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ID: AR04X01355
Applies to: NoMachine Licensing
Added on: 2026-04-20
Last Update: 2026-08-31

A practical licensing guide for remote support scenarios

This article explains how NoMachine software and NoMachine Network licensing work together in a typical remote assistance or helpdesk scenario, and how to choose the right setup for IT technicians supporting customers or employees remotely.
 
1. The NoMachine Software Stack
NoMachine provides both client-side and server-side software, 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. A NoMachine server can receive incoming connections over IP, or alternatively, over Machine Id (using the Network connection service).
 
Technician Side: 
Support technicians typically use one of the following to connect:
 
Enterprise Client (EC) which contains only the NoMachine Player - no activation or license required
 
    • Client-side only software 
    • Provides the full connection interface 
    • Used exclusively to connect to remote machines (outgoing connections only)
    • Can start unlimited over IP connections 
    • Can start Network connections using Machine Id
    • Best when technicians only need to initiate connections, lightweight and simple.
 

OR Enterprise Desktop (ED) or Personal Edition (PE) - if technician's machine is also used as a server, requires activation with a license

 
    • Includes both client and server components.
    • Allows technicians to connect to customers and accept incoming connections on their own machines.
    • Can be used to start unlimited over IP connections 
    • Can start Network connections using Machine Id
    • Suitable when technicians need permanent remote access to their own systems.
 
 

The Assisted User: Any NoMachine server
The assisted user can have any NoMachine server product installed and activated. The number of allowed incoming connections on a NoMachine server is governed by the product license. For example, the Personal Edition allows one incoming connection. The Enterprise family of servers allow more. The assisted end user will require the appropriate software package already installed and activated on their computer. This can be the Personal Edition or another server activated with a subscription.
 
Any of the server packages:
 
    • Includes the server component necessary which accepts incoming connections
    • Allows unattended access and attended access
    • Can be reached via IP address or Machine Id 
 
A software subscription:
 
             • Covers the software itself and activates the server component on the target server machine
             • Applies even if ED or PE is reached exclusively over IP
             • Applies even if ED or PE is reached exclusively over Machine Id

 
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. All NoMachine server editions can receive incoming over-IP connections.
 
    • 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 from NoMachine Player, unlimited concurrent IP connections are allowed. 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 UserId that is connecting, not the software
It is important 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 any NoMachine software
    • Counts the connection only when the user logs in to NoMachine Network and starts a connection 
    
Installing NoMachine software alone does not require a Network subscription. 
 
4. How Network connections are counted
NoMachine Network licensing is intentionally simple and predictable. The connections can be started from one device using the same User Id. The counting of Network connections begins when the user starts their first Machine Id connection from one of their devices. Multiple Network connections at the same time from multiple devices using the same User Id is not possible.
 
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 target machines or endpoints
    • Number of NoMachine installations 
    • Number of devices a user owns 
    
You can:
 
    • Access unlimited customer systems 
    • Switch between target machines without limits 
   
as long as you stay within your concurrent Network connection allowance. 
 
5. Requirements for Remote Support Technicians
In a typical remote support setup:
 
    • Technicians can use one of the free client products to connect, no subscription required
    • Each technician connects over IP or over Machine Ids as needed
        
If the technican connects using the Machine Id, they need:
 
   • A NoMachine account (User Id), AND
   • A NoMachine Network subscription.
 
Support technicians should verify beforehand with the end user being assisted that their NoMachine installation is activated correctly.
 
6. Choosing the right NoMachine 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 helpdesk or admin scenario:
 
    • Technicians can install one of the free clients in order to connect
    • The owner of the target computer can install the appropriate software according to their usage
    • Connections using IP address need no Network subscription 
    • Connections using the Machine Id require Login to NoMachine Network and a Network subscription assigned to the User Id of the person who wants to connect
    • Network licensing is based solely on concurrent connections from one of the logged in User Id'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.