General information

In V5 we offer these products separately which can be licensed as Node-locked or Floating depending on your needs:

We also offer these free products that do not require a license:


All the paid products, regardless of the license type will include:

All the commercial licenses are perpetual (educational versions are not), which means it’s yours forever and won’t expire, however, they only entitle you to download the installers of that major version (for example, any 5.x version that is released).


Node Locked license

Each Node Locked license is composed of a GUI and a node parts.

The facts

Who is it for?

When you use Node-Locked licenses, there's no need to install the RLM License Server and your computer won't depend on it to get the license. The benefits of this type of license are that activating is easier and you can move your computer to a different office and the license goes with you. On the other hand, if you have to license a lot of computers you will have to go one by one activating one license key per machine. Maxwell Node-locked licenses are for perfect for artists/freelancers or small studios who require the full set of features available in Maxwell, but who do not need to share licenses across a network.

Floating license

Each Floating license is composed of a GUI and a node parts.

The facts

Who is it for?

The benefit of this method is that it is easier to license a big amount of computers and you can have Maxwell installed in more computers than licenses you have; the drawback is that the licenses stay with the License Server and if you move a computer out of your local network it won't get a license. The installation is a bit more complicated as you must install the RLM License Server (included in the installers) in one of your computers.

Render Node license


Rendernode licenses only have the node part.

The facts

Who is it for?

Render Node licenses are for users who want to harness more machine power for cooperative/network rendering use, either through their own private render farm, or using networked workstations as render nodes.

What does it contain?

Maxwell Render Node licenses are not GUI or seat licenses; they cannot be used for setting up or editing scenes. They come with the Maxwell.exe render engine interface only (for controlling the render process) and allow for the rendering process itself.


Faculty license (for instructors/classroom labs/renderfarms)

Who is it for?

Faculty licenses are for academic institutions. Licenses are restricted to non-commercial use only, and are not valid for government or commercial research, even if this is being done within an educational institution. Learn more.

What does it contain?

These annual licenses are floating and have no technical restrictions; they function in the same way as commercial Floating or Node Locked licenses. These can work as GUIs and/or rendernodes.

Student license

Who is it for?

Student licenses are for students enrolled at an academic institution.  Only a staff/faculty member of the institution may apply for the Student licenses on behalf of their students.  Learn more.

Licenses are restricted to non-commercial use only, and are not valid for government or commercial research, even if this is being done within an educational institution.

What does it contain?

These annual licenses are Node Locked and have no technical restrictions; they function the same way as commercial Floating or Node Locked licenses.


Evaluation License

Who is it for?

Evaluation licenses are issued (upon request) for short periods, for the purpose of testing or assessing Maxwell Render in a network for your company/project needs.

What does it contain?

Evaluations licenses are distinct from the free demo in that they are non-restricted and have no limitations (restricted for use on commercial projects unless otherwise agreed with Next Limit).

They are issued on a case to case basis and for short periods of time.

Licensing Policy

Commercial Licenses

For full details on permissions of use and restrictions on use, please see our End User Licensing Agreement, located here.

Upgrade Policy

  • Maxwell Render V5 is a major new version and is not included in the free minor updates for version 4.x: it is a paid-for upgrade.

  • Upgrades can be purchased through our Customer Portal. If you are an existing client, please log-in and go to My Upgrades section. It is also possible to purchase through one of our authorized resellers. Find your nearest reseller through our Reseller Locator.

  • Customers are allowed to upgrade as many or as few of their Maxwell Render previous versions licenses as they wish from any existing previous version owned.