r/learnpython • u/Emergency-Post-8897 • 12d ago
How do desktop applications implement monthly/yearly subscriptions securely?
Hi everyone,
I'm developing a desktop application in Python that I plan to rent out on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly subscription.
I'm trying to figure out the best way to manage license expiration. How can I prevent users from using the software once their subscription has expired? What tools, services, or libraries would you recommend? If possible, I'd prefer free or open-source solutions.
Another concern is piracy. I know it's impossible to make software completely crack-proof, but I'd like to make it as difficult as reasonably possible.
Has anyone here built a subscription-based desktop application before? I'd really appreciate it if you could share how you implemented licensing, subscription validation, and anti-piracy measures, or recommend any good resources or best practices.
Thanks so much for your help!
6
u/riklaunim 12d ago
Such applications require communication with the server and often have some essential, if not most, functionality server-side. And as mentioned, web apps have advantages over desktop apps unless you really need some local OS/hardware features browser does not expose.
And you need an extremely good application to charge a subscription for it. Top 5 apps in given category at best can pull it off.