RouterOS license key levels

After installation RouterOS runs in trial mode. You have 24 hours to register for Level 1 (Free demo) or purchase a Level 4,5 or 6 license and paste a valid key.

[admin@MikroTik] /system license> print 
  software-id: TRPC-YYR2
   expires-in: 23h48m24s

Level 3 is a wireless station (client or CPE) only license. For x86 PCs, Level3 is not available for purchase individually.

Level 2 was a transitional license from old legacy (pre 2.8) license format. These licenses are not available any more, if you have this kind of license, it will work, but to upgrade it - you will have to purchase a new license.

The difference between license levels is shown in the table below: 

All Licenses:

• never expire (a running and licensed router can be used indefinitely)
• can use unlimited number of interfaces
• are for one installation each
• offer unlimited software upgrades (exception - demo license does not allow ROS version upgrade (started from 7.8))

CHR License Levels

License levels described until now do not apply to Cloud Hosted Routers (CHRs). CHR is a RouterOS version intended for running as a virtual machine. It has its own 4 license levels as well as trial where you can test any of the paid license levels for 60 days.

60-day free trial license is available for all paid license levels. To get the free trial license, you have to have an account on MikroTik.com as all license management is done there.

Perpetual is a lifetime license (buy once, use forever). It is possible to transfer a perpetual license to another CHR instance. A running CHR instance will indicate the time when it has to access the account server to renew it's license. If the CHR instance will not be able to renew the license it will behave as if the trial period has ran out and will not allow an upgrade of RouterOS to a newer version.

After licensing a running trial system, you must manually run the /system license renew command from the CHR to make it active. Otherwise the system will not know you have licensed it in your account. If you do not do this before the system deadline time, the trial will end and you will have to do a complete fresh CHR installation, request a new trial and then license it with the license you had obtained.

Prepaid Key

A Prepaid Key is a type of license key you can purchase in advance for MikroTik products, such as the CHR, or convert into a license key to apply to an x86 system's Software ID. It allows you to buy a license without immediately assigning it to a specific device. Once you have a Prepaid Key, you can use it to upgrade a CHR or later convert it into a license key by providing the device's Software ID.

How to Purchase a RouterOS license key

1. Go to mikrotik.com and log in to your account.

2. Access the "Purchase a RouterOS License Key" Section.

3. Choose the desired license Key Level;
4. Select Key Type "License key";

5. Enter License Key Information: Paste the Software ID of the device;

6. Select Optional Key Features:
   • Choose any additional features you might need for your key.
7. Press the "Place key in the cart" button.
8. Click "Proceed to checkout" to complete your purchase.

Review and Complete Your Purchase

• Review your order details.
• Proceed with payment using Credit Card (CC) or PayPal.

Congratulations! You have successfully purchased a RouterOS license key.

How to Convert prepaid key to licence key for x86

1. Purchase a RouterOS Prepaid Key

   • Log in to your mikrotik.com account.

   • Purchase a RouterOS Prepaid key if you haven't already.

2. Access the "Make a Key from Prepaid Key" Section

   • Navigate to the "Make a key from prepaid key" section in your account.

3. Select and Convert the Prepaid Key

   • Select the desired prepaid key from the list.

   • Input the Software ID of the x86 device you need to license, or the Software ID of the router to upgrade the licence level.

1. • Press "Generate".

2. Confirmation Message

   • A message will appear: "Successfully converted prepaid key to a new licence!".

1. Apply the License Key

   • Copy the generated license key.

   • Paste it into the x86 device to apply the license.

Congratulations! You have successfully converted a prepaid key to a license key for your x86 device.

Replacement Key

A Replacement Key is a special key issued by the MikroTik support team in case of an x86 HDD failure or if an x86 instance running RouterOS has lost its license. It costs $10 and can be issued once per original key.

Note that before issuing such key, MikroTik Support can ask you to prove that the old drive has failed, in some cases, this means sending us the dead drive.

Replacement key request

1) Go to your account management in mikrotik.com and fill the "support contact form" or write a direct e-mail to support@mikrotik.com

• Provide Required Information:

  • Clearly explain why a replacement key is needed.
  • Include the Old Software ID and the account under which it was registered.

2) Wait for Confirmation & Apply the Key:

• • After the MikroTik support team confirms that the Replacement key has been added to your account, check your account.
  • Navigate to "Make a key from replacement key" and proceed with the activation.

3) Select the appropriate license level on which you wish to perform the replacement

4) Enter the new "Software ID"

5) Proceed to checkout by pressing "Add license replacement to cart" and finish the payment

6) An e-mail will be sent to your profile containing the new license.

• You can also find the newly generated key in the section "Search and view all keys" under the folder "Purchased YYYY" where "YYYY" is the current Year

Obtaining Licenses and Working With Them

Where can I buy a RouterOS license key?

MikroTik devices come preinstalled with a license and no purchase is needed.

To obtain a higher level license, or to obtain a license for a x86 PC installation, you must register an account on our webpage, and in there, use the option Purchase a RouterOS license key.

If I have purchased my key elsewhere

You must contact the company who sold you the license, they will provide the support.

If I have a license and want to put it on another account?

You can give access to keys with the help of Virtual Folders

The only kind of licenses, that could be transferred to another Account is a prepaid key. Prepaid keys got as a gift from the Training are not transferable.
To transfer purchased prepaid key navigate to "Transfer prepaid keys" in the section "ROUTEROS KEYS" on your MikroTik Account.

If I have lost a license on my device?

If for some reason you have lost license from your router, upgrade router to the latest RouterOS version available and use "Request license key" in your mikrotik.com account. Use soft-id and serial number available under System/License menu in RouterOS when requesting license. Apply received license or contact support@mikrotik.com if request feature do not work.

Using the License

Can I Format or Re-Flash the drive?

Formatting, and Re-Imaging the drive with non-MikroTik tools (like DD and Fdisk) will destroy your license! Be very careful and contact MikroTik support before doing this. It is not recommended, as MikroTik support might deny your request for a replacement license. For this use MikroTik provided tools - Netinstall or CD-install that are freely available from our download page.

How many computers can I use the License on?

The RouterOS license can be used only in one system, at the same time. The License is bound to the HDD it is installed on, but you have the ability to move the HDD to another computer system. You cannot move the License to another HDD, neither can you format or overwrite the HDD with the RouterOS license. It will be erased from the drive, and you will have to get a new one. If you accidentally removed your license, contact the support team for help.

Can I temporary use the HDD for something else, other than RouterOS?

As stated above, no.

Can I move the license to another HDD?

If your current HDD drive is destroyed, or can no longer be used, it is possible to transfer the license to another HDD. You will have to request a replacement key (see below) which will cost 10$

Must I type the whole key into the router?

No, simply copy it and paste in the menu System → License → Paste Key and Confirm to reboot.

Or paste it to the CLI and press "Y" to reboot.

Can I install another OS on my drive and then install RouterOS again later?

No, because if you use formatting, partitioning utilities or tools that do something to the MBR, you will lose the license and you will have to make a new one. This process is not free (see Replacement Key above)

I lost my RouterBOARD, can you give me the license to use on another system?

MikroTik hardware comes with an embedded license. You cannot move this license to a new system in any way, this includes any upgrades applied to the MikroTik router while it was still working.

Licenses Purchased from Resellers

The keys that you purchase from other vendors and resellers are not in your account. Your mikrotik.com account only contains licenses purchased from MikroTik directly.

I am not using the software, can you terminate my license?

The licenses are stand alone keys and MikroTik does not have any remote control over your devices. Therefore, we are unable to verify if you use your license or not. This is why MikroTik cannot terminate any issued licenses.

Is this possible to upgrade or transfer my x86 license to a CHR license

It is not possible to upgrade the x86 license to a CHR license. You will need to purchase a new license for the CHR.