & laptop at a minimum). You're starting to look/act like adobe. We left adobe for a reason.
I am really confused by all the information about activations. I just purchased a license but now I am unsure if I want to keep the purchase.
I need to use the software on my laptop and desktop computer. Your information is not clear as to whether or not I can actually use the software on both computers without being forced to deactivate it on one before it will work on the other.
Can someone from Capture One clarify this point?
If I can't use it easily on both my laptop and desktop I will ask for a refund since I have not yet used the activation key.
If someone on this forum knows the answer, I would appreciate some feedback. No idea how long it takes Capture One support to answer.
Hi John,
Yes, the same number of activations is retained with your key.
You will just have to reactivate the software on each of your computers with the new key you received after the upgrade.
Hi Oscar,
You have the license which provides 2 activations.
It means that Capture One software can be installed and activated on 2 workstations with this license.
Hi! I´m also having the same issue. I do understand I can run Capture One 20 on both laptop and desk computer. But my key is still rejected when I try to install capture one in both. Is there any step-by-step instruction I can read? Thank u.
I appreciate if there´s sombody who can help me in spanish :D
What a joke! Talk about trying to confuse people!
Having downloaded Sony express version a few month ago, (but not really used much), I decided, having read positive reviews, that I'd dive in with both feet and buy the full Sony version. I only use Sony cameras so don't really see much point in buying the full Pro version, but I thought I'd just check on the license situation first. I'm glad I did.
From what I can make out, it seems that the branded versions are now only for one machine and you want your users to pay twice as much to use on another, or maybe you think we'll be stupid enough to buy two camera licenses for the same amount? Talk about trying to squeeze everything you can out of your clients. You're unlikely to win over disgruntled Lightroom users if you treat them the same way that Adobe do.
I'll think I'll give it a miss for now and revisit when/if you come to your senses!
Thank you, Lily.
I am delighted to be "grandfathered" in with 2 activations, but I trust the Company can see the frustration of newer customers. The sort of photographers who will spend money on more complex image editing programs (particularly RAW converters), are the sort of people who will be editing a bit away from home or office, but will do more work on the desktop. Or, they need to work on two separate desktops (or laptops). A "2 acticvation" limit makes sense.
Regards.
Right now I would just like to get the one i paid for working. Great software US branch of C1, not so much.
Please increase the activations for those who just bought C20-21 license to at least two. I loaded it on my laptop first and just now figured out I have to deactivate it to use it on my (preferred) desktop. Not a very good first impression for a new user.
Hi Lily
I also upgraded my C1 11 perpetual license to the new C1 20 subscription license. With the older version I can activate it both on my iMac and MacBook Pro, with the new subscription version, it says I am out of activations after only activating it on my iMac.
I need the software to be working on both my iMac as well as on my MacBook Pro when I am on the road. Paying twice is ridiculous in this case as I am the only one using it, just switching between computers depending on home office or on the road.
All other software I use allows this, e.g. Davinci Resolve Studio 16, Transmit 5 for server connections, etc. Even Adobe allows to install and activate on more then one computer as long as you are the only one using it. If this doesn't get solved, my subscription will not be renewed.
Kind regards
David
Hello. back in August i renewed my subscription like i have done for 15 years. i have had two licences/activations for my work station and laptop. With COVID...i need both those more than ever as my studio situation has changed. my $180.00 COP subscription says single user now. tell me i didn't lose one because someone decided to remove it. i'm sure like many on here...COVID has made it hard to make a living now Capture One is making it harder. Can i load on two machines? i shoot in the studio on desktop and location on laptop.
After debating for a while I finally decided to purchase Capture One only to find out that now I have to decide whether to install it on my laptop or desktop due to the ridiculous new policy from Capture One regarding (Sony) activations. Is there any chance that this policy may revert back to previous versions that give you the very fair 2 activations per account? Also, due to lack of communication from Capture One regarding this issue I will have to wait for another sale if I do decide to purchase or if Capture One does the right thing and allows 2 activations (laptop and desktop). This seems like a very Adobe move and similar policies that I am trying to get away from by becoming a Capture One customer. Disappointing!
"lack of communication on C1 part"
I hate Adobes business model but they do give customer support. C1 could learn something about customer support. All the online info that is provided don't answer all questions. Sometimes you need to communicate with an actual human. C1 doesn't seem to understand that or they just don't care. I've been trying to get an issue resolved for days with no response from C1.
So I previously own a version of Capture one from 2018, signed up for the Sony Annual Subscription and now I can only have one computer active at a time? I tried to update my laptop and it will not allow me since I have 20 installed on my desktop work station. I have read the FAQ above and according to this I should be allowed 2 activations, but no luck. So I am guessing it is back to Lightroom because I need to be able to work on the road and in studio.
Hi Chimes,
Yes, the old key is rejected because it has been substituted by the new key.
Please use the new key that you received after the upgrade to activate Capture One.
Hi David,
I have converted your comment into the request.
We will get back to you shortly in there.
Hi Walter,
It seems that the issue has been resolved now in the request.
Hi Paul,
I see that you have also submitted a request.
We will get back to you shortly with the answer there.
I bought the Sony version a few days ago without realizing that you wouldn't allow 2 activations (as you did when I installed the trial version). It's insane, given usual photography workflows, that you don't support a laptop/desktop model -- limit it to one simultaneous use, but please don't make me juggle activations every day.
What's the process for getting a refund? I have buyer's remorse.
Seeing the number of clients that are unhappy about this new policy, is Capture One considering reverting it so that everyone can have at least 2 activation seats?
I didn't want to say that but... like Lightroom...
I can't understand. I have a Capture One Fujifilm subscribtion which I purchased about a year ago (when my C1 12 "perpetual" license quickly became outdated). And I use it on both my laptop and desktop. So, when the C1 21 rolls out – will I lose the ability to use it on both machines? Is that what you're saying?!
So I have the capture subscription for a year now for sony. I decided to buy the software outright the other day. only to find out now, you can give only one license seat instead of two which I previously had. This is very disappointing and I'm starting to regret my purchase with this company. I need two license seats so I can work remotely and on my desktop. to activate and deactivate is beyond annoying and downright wrong.
Hello, I used to have 3 activation seats since version...8??: studio + home station + laptop for shooting on location. I've upgraded to 21 and I'm a bit cofused... am i going to still have the 3 seats or 2? In the case of 2... you could have let us know in advance. Not happy with it.
I have read the licensing articles, as well as comments in this and other articles, but the relevant pages on the topic are ambiguous on my point.
I have a Capture One Pro for Sony Perpetual Licence since several years, and I've updated regularly and upgraded a few times. I don't have a subscription and never will.
I'm currently running COP 20 on both my laptop and my desktop computers (so, on 2 computers in total), sometimes at the same time, as I've done for a few years.
Question: if I purchase the upgrade to 21, will I still be able to do so? I want to have 2 (and only two) computers activated at the same time, and sometimes in use at the same time (not on the same session or catalog, obviously, as an additional detail).
The articles and comments I read seem to imply both Yes and No to this question, in different sections. And, there are just too many pages devoted to this: the effort is visible, but the result is still confusion.
Extra question: does COP 21 finally allow to add multiple favourite folders (all siblings under the same parent folder) to a Session in one single action (eg. by adding the parent recursively (one level only down) or by multiple selection (Ctrl + click))?
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