This article explains how NoMachine software and NoMachine Network licensing work together in a typical remote support scenario, and how to choose the right setup for a team of three technicians supporting customers remotely.

1. The NoMachine Software Stack

NoMachine provides both free and enterprise software components, which can be combined flexibly depending on who is connecting, how connections are made, and whether a machine must act as a server. By server, we mean the target computer which is going to accept incoming connections.

Customer Side: NoMachine Free Edition

Your customers can install the free edition of NoMachine on their computers at no cost.

    • Includes the server component
    • Allows unattended access 
    • Accepts connections from support technicians 
    • Can be reached via IP address or Machine Id 
    
So, no software subscription required and ideal for customer machines.

Technician Side: Enterprise Client (EC) or Enterprise Desktop (ED)

Support technicians typically use one of the following:

Enterprise Client (EC)

    • Client-only software 
    • Provides the full connection interface 
    • Used exclusively to connect to remote machines (outgoing connections only)
    
No software subscription required, best when technicians only need to initiate connections, lightweight and simple.

Enterprise Desktop (ED)

    • Includes both client and server
    • Allows technicians to connect to customers and accept incoming connections on their own machines 
    • Suitable when technicians need permanent remote access to their own systems 
    
Installing and using Enterprise Desktop requires a NoMachine Enterprise Desktop software subscription. This requirement is independent of NoMachine Network usage:

    • The Enterprise Desktop Subscription covers the software itself 
    • It applies even if ED is used only over IP 
    • It is separate from any Network subscription 
 

2. IP Connections vs Machine Id Connections

How a connection is made determines whether NoMachine Network, and therefore a Network subscription, is involved.

Connecting via IP Address 

All NoMachine editions can connect directly using a plain IP address.

    • No NoMachine Network involved 
    • No Network login required 
    • No Network subscription required 
    • Connections over IP do NOT count toward any NoMachine Network connection total 
    
You can start any number of IP-based connections, unlimited concurrent IP connections are allowed, this applies even when using an Enterprise server product as your client. This method is ideal for:

    • LAN or VPN environments 
    • Preconfigured corporate networks 
    • Situations where routing and ports are already available 

Connecting via Machine Id (NoMachine Network)

When a technician enters a Machine Id instead of an IP address in the connection panel:

    • If not already logged in with their User Id in the player, the technician is prompted to log in to NoMachine Network 
    • The connection is routed through the Network service 
    • A NoMachine Network subscription is required 

This approach eliminates the need for any router port forwarding, VPNs, or firewall configuration and is ideal for Internet-based support.

3. The Network Subscription Applies to the User, Not the Software

It is crucial to distinguish between software subscriptions and Network subscriptions. A NoMachine Network subscription:

    • Is required by the user initiating a Machine Id connection 
    • Is not tied to EC, ED, or the Free Edition (or any other NoMachine software)
    • Is activated only when the user logs in to NoMachine Network and starts a connection 
    
Installing NoMachine software alone does not require a Network subscription. The counting of Network connections begins when the user starts their first Machine Id connection from one of their devices.

4. How Network Connections Are Counted

NoMachine Network licensing is intentionally simple and predictable.

What is counted

    • The number of concurrent Network connections 
    • Started from one device 
    • By a logged-in user (logged in with their User Id in the NoMachine player)
    
What is not counted

    • Number of customer machines accessed 
    • Number of remote endpoints 
    • Number of NoMachine installations 
    • Number of devices a user owns 
    
You can

    • Access unlimited customer systems 
    • Switch between machines without limits 
    
as long as you stay within your concurrent Network connection allowance.

5. Licensing for a Team of Remote Support Technicians

In a typical remote support setup:

    • Customers run NoMachine Free Edition (or another NoMachine server product if they already have it)
    • Technicians can use EC or ED
    • Each technician connects over IP or over Machine Ids as needed
    
Software subscription requirements

    • EC -> is a free client software providing a minimal install
    • ED -> Enterprise Desktop software subscription required per installation 
    
Network subscription requirements

    • Each technician who connects via Machine Id needs a NoMachine Network subscription 

6. Choosing the Right Network Subscription Size

Network subscriptions are defined by concurrent connections from a given device:

    • 1 connection - lets you connect to one customer at a time 
    • 2+ connections - parallel troubleshooting or monitoring
    
Subscriptions are available for 1, 4, 8, 16, 32 concurrent NoMachine Network connections. If each technician supports one customer at a time, a 1 NoMachine Network Personal Subscription per technician is sufficient. If each technician wants to perform parallel troubleshooting, the Network subscription must have enough connections to allow it.

7. Summary

For a remote support team:

    • Customers can install NoMachine Free Edition     
    • Technicians install Enterprise Desktop (software subscription required)     
    • Technicians can install Enterprise Client if they prefer
    • Connections using IP address need no Network subscription 
    • Connections using the Machine Id require Login to NoMachine Network and a user-based Network subscription      
    • Network licensing is based solely on concurrent connections from one of the technician’s devices
    
This flexible model lets you choose the best way to connect in every situation, while keeping licensing clear, predictable, and easy to manage.