How to sell software license keys in WooCommerce

Before changing WooCommerce, decide whether each purchase gets a pre-generated key or a key created at checkout. Also define whether keys expire, how many installations each key allows, whether customers can deactivate a device, and how upgrades or renewals work.

If your app never contacts a licensing server, WooCommerce cannot enforce activation limits. You will need either an API in your software and store, or a licensing service that provides one.

Go to Products > Add New and create the item customers will buy. Mark it as Virtual if there is no physical delivery, and mark it as Downloadable if customers should receive an installer or archive. Add the price, product description and the software file.

WooCommerce sends downloadable files through the order email and, for logged-in customers, the account downloads area. Upload protected files through the product editor rather than relying on a public Media Library URL.

Open WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Downloadable products. Choose a download method, decide whether downloads require login, and decide whether access is granted after payment or only when the order reaches Completed.

This is a common Friday problem: a payment can succeed while an order remains in Processing, so a customer may receive neither the file nor the key when your rules wait for completion. Test the exact status produced by each payment gateway.

WooCommerce alone is suitable for a small catalogue of pre-generated keys only if you are prepared to assign and send each key yourself. Keep the key inventory in a controlled system, record which order received each key, and send it through the order email or a private order note.

This route does not automatically prevent reuse, count activations, revoke compromised keys or connect a key to your software. Once order volume grows, manual fulfilment becomes the part most likely to cause duplicate or missing keys.

For automatic key generation and activation tracking, install a licensing extension that adds those functions to WooCommerce. Configure its product identifier, key format or prefix, activation limit, expiry rules and customer email content. If you use pre-generated keys instead, import the key stock and enable stock-based assignment.

The WooCommerce Software Add-on is one option for this route. Its documented workflow adds a software product type, licence-key settings, order-level key records, activation reporting and API requests for software integration.

If your software checks licences, connect it to the add-on's API or to the licensing system you selected. Test a valid key, an invalid key, a key at its activation limit, a deactivated installation, an expired key and a revoked key. Also test renewal, refund and cancellation behaviour.

Place real test orders with the payment methods you offer. Confirm that the key is generated once, appears in the order, reaches the customer, activates in the software and remains available to support staff. Do not treat an emailed key as proof of activation; the software must verify it against the licensing service.