15 Free Apps to Track Software Licenses 2025

Software license management has become a critical concern for businesses of all sizes. With the average organization using hundreds of software applications, tracking licenses manually becomes virtually impossible. Compliance violations can result in hefty fines, while unused licenses drain valuable budget resources.

The good news is that numerous free tools can help you regain control of your software inventory. This comprehensive guide explores the top free applications for tracking software licenses, helping you maintain compliance while optimizing costs.

Why Software License Tracking Matters More Than Ever

Modern businesses rely on dozens or even hundreds of software applications. From productivity suites to specialized industry tools, each application comes with specific licensing terms that organizations must follow. Failing to track these licenses properly creates several serious risks.

Compliance violations represent the most immediate threat. Software vendors regularly conduct audits, and organizations without proper license tracking often face significant penalties. License management keeps your organization compliant with the terms that govern the software you use. These audits can result in fines ranging from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the scale of non-compliance.

Financial waste represents another major concern. Organizations frequently purchase more licenses than needed or fail to reclaim licenses from departing employees. Without proper tracking, companies continue paying for unused subscriptions while potentially purchasing additional licenses they already own.

Security risks also increase when organizations lose track of their software inventory. Unmanaged applications may not receive security updates, creating vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Proper license tracking ensures all software remains current and secure.

Top Free Software License Tracking Tools

1. Snipe-IT

Snipe-IT stands out as one of the most comprehensive free asset management solutions available. This is web-based software that runs on any Mac OSX, any flavor of Linux, as well as Windows, and has a Docker image available. The platform provides complete asset lifecycle management, including detailed software license tracking capabilities.

The tool excels at managing software licenses alongside hardware assets. Users can track license keys, expiration dates, and assignment details with ease. The web-based interface makes it accessible from anywhere, while the open-source nature ensures no licensing costs.

Snipe-IT's reporting features help organizations identify unused licenses and plan for renewals. The system generates alerts for upcoming expirations, preventing unexpected compliance issues. The active development community ensures regular updates and new features.

Key Features:

• Complete asset lifecycle management
• Software license key storage
• Automated renewal alerts
• Web-based access from any device
• Custom fields for specialized tracking
• Detailed reporting and analytics

Best For: Organizations needing comprehensive asset management with strong license tracking capabilities.

2. GLPI (Gestionnaire Libre de Parc Informatique)

GLPI offers enterprise-grade IT asset management capabilities at no cost. GLPI is a Free Asset and IT Management Software package, Data center management, ITIL Service Desk, licenses tracking and software auditing. This French-developed solution provides robust license tracking alongside helpdesk and inventory management features.

The software integrates license management with broader IT service management workflows. Organizations can track software installations, monitor compliance status, and generate comprehensive audit reports. The ITIL-aligned approach ensures best practices in IT service delivery.

GLPI's license tracking module handles complex licensing scenarios, including volume licenses, concurrent user agreements, and subscription-based software. The system maintains detailed records of license purchases, assignments, and usage patterns.

Key Features:

• ITIL-compliant service desk integration
• Comprehensive software auditing
• Multi-location license tracking
• Automated discovery capabilities
• Detailed compliance reporting
• Plugin ecosystem for extensions

Best For: Organizations requiring enterprise-grade features with ITIL compliance.

3. OpenLM

OpenLM specializes in engineering and scientific software license management. OpenLM's software license management tool helps organizations easily streamline their engineering & scientific software licenses. The platform focuses on concurrent license optimization for expensive specialized software.

Engineering software often uses concurrent licensing models where organizations pay for simultaneous users rather than individual installations. OpenLM excels at monitoring these licenses in real-time, ensuring optimal utilization while preventing overuse violations.

The tool provides detailed usage analytics, helping organizations make informed decisions about license purchases. Users can identify peak usage periods, underutilized licenses, and potential cost savings opportunities.

Key Features:

• Real-time concurrent license monitoring
• Usage analytics and reporting
• License denial prevention
• Cost optimization recommendations
• Integration with major license servers
• Historical usage tracking

Best For: Organizations with significant investments in engineering or scientific software.

4. ManageEngine AssetExplorer (Free Edition)

ManageEngine offers a free edition of their popular asset management platform. ManageEngine AssetExplorer is a web-based IT asset management tool that offers extensive software license tracking capabilities. The free version supports up to 250 assets, making it suitable for small to medium-sized organizations.

The platform provides comprehensive license lifecycle management, from procurement through disposal. Users can track license purchases, monitor compliance status, and generate audit reports. The web-based interface ensures accessibility from any location.

Integration capabilities allow AssetExplorer to work with existing IT infrastructure. The system can import data from Active Directory and other sources, reducing manual data entry requirements.

Key Features:

• Web-based asset management
• License compliance monitoring
• Audit trail maintenance
• Purchase order integration
• Automated discovery options
• Customizable reporting

Best For: Small to medium organizations needing professional-grade features with no upfront cost.

5. InvGate Asset Management (Community Edition)

InvGate provides a community edition of their asset management platform with robust license tracking features. InvGate Asset Management is an IT Asset Management solution with powerful software license tracking capabilities. The no-code approach makes it accessible to users without technical expertise.

The platform offers multiple deployment options, including cloud, on-premise, and hybrid configurations. This flexibility allows organizations to maintain their preferred security and compliance posture while benefiting from modern asset management capabilities.

InvGate's license tracking module handles complex scenarios including software bundles, upgrade paths, and maintenance agreements. The intuitive interface simplifies license management for non-technical users.

Key Features:

• No-code configuration approach
• Multiple deployment options
• Intuitive user interface
• Complex license scenario support
• Automated discovery capabilities
• Comprehensive reporting suite

Best For: Organizations seeking user-friendly license management without technical complexity.

6. SolarWinds Service Desk (Free Trial)

While primarily a paid solution, SolarWinds offers extended free trials and limited free versions. Service Desk helps you track and manage software installed across all of your assets with up-to-date records of software used by your employees. The platform integrates license management with broader IT service delivery.

SolarWinds excels at automated software discovery, reducing the manual effort required to maintain accurate inventories. The system can scan network-connected devices and identify installed software automatically.

The license management module tracks compliance status and generates alerts for upcoming renewals or violations. Integration with procurement systems streamlines the license acquisition process.

Key Features:

• Automated software discovery
• Compliance monitoring and alerts
• Service desk integration
• Custom contract management
• Vendor relationship tracking
• Renewal notification system

Best For: Organizations willing to evaluate comprehensive paid solutions through extended trials.

7. Lansweeper (Free Version)

Lansweeper offers a free version supporting up to 100 assets, providing powerful network discovery and asset management capabilities. The platform specializes in automated software detection across Windows, Mac, and Linux environments.

The software discovery engine identifies installed applications, versions, and license keys automatically. This automation significantly reduces the manual effort required to maintain accurate software inventories.

Lansweeper's reporting engine generates detailed compliance reports and identifies potential license violations. The system can track both commercial software and open-source components.

Key Features:

• Automated network discovery
• Multi-platform software detection
• License key extraction
• Compliance reporting
• Security vulnerability tracking
• Custom reporting capabilities

Best For: Organizations needing automated discovery with strong reporting capabilities.

8. License Dashboard

License Dashboard provides straightforward license tracking focused on simplicity and ease of use. License Dashboard is one of the most sought after choices for license management. The platform emphasizes user-friendly interfaces over complex feature sets.

The tool focuses on essential license tracking functions: recording purchases, tracking assignments, and monitoring expiration dates. This simplified approach makes it ideal for organizations without dedicated IT staff.

Web-based access ensures the platform works on any device with a browser. The straightforward design reduces training requirements and speeds user adoption.

Key Features:

• Simple, intuitive interface
• Essential license tracking functions
• Web-based accessibility
• Minimal training requirements
• Cost-effective operation
• Quick deployment

Best For: Small organizations needing basic license tracking without complexity.

9. Spiceworks Inventory

Spiceworks provides free IT management tools supported by an advertising model. The inventory module includes software license tracking capabilities alongside hardware asset management.

The platform automatically discovers software installations across the network, building comprehensive inventories without manual data entry. The community-driven approach provides extensive user support and knowledge sharing.

Integration with other Spiceworks tools creates a complete IT management ecosystem at no cost. The advertising-supported model ensures ongoing development and support.

Key Features:

• Automated software discovery
• Community support ecosystem
• Integration with other tools
• Network-wide inventory scanning
• License compliance tracking
• Free ongoing updates

Best For: Organizations comfortable with advertising-supported tools seeking comprehensive IT management.

10. OCS Inventory NG

Open Computer and Software Inventory Next Generation (OCS Inventory NG) provides enterprise-grade inventory management as an open-source solution. The platform excels at automated software discovery and license tracking across large networks.

The agent-based architecture enables detailed software inventory collection from managed endpoints. Administrators can track software installations, versions, and usage patterns across the entire organization.

OCS Inventory NG's license management module handles complex scenarios including volume licenses, concurrent users, and site-based agreements. The open-source nature ensures no licensing costs regardless of scale.

Key Features:

• Agent-based inventory collection
• Large-scale network support
• Complex license scenario handling
• Open-source flexibility
• Detailed software tracking
• Enterprise scalability

Best For: Large organizations requiring enterprise-scale capabilities without licensing costs.

11. FOSSology

FOSSology specializes in open-source license compliance and analysis. FOSSA automates open source license compliance with intelligent scanning, policy enforcement, and attribution documents. The platform helps organizations understand and manage open-source software licenses within their environments.

The tool analyzes codebases and identifies open-source components along with their associated licenses. This capability proves essential for organizations developing software products or using extensive open-source components.

FOSSology generates compliance reports and identifies potential license conflicts before they create legal issues. The platform supports various scanning methods and integrates with development workflows.

Key Features:

• Open-source license analysis
• Codebase scanning capabilities
• License conflict detection
• Compliance report generation
• Development workflow integration
• Legal risk mitigation

Best For: Software development organizations with significant open-source usage.

12. Ralph

Ralph provides comprehensive data center asset management including software license tracking. The platform originated from Allegro's internal needs and evolved into a full-featured open-source solution.

The system handles both physical and virtual assets, tracking software installations across diverse environments. License management integrates with procurement workflows and financial systems.

Ralph's architecture supports custom integrations and extensions, allowing organizations to tailor the platform to specific requirements. The active development community ensures ongoing improvements.

Key Features:

• Data center asset focus
• Physical and virtual asset support
• Procurement integration
• Custom extension capabilities
• Active development community
• Comprehensive asset lifecycle

Best For: Organizations with significant data center operations requiring comprehensive asset management.

13. Device42

Device42 offers a free version of their IT infrastructure management platform with limited functionality. The software provides automated discovery and comprehensive asset tracking including software licenses.

The platform's strength lies in its discovery capabilities, automatically mapping IT infrastructure and identifying software installations. This automation reduces manual effort while improving inventory accuracy.

License tracking integrates with broader infrastructure management, providing context for software deployments and usage patterns.

Key Features:

• Automated infrastructure discovery
• Comprehensive asset mapping
• Software installation tracking
• Infrastructure context integration
• Limited free version available
• Professional upgrade path

Best For: Organizations needing infrastructure-focused asset management with license tracking components.

14. Apptivo Asset Management

Apptivo includes asset management capabilities within their business management suite. Apptivo is one of the necessary tools to take your license management process to the next level. The platform provides basic license tracking alongside other business functions.

The integrated approach allows organizations to manage software licenses within the broader context of business operations. Financial tracking connects license costs with budgeting and procurement processes.

Web-based access and mobile applications ensure license information remains accessible regardless of location or device.

Key Features:

• Business suite integration
• Financial tracking connection
• Web and mobile access
• Basic license management
• Multi-functional platform
• Affordable scaling options

Best For: Small businesses seeking integrated business management with license tracking components.

15. Reftab

Reftab provides comprehensive asset tracking with strong license management capabilities. Reftab, Forbes' top asset platform for IT, tracks hardware, software, automates license management, and more. The platform emphasizes ease of use while providing enterprise-grade functionality.

The system automates many license management tasks, including renewal notifications and compliance monitoring. Integration capabilities allow Reftab to work with existing IT infrastructure and workflows.

Mobile applications ensure asset and license information remains accessible for field technicians and remote workers.

Key Features:

• Automated license management
• Mobile application support
• Integration capabilities
• User-friendly interface
• Enterprise functionality
• Forbes recognition

Best For: Organizations requiring professional license management with strong mobile support.

Implementation Best Practices for License Tracking

Successful license tracking requires more than just installing software. Organizations must develop comprehensive strategies that address people, processes, and technology components.

Establish Clear Ownership

Assign specific individuals responsibility for license management activities. This ownership ensures accountability and prevents important tasks from falling through organizational cracks. Designate primary and backup personnel to maintain continuity during absences or personnel changes.

License managers should possess both technical knowledge and business acumen. They need to understand licensing terms while making cost-effective decisions that support organizational objectives.

Develop Standard Processes

Create standardized processes for software procurement, deployment, and retirement. These processes should include license tracking requirements and compliance checkpoints. Document procedures clearly to ensure consistency regardless of personnel changes.

Procurement processes should require license tracking updates before software purchases. This requirement prevents duplicate purchases and ensures accurate inventory maintenance.

Regular Audit Cycles

Schedule regular license audits to verify compliance and identify optimization opportunities. These audits should compare actual installations with purchased licenses, identifying both over-deployment and unused licenses.

Audit frequency depends on organizational size and software complexity. Smaller organizations might conduct quarterly reviews, while larger enterprises may require monthly or even continuous monitoring.

Integration Planning

Plan integration between license tracking tools and existing IT infrastructure. This integration reduces manual data entry while improving accuracy and timeliness of license information.

Common integration points include Active Directory for user information, procurement systems for purchase data, and deployment tools for installation tracking. API-based integrations often provide the most flexible and reliable connections.

Cost Optimization Strategies

Effective license tracking enables significant cost optimization beyond mere compliance. Organizations can identify numerous opportunities to reduce software spending while maintaining operational efficiency.

License Harvesting

Track departing employees and reclaim unused licenses promptly. Many organizations lose track of licenses assigned to terminated employees, continuing to pay for unused subscriptions indefinitely.

Automated workflows can streamline license recovery by triggering reclamation processes when employees leave. This automation ensures licenses become available for reassignment quickly.

Usage Analysis

Analyze actual software usage patterns to identify underutilized licenses. Many organizations purchase more licenses than needed based on projected rather than actual usage patterns.

Usage tracking reveals opportunities to reduce license counts during renewal periods. This analysis can result in significant cost savings, especially for expensive specialized software.

Consolidation Opportunities

Identify opportunities to consolidate software tools and reduce overall license requirements. Organizations often accumulate multiple tools with overlapping functionality over time.

License tracking provides visibility into actual software inventory, enabling informed decisions about consolidation opportunities. This visibility can reveal substantial cost reduction possibilities.

Future Trends in License Management

The software licensing landscape continues evolving rapidly, driven by cloud computing, subscription models, and increased regulatory scrutiny. Organizations must prepare for these changes to maintain effective license management.

Cloud-First Approaches

Cloud-based software delivery models are becoming dominant across most software categories. These models require different tracking approaches compared to traditional perpetual licenses.

Subscription licenses require ongoing monitoring of user counts and feature usage. Organizations must track consumption patterns to optimize subscription levels and avoid overage charges.

Automated Compliance

Advanced license tracking tools increasingly incorporate automated compliance monitoring and remediation. These capabilities reduce manual effort while improving compliance accuracy.

Machine learning algorithms can identify usage patterns and predict compliance risks before they materialize. This predictive capability enables proactive management rather than reactive problem-solving.

Integration Expansion

License tracking tools continue expanding integration capabilities with broader IT management ecosystems. These integrations provide more comprehensive visibility while reducing administrative overhead.

API-first architectures enable custom integrations with organization-specific tools and workflows. This flexibility ensures license tracking tools can adapt to unique organizational requirements.

Conclusion

Free software license tracking applications provide powerful capabilities for organizations of all sizes. From comprehensive platforms like Snipe-IT and GLPI to specialized tools like OpenLM, numerous options exist to meet diverse organizational needs.

The key to success lies in matching tool capabilities with organizational requirements and implementing comprehensive management processes. Effective license tracking requires more than just software installation; it demands organizational commitment to maintaining accurate inventories and following established procedures.

Regular evaluation and optimization ensure license tracking efforts continue providing value as organizational needs evolve. The investment in proper license management pays dividends through improved compliance, reduced costs, and better operational visibility.

Start with a thorough assessment of current license management challenges, then select tools that address specific pain points while providing room for growth. With proper planning and implementation, free license tracking tools can deliver enterprise-grade capabilities without the associated costs.

The time to implement effective license tracking is now, before compliance issues or cost overruns create urgent problems. These free tools provide the foundation for professional license management that protects organizations while optimizing software investments.