1. IronPDF
  2. How-Tos
  3. License Keys

IronPDF License Keys

Get Your License Key

IronPDF license keys allow you to deploy your project live without any watermark.

Licenses start at just $749 and include one free year of support and updates.

You can also try IronPDF free for 30 days with a trial license key.

Step 1: Download the Latest Version of IronPDF

C# NuGet Library for PDF

Install with NuGet

Install-Package IronPdf
nuget.org/packages/IronPdf/
or
C# PDF DLL

Download DLL

Download DLL

Manually install into your project

Install via NuGet

In Visual Studio, right click on your project solution explorer and select "Manage NuGet Packages...". From there simply search for IronPDF and install the latest version... click ok to any dialog boxes that come up.

This will work in any C# .NET Framework project from Framework 4 and above, or .NET Core 2 and above. It will also work just as well in VB.NET projects.

PM > Install-Package IronPdf

https://www.nuget.org/packages/IronPdf

Install via DLL

Alternatively, the IronPDF DLL can be downloaded and manually installed to the project or GAC from https://ironpdf.com/packages/IronPdf.zip

Remember to add this statement to the top of any cs class file using IronPDF:

  using IronPdf;

Step 2: Apply Your License Key

Set your IronPdf license key using code

Add this code to the startup of your application, before IronPDF is used. This method is universally effective and straightforward.

It works for .NET Core and also for .NET Framework applications.

IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01";
IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01";
IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01"
VB   C#

You can validate that your software is licensed using either IronPdf.License.IsValidLicense(string LicenseKey) or the IronPdf.License.IsLicensed property.

Set your key using Web.Config or App.Config in .NET Framework Applications

To apply a key globally to your application using Web.Config or App.Config, add the following key to your config file in appSettings.

<configuration>
....
  <appSettings>
    <add key="IronPdf.LicenseKey" value="IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01"/>
  </appSettings>
....
</configuration>
XML

Setting license key in web.config issue

There is a known licensing issue: in ASP.NET projects targeted .NET framework version >= 4.6.2. The key stored in a web.config file will NOT be picked up and used by the product.

To work around this issue it is recommended to read license key using ConfigurationManager from web.config in the code and apply it to the License.LicenseKey.

Example:

With the above XML file, we can use ConfigurationManager to retrieve and pass the license key value to IronPdf.License.LicenseKey property.

using System.Configuration;

string licenseKey = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["IronPdf.LicenseKey"];

IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = licenseKey;
using System.Configuration;

string licenseKey = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["IronPdf.LicenseKey"];

IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = licenseKey;
Imports System.Configuration

Private licenseKey As String = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings("IronPdf.LicenseKey")

IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = licenseKey
VB   C#

Ensure that IronPdf.License.IsLicensed returns true to verify.

Set your key using a .NET Core appsettings.json file

To apply a key globally to your application with .NET Core:

  • Add a JSON file to your project called appsettings.json in the root directory of your project
  • Add a 'IronPdf.LicenseKey' key to your JSON config file. The value should be your license key.
  • Ensure that the file properties include Copy to Output Directory: Copy always
  • Ensure that IronPdf.License.IsLicensed returns true to verify.

File: appsettings.json

{

    "IronPdf.LicenseKey":"IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01"

}

Set your key in Azure Functions

Local

Add the license key into local.settings.json:

{
  "IsEncrypted": false,
  "Values":
  {
    "AzureWebJobsStorage": "UseDevelopmentStorage=true",
    "FUNCTIONS_WORKER_RUNTIME": "dotnet",
    "IronPdf.LicenseKey": "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY"
  }
}

Deployment

  1. Go to the Azure portal and sign in to your Azure account. In the search bar at the top of the portal, enter the name of your function app and select it from the list.

  2. Under Settings in the left pane, select Configuration.

  3. Select Application settings and click New Application setting.

  4. Add Name and Value as the following:

    Name - IronPdf.LicenseKey

    Value - YOUR-LICENSE-KEY

  5. Save it.

Step 3: Test if your key has been installed correctly

// Check if a given license key string is valid.
bool result = IronPdf.License.IsValidLicense("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

// Check if IronPdf is licensed successfully 
bool is_licensed = IronPdf.License.IsLicensed;
// Check if a given license key string is valid.
bool result = IronPdf.License.IsValidLicense("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

// Check if IronPdf is licensed successfully 
bool is_licensed = IronPdf.License.IsLicensed;
' Check if a given license key string is valid.
Dim result As Boolean = IronPdf.License.IsValidLicense("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01")

' Check if IronPdf is licensed successfully 
Dim is_licensed As Boolean = IronPdf.License.IsLicensed
VB   C#

Note: After adding a license always remember to clean and republish you application to avoid potential mistakes in deployment.

Step 4: Get started with your project

Follow our tutorial on how to Get Started with IronPDF.

Questions?

If you have any questions, reach out to sales@ironsoftware.com