The free Cryptolens alternative
for software licensing
License keys, hardware-ID and multi-device binding, user accounts, sessions with an instant remote kill-switch, and over-the-air updates — one REST API, an official .NET package, and no per-seat or per-request bill.
Licensing without the per-seat bill
Cryptolens is a mature licensing platform with a strong .NET story and a free tier that grows into paid plans as your customer count does. PWF Auth solves the same core problem — issuing and validating keys, locking them to machines, authenticating users, and shipping updates — and stays free at every size. If your licensing cost scales with your success and you'd rather it didn't, this is the trade you're looking at.
PWF Auth vs Cryptolens
Both are hosted licensing services with .NET SDKs. Here is where they differ — including two rows where Cryptolens is ahead.
| Capability | PWF Auth | Cryptolens |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 100% free, all features, forever | Free tier, then paid plans |
| Cost as your customer count grows | Stays free | Scales with usage/plan |
| License keys (expiry, ban, extend) | Yes | Yes |
| HWID / machine locking | Yes | Yes (node-locked) |
| Multiple devices per key (tracked) | Yes, per-device tracking | Yes |
| Offline activation | No — online validation only | Yes, signed license files |
| Floating / concurrent licences | Not yet | Yes |
| User accounts + social login | Yes (Google, Telegram) | See vendor |
| Session heartbeat + instant kill-switch | Yes, revoked clients stop in seconds | See vendor |
| OTA app updates / releases | Yes, built in | See vendor |
| Encrypted API envelope (AES + HMAC) | Yes | Signed responses |
| Official .NET package | Yes (PWFAuth on NuGet) | Yes |
| One-file SDKs (Py, C#, VB, C++, JS) | Yes, generated in-dashboard | Client libraries |
| CSV import / export, no lock-in | Yes, both directions | See vendor |
| Self-hosting | On the roadmap | See vendor |
Comparison reflects PWF Auth's own capabilities and publicly available information about Cryptolens as of August 2026. Third-party features and pricing change — always verify current details on the vendor's own site.
Why developers pick PWF Auth
The reasons teams move over from a paid or limited licensing service.
Free at any scale
Your licensing bill does not grow with your customer list. No per-seat pricing, no per-request billing, no feature paywall — the hundredth customer costs exactly what the first one did.
First-class .NET
An official PWFAuth NuGet package for .NET Framework 4.6.2+, VB.NET WinForms, and modern .NET — plus one-file SDKs for Python, C#, C++, and JavaScript generated straight from your dashboard.
Kill-switch + updates
Revoke a key and connected clients stop within seconds, not at next launch. Ship new builds through the same API with over-the-air releases.
No lock-in
Bulk CSV import brings your existing keys in; bulk export takes them out again whenever you want. Your customer data stays yours.
Moving from Cryptolens
Three steps, no rebuild.
Export your keys
Export your existing licenses to CSV from your current dashboard.
Import in bulk
In PWF Auth, open your app's License Keys page and choose Import. Map your columns once and the whole file lands in a single pass.
Swap the SDK call
Add the PWFAuth NuGet package (or a generated one-file SDK), point it at your app, and validate on launch. The API reference documents every endpoint.
Cryptolens alternative — FAQ
The questions developers ask before switching.
Try the free alternative
Create a free account, generate your first keys, and integrate in an afternoon.
Also compare: PWF Auth vs KeyAuth · PWF Auth vs Keygen · License keys for .NET