When buying software, we often hear about OEM, Retail or Volume licensing — but what is the real difference? These three types of licenses have very different characteristics, uses and prices. AtFast Licenses, we explain everything to you to choose the license best suited to your situation at the best price.
🔩 What is an OEM license?
OEMmeansOriginal Equipment Manufacturer. These licenses are intended for PC manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) who pre-install them on their machines. They arepermanently linkedto the original hardware and cannot be transferred to another computer.
- ✅ Lowest price on the market
- ✅ Perfectly legal and activatable at Microsoft
- ✅ Functionally identical to Retail licenses
- ❌ Not transferable to another PC
- ❌ Support provided by the manufacturer, not Microsoft
🛒 What is a Retail license?
The licenseRetail(or box) is the general public version sold in stores or online. It is the most flexible: it can betransferred from one PC to anotherif you change computers. Ideal for independent professionals who regularly renew their equipment.
- ✅ Transferable to another PC
- ✅ Direct Microsoft support included
- ✅ Reactivable after hardware change
- ❌ Higher price than OEM
🏢 What is a Volume license?
LicensesVolumeare reserved for companies and organizations who need to equipseveral positionssimultaneously (generally 5 positions minimum). They allow centralized management via the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) and are offered in the form of subscriptions or perpetual licenses depending on the contract.
- ✅ Centralized management of all licenses
- ✅ Simplified mass deployment
- ✅ Decreasing prices depending on volume
- ✅ Access to Microsoft Enterprise support
- ❌ Minimum users required (5 licenses generally)
- ❌ More complex purchasing process than OEM or Retail
📊 OEM / Retail / Volume comparison
| Criterion | OEM | Retail | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ (volume) |
| Transferable | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ According to contract |
| Support | Manufacturer | Microsoft | Microsoft Enterprise |
| Target | New PC / Manufacturers | Individuals / SMEs | Companies 5+ positions |
| Central management | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ VLSC |
🎯 Which license to choose according to your profile?
→OEM License: optimal price, legal, functionally identical. Ideal if you don't plan to change your PC in the next few years.
→Retail License: transferable, you can reuse it on your next professional PC at no additional cost.
→Volume or OEM batch license: simplified management and decreasing prices. Contact Fast Licenses for a personalized multi-station quote.
⚖️ Are the licenses offered on Fast Licenses legal?
Yes, absolutely. All licenses available onFast Licensesare authentic and come from official distribution channels. They can be activated directly via Microsoft servers, benefit from the same updates that licenses purchased at full price and comply with current European legislation. If in doubt, our support team is available to assist you with your activation.
"I equipped my 8 workstations with OEM Windows 11 Pro licenses via Fast Licenses. Perfect activation on all PCs, delivery in less than 10 minutes. Value for money is unbeatable for an SME like ours."
Sophie L. — Director, Paris accounting firm🔐 Buy securely on Fast Licenses
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See our licenses →❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an OEM and Retail license?
An OEM license is tied to the hardware it is installed on and cannot be transferred. A Retail license is transferable from one PC to another, making it more flexible.
Is OEM licensing legal?
Yes, OEM licenses are perfectly legal and are even those used by major PC manufacturers like Dell, HP or Lenovo.
Can an OEM license be transferred?
No, an OEM license is permanently tied to the first computer it is activated on. If you change PCs, you will need a new license.
What is a Volume license and who is it for?
Volume licenses are intended for companies that equip several workstations simultaneously (minimum 5 in general). They offer centralized management via Microsoft VLSC and decreasing prices depending on the volume purchased.
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This article was written by the teamFast Licenses— software licensing experts since 2020.
Keywords: OEM license, retail license, volume license, software license type · © 2026 Fast Licenses
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