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 SIMATIC WinCC Open Architecture servers (distributed systems), or with other software systems. Internal data point elements, i.e. DPEs without communication to the outside, are not counted for the licensing. The licenses are available either with unlimited number of I/Os or with limitations of 300 I/Os, 1000 I/Os, 5000 I/Os or 100000 I/Os.

A multi-user license can be installed on several PCs – only the number of simultaneously active clients is counted The Web Client enables the visualization and operation of process pictures over an exclusively HTTP connection between the server and the web client. The parameterization and development licenses extend a runtime license with the option of configuration and parameterization. They each require a server license.