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When it comes to managing software licenses, it’s essential to have the right tools in place. With so many software options available, finding the best one for your needs can be overwhelming. In this blog post, we will discuss Licensecrawler, a popular software license management tool, and explore six alternatives that offer similar features and functionalities. Whether you’re a business owner or an individual looking to keep your software licenses in check, this article will help you make an informed decision.
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What Is Licensecrawler?
Licensecrawler is a software tool that scans your computer and retrieves license keys and serial numbers for various software applications installed on your system. It is a handy utility especially for businesses that need to keep track of software licenses across multiple computers. With Licensecrawler, you can quickly identify and document software licenses to ensure compliance and avoid any legal issues.
Top 6 Alternatives to Licensecrawler
1. Belarc Advisor
Belarc Advisor is a comprehensive software audit tool that provides detailed information about your hardware and software configurations. It scans your system and generates an HTML report containing all the software license details, including license keys, product IDs, and more. Belarc Advisor also highlights any missing or outdated security patches for your software, making it an excellent choice for both license management and system security.
Pros:
– Detailed hardware and software inventory
– Advanced security patch analysis
– User-friendly interface
Cons:
– No support for network scanning
2. IT Asset Tool
IT Asset Tool is a powerful software inventory and license management tool designed for businesses of all sizes. It provides a centralized platform to track and manage software licenses, hardware assets, and software usage. With automated scans, you can easily discover installed software, assign licenses, and monitor license compliance. IT Asset Tool also offers features like software deployment, purchase order management, and reporting capabilities, making it a comprehensive solution for license management.
Pros:
– All-in-one IT asset management solution
– Easy software deployment
– Extensive reporting capabilities
Cons:
– Advanced features may require technical expertise
3. Lansweeper
Lansweeper is a feature-rich network inventory and asset management software that enables you to scan your network and gather information about all the devices, software, and users. With its license management module, Lansweeper provides a comprehensive overview of software licenses, usage, and compliance. You can track licenses across different locations, manage software renewals, and receive alerts for expiring licenses. Lansweeper also offers integrations with other IT management tools, making it a versatile choice for license management.
Pros:
– Detailed network scanning and inventory
– Intuitive interface
– Integration with third-party tools
Cons:
– Steeper learning curve for advanced features
4. Snipe-IT
Snipe-IT is an open-source, web-based asset management software designed for tracking IT assets, including software licenses. It offers an intuitive user interface and features like barcode scanning, user-friendly asset check-in/check-out, and customizable asset fields. Snipe-IT also provides robust license management capabilities, allowing you to keep track of software purchases, license types, and compliance. Being open-source, Snipe-IT offers flexibility and customization options for businesses with specific license management requirements.
Pros:
– Open-source and customizable
– User-friendly interface
– Barcode scanning functionality
Cons:
– Requires server setup and maintenance
5. SAManage
SAManage is a comprehensive IT service management solution that includes asset management and software license management features. It provides a centralized platform to track software licenses, manage contracts, and ensure compliance. SAManage offers automated discovery and inventory of software assets, license reconciliation, and even software usage monitoring. With its integration capabilities and robust reporting, SAManage is an excellent choice for organizations looking for end-to-end IT service management and license management.
Pros:
– Comprehensive IT service management solution
– Automated software asset discovery
– Reporting and compliance features
Cons:
– Features beyond license management may not be required for all businesses
6. OpenLM
OpenLM is a software license management tool designed to help businesses optimize their license usage and reduce licensing costs. It provides real-time monitoring and reporting of license usage across multiple software applications. OpenLM also offers license borrowing, enabling users to temporarily check out licenses when working remotely or offline. With its advanced reporting and analytics, OpenLM empowers organizations to make data-driven decisions and improve license utilization.
Pros:
– Real-time license usage monitoring
– License borrowing feature
– Advanced reporting and analytics
Cons:
– May require technical expertise for setup and configuration
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-Use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belarc Advisor | Yes | Free | Medium | High |
| IT Asset Tool | Yes | Free, Premium plans available | Medium | High |
| Lansweeper | Yes | Pricing available on request | Medium | High |
| Snipe-IT | N/A | Free, self-hosted | Medium | Medium |
| SAManage | Yes | Pricing available on request | Easy | Medium |
| OpenLM | Yes | Pricing available on request | Medium | High |
Our Thoughts on Licensecrawler
Licensecrawler is a reliable software license management tool with a simple and straightforward interface. It efficiently retrieves license keys and serial numbers for installed software applications, making it ideal for businesses that need to manage licenses across multiple computers. However, Licensecrawler lacks some advanced features like network scanning and automated license tracking, which may be essential for larger organizations. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive license management solution, one of the alternatives mentioned above may better suit your needs.
5 FAQs about Licensecrawler
Q1: Is Licensecrawler compatible with Mac operating systems?
A: No, Licensecrawler is currently only available for Windows operating systems.
Q2: Can Licensecrawler retrieve license information for web-based software applications?
A: Licensecrawler is primarily designed to retrieve license keys for locally installed software on your computer. It may not be able to fetch license information for web-based applications.
Q3: Does Licensecrawler offer any reporting capabilities?
A: Licensecrawler provides basic CSV export functionality, allowing you to generate reports based on the retrieved license information. However, it does not offer advanced reporting features like some of the alternative license management tools mentioned in this article.
Q4: Can I use Licensecrawler to track licenses on a network?
A: Licensecrawler is a client-based tool that scans individual computers. It does not offer network scanning capabilities. If you need to track licenses across a network, consider using one of the alternative license management tools mentioned in this article.
Q5: Is Licensecrawler free to use?
A: Yes, Licensecrawler is free for personal and commercial use.
In Conclusion
Managing software licenses is crucial for businesses, ensuring compliance and avoiding legal consequences. While Licensecrawler is a popular choice for retrieving license keys, there are several alternatives available that offer more advanced features and functionalities. Depending on your specific requirements, one of the alternatives mentioned in this article may better suit your needs. Whether you choose Belarc Advisor for detailed hardware and software inventory or OpenLM for real-time license usage monitoring, these tools will help streamline your license management process and keep your software licenses in check.