SIMATIC WinCC Open Architecture is available as a single-user runtime license, multi-user runtime license, Web Client license, and parameterization and development license. With SIMATIC WinCC Open Architecture the required license is determined, among other things, according to the number of inputs and outputs (I/O).

An "I/O" refers to a data point element (DPE) whose content is exchanged either by means of drivers (e.g. S7 driver communicates with a PLC), with other software systems. Internal data point elements, i.e. DPEs without communication to the outside, are not counted for licensing. The licenses are available either with an unlimited number of I/Os or with limitations of 500 to 250 000 I/Os.

The multi-user runtime license allows working simultaneously from different PCs, with the licensing taking place via the server. The active clients are then counted. The web client and the ultralight client enable the visualization and operation of process pictures over an exclusively HTTP connection between the server and the respective web client. The parameterization and development licenses extend a runtime license with the option of configuration and parameterization. They each require a server license.