What is free, forever
HotWire4X installs and runs free of charge, with no time limit, for:
- designing and saving your projects;
- configuring your table;
- simulating and testing movements;
- accessing the library.
In this mode, the software performs no network communication. Nothing leaves your computer.
A license unlocks the production functions: those that command an actual cut — direct USB control of your machine, together with the display and export of command files, whatever their format (G-code or otherwise, depending on the interface you use).
This is deliberate: you can check that the software works on your computer, with your hardware, before paying anything.
Three licenses, depending on who you are
The software is the same in all three cases. What changes: who may buy the license, whether commercial use is allowed, and how many computers may have cutting activated at the same time.
| License | Who it is for | Computers |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | one person, for their own private non-commercial use | 1 or 2 at a time |
| Education and Non-Profit | schools, associations, clubs — non-profit organizations, non-commercial use | 3 at a time |
| Pro | any person or company, commercial use allowed | 5 at a time |
The Personal License comes in two versions: 1 computer, or 2 computers for home and workshop, with no deactivation needed.
One activity stays reserved, whatever the licence type: training people on the software for remuneration requires the publisher’s written agreement (Section 4 of the agreement). Any free training is allowed with no formalities, and schools, clubs and associations may train their own members and students as part of their activities.
Design stays free for everyone, with no license and no limit on the number of computers: only real cutting (USB control, display and export of the G-code) requires a license. That is why the number of computers only matters for the computers that drive a cut — club members can prepare their projects at home, for free.
If your situation changes — you start selling what you cut, or you want to use the software for the activities of an organization — you need the matching license. The details are in the license agreement, Section 3.
You know which one suits you?
Changing computers
A key activates on as many computers as your license allows, and requires an internet connection to activate. Note that this counts computers, not cutting machines.
You may install the software on more computers than that, for your own use, provided the production functions are activated on no more than the number your license allows.
To move to another machine: Help > License > Deactivate on the old one (internet connection required), then activate the same key on the new one. You can do this as often as you like.
When internet is required
At exactly two moments:
- At activation, once, when you enter your key.
- At least once every 30 days, for a verification to succeed.
In between, HotWire4X runs entirely offline. This is designed for workshops without network access.
In practice, the software quietly attempts a background verification as soon as the last one is more than 14 days old. If you are online even once a month, you will never see any of this.
Day 0 ───────────── Day 14 ────────────── Day 30 ──────────►
Active Active + background Verification
no network at all verification attempt required
Unlocked Unlocked Production
functions pausedA network outage is never a sanction
This is the principle that governs the whole mechanism.
- The server is unreachable (no wifi, timeout): you are not punished for a poor connection. The software falls back on counting days.
- After 30 days without verification, only the production functions pause. Nothing is lost: not your projects, not your license, not your settings. One connection, and everything returns.
What the software never sends
Not your projects, not your command files, not your machine settings, no hardware fingerprint, no usage statistics. The link between your license and your computer stays local: it is never transmitted.
Full details: Privacy Policy.
Updates included
Your license covers all 6.x versions, patches and minor releases included, with no time limit. A later major version (7.0.0 and above) may require an additional payment.
What if the verification service changes one day?
It may be replaced or entrusted to another provider. In that case, a software update may be required for your license to remain verifiable — it will be provided free of charge to holders of a valid license.
See Section 11 of the End User License Agreement.
Trouble activating?
contact@hotwire4x.com — please include your order number and the message displayed by the software.