IBM License Metric Tool vs Labs64 NetLicensing

IBM License Metric Tool inventories IBM software measured by processor core and measures required licenses in full-capacity and virtualization sub-capacity environments. IBM recommends it for full-capacity licensing and requires it for sub-capacity licensing. It scans infrastructure for installed IBM software and version details that can support version management and security patching. For sub-capacity use, it produces audit reports, tracks license utilization thresholds, and sends email notifications when thresholds approach or exceed their limits. Installation options are License Metric Tool Lite, License Metric Tool with Ansible, and License Metric Tool with BigFix. It integrates with BigFix and provides a REST API for external systems, which must retrieve data through the API rather than directly from the database. The tool is free, with a listed price of free; customers supply hardware and installation services. Linux installations require DB2, included at no charge for use only with the tool. Windows installations require a customer-provided MS SQL Server instance; MS SQL Server Express is supported for environments under 500 endpoints. Sub-capacity audit snapshots must be generated quarterly and kept for at least two years.

Labs64 NetLicensing automates software license delivery and activation, with a Management Console for managing licenses. Teams can use ready-made or customized licensing models, and the open architecture allows them to add models. Its RESTful API can connect licensing entities to business processes, ERP, CRM, and web shops; listed payment integrations include PayPal, Stripe, and FastSpring. The NetLicensing Agent can validate licenses locally when disconnected from the cloud service, and usage analytics offer insight into licensees' product use. NetLicensing is cloud-based and needs no software installation; Labs64 also offers an enterprise on-premise self-hosted option. The Community plan is free and allows one active product, two modules per product, 50 customers, and 100 licenses. Basic is €80.00 per month billed annually, with three active products and 100 customers; Premium is €280.00 per month billed annually. A 30-day trial is available. The listed platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted. Labs64 is headquartered in Munich, Germany.