Is Microsoft C++ Build Tools - Visual Studio free for commercial use

Question

Is Microsoft C++ Build Tools - Visual Studio free for commercial use

Ksandr Yas 0

Hello.

Please help.

We need to use in our organization Microsoft C++ Build Tools - Visual Studio for Python Library usage in Python. This library demands Microsoft C++ Build Tools for usage.

Can we use Microsoft C++ Build Tools for free for commercial usage in this case ( just for usage of Python Library, not for development) if our organization is more than 250 PCs or users and (b) one million U.S. dollars (or the equivalent in other currencies) in annual revenues

And what should we do to use Microsoft C++ Build Tools Visual Studio in commercial purposes?

Thaks in advance

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Answer 1

Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,436 Microsoft External Staff

Hello @Ksandr Yas,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

Here’s some information for you to refer to:

Updates to Visual Studio Build Tools license for C and C++ Open-Source projects

Visual Studio Build Tools (VSBT) can now be used for compiling open-source C++ dependencies from source without requiring a Visual Studio license, even when you are working for an enterprise on a commercial or closed-source project.

As noted above, if you and your team need to compile and develop proprietary C++ code with Visual Studio, a Visual Studio license will still be required.

License Terms | Microsoft Diagnostic Build Tools for Visual Studio 2022 – Visual Studio

1/d. Separately, if you don’t have a valid license to any of the Visual Studio Products you may still install and use copies of the software to compile and build C++ components that (i) have been released by a third party under an open-source software license approved by the Open Source Initiative; and (ii) are also reasonably required to build your applications ("Open Source Dependencies").

Sincerely,

Tianyu

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Ksandr Yas 0 Reputation points

2024-05-22T08:09:16.5833333+00:00

Hello, Tianyu Sun-MSFT.

Good afternoon. Thanks for the comment. Can you please clarify the following point:

For example, if your Node.js application depends on npm native modules like sqllite3, bufferutil, etc., in order to successfully install these npm packages on Windows, you will need to use Visual Studio Build Tools. Previously, if the application you were developing was not OSS, installing VSBT was permitted only if you had a valid Visual Studio license (e.g., Visual Studio Community or higher). With this new license option, if you do not need the full functionality of Visual Studio for your active development of your project, you have the flexibility to install Visual Studio Build Tools for free.

It says here that with the new license terms, if you do not require the full functionality of Visual Studio, you have the opportunity to install Visual Studio Build Tools for free.

We do not need the full functionality of Visual Studio to develop applications. But at the same time, there is a point: "As noted above, if you and your team need to compile and develop proprietary C++ code with Visual Studio, a Visual Studio license will still be required."

Thus, please clarify whether we can still use Visual Studio Build Tools for free in case we only need it to use the Python library and not to use the full functionality of Visual Studio, or even in this case we need to purchase a paid Visual Studio license

Thank you
Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,436 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-05-22T09:01:20.67+00:00

Hello @Ksandr Yas,

Good afternoon.

I think the key is whether you and your team need to compile and develop proprietary C++ code(for active C++ development). Can you confirm this?
Ksandr Yas 0 Reputation points

2024-05-24T08:01:18.2533333+00:00

Good day, Tianyu.

Out team won't compile and develop proprietary C++ code(for active C++ development)
Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,436 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-05-24T12:58:56.3866667+00:00

Good day, Ksandr.

Thanks for your confirmation.

Then I think you can use it without needing a paid VS license.

Please also kindly double confirm this by emailing Visual C++ Team => visualcpp@microsoft.com.
Ksandr Yas 0 Reputation points

2024-05-27T07:12:10.95+00:00

Good day, Tianyu.

Please forgive me

In my confirmation message I missed to add "with Visual Studio"

So "our team won't compile and develop proprietary C++ code(for active C++ development) with Visual Studio"

Would you be so kind to say if we can use Visual Studio Build Tools for free if our team won't compile and develop proprietary C++ code(for active C++ development) with Visual Studio"?

Thank you
Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,436 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-05-27T08:02:36.65+00:00

Hi @Ksandr Yas,

Good day!

Actually, Marian mentioned the similar/same thing in this blog: New License Benefits

… this change now allows you to use Visual Studio Build Tools to compile and build any C++ 3rd party open-source dependencies, without needing a paid Visual Studio license, when you’re not using Visual Studio for active C++ development.

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Is Microsoft C++ Build Tools - Visual Studio free for commercial use

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