Thoughts on Ilok?

[spigmu]

For me, the worst thing is that it's another party layered into a product. I get that many developers can't or don't want to deal with the maintenance of copy protection so they farm it out. I'm sure many of the key file or web site validation or etc ones that are more integrated into the purchase are not made by the developer, and these days even someone is given the job of running or updating or maintaining the developer website. There just aren't enough hours in the day or people in the company. And my problem isn't that it adds to the cost so that what the site says isn't what the end price is. As soon as you see "iLok" you can just do the math and re-prioritize your options if necessary. But I dislike that it's a totally separate entity that you have to deal with, another layer of 3rd party, so any problems you have to take up with them, not the developer of this plugin you just bought. Maybe I'm still smarting from the PACE of the '80s where the customer was always wrong. Now that you can use online and machine auths rather than a dongle it's a better landscape.

BUT the truth is that the online authorizing, when you have more than one computer, does not function the way you assume it will (and you have to assume because it's not part of the dev FAQ). Have a laptop that was stolen or smashed? I don't know how they do it now, but a few years ago it was all misery and more $$$ when I needed to move auths off of those scenarios to my new computers. Oh, I should have had dongles for those situations? Sure, but why offer dongle-free options if you can't do what any other company does, which is move an auth from a no longer existing computer, still in your account, to a new computer. Simple, and not adding or cloning licenses, just moving from a not accessible computer that still shows up with the auths in your account. At the time they said I had to log in with that computer to move its auths. I said the computer doesn't exist anymore. They said do you have ZeroDowntime? No, thought I wouldn't need it if it was all in my account online.

If they had a website that was good and a license manager that was good I'd say, no problem. But it's a drag that too much of their service is built to generate more profit for them, when when I accepted starting with iLok I thought it would just be a one time fee and hassle, not a continual system that would cost more money regularly for the involvement with XYZ plugin and their choice of copy protection. I'm a HUGE supporter of copy protection, but in 2025 I have so many great plugins that either use key files that never fail or a simple, sensible website system that never fails or needs to be fed more $$ because that department needs to hit their numbers.

A plugin that needs more money every few years I don't mind at all. When the plugin is unchanged but I have to keep feeding its choice of CP I do mind.

[dblock]

Been using ilok since 2005. It is not an issue for me one way or the other. I don't over think it. It simply holds the licenses of plugins I really like and want to use which is most of them these days. I don't travel with it. It just sits there.

[Pluginsella]

Ilok = creditcard = nope

[ozinga]

I've been using iLoks since forever. Never had an issue with any of the keys but currently I only use iLok Computer and Cloud authorization. One less slot and one less thing to carry around.
The only one that does not support either is Melodyne which I do not use that much anyway and sits in my account deactivated.

[bill45]

I've been using iLoks since forever. Never had an issue with any of the keys but currently I only use iLok Computer and Cloud authorization. One less slot and one less thing to carry around.
The only one that does not support either is Melodyne which I do not use that much anyway and sits in my account deactivated.

I am thinking of putting as much as I can on the cloud. Any Disadvantage. I did temporarily miss place an Ilok dongle.

[Dave_p]

I ordered an iLok today. The system has improved over the years as there is also the iLok license manager application, which can transfer and manage licenses between machines.

[kmonkey]

Ilok = creditcard = nope

What a genius knight
All products regardless of ilok = creditcard

[ozinga]

I've been using iLoks since forever. Never had an issue with any of the keys but currently I only use iLok Computer and Cloud authorization. One less slot and one less thing to carry around.
The only one that does not support either is Melodyne which I do not use that much anyway and sits in my account deactivated.

I am thinking of putting as much as I can on the cloud. Any Disadvantage. I did temporarily miss place an Ilok dongle.

No disadvantages that I can think of, unless you are against your work computer being online.
The only thing is not all software support cloud so some of my licences are on my computer. Just need to remember that and deactivate licences if a computer change is necessary.

[Pluginsella]

Ilok = creditcard = nope

What a genius knight
All products regardless of ilok = creditcard

Let's say you have 90 plugins and you want to sell 45 of them for some reason. Then the transfer fee from iLok is an absolute cheek and if you're not a person who has a credit card you're completely screwed and stuck with it. It could also be that you work for iLok and that's why you're writing such nonsense ...

[kmonkey]

Let's say you have 90 plugins and you want to sell 45 of them for some reason. Then the transfer fee from iLok is an absolute cheek and if you're not a person who has a credit card you're completely screwed and stuck with it. It could also be that you work for iLok and that's why you're writing such nonsense ...

I was called many names on this forum but this is the first time someone assumed I work for ilok

Look you biscuit genius. You have a semi-valid point when it comes to ilok license transfer however not all people are psychopaths that purchase 90 plugins with intentions to sell 45 of them. Plus I don't know anyone who does not own a credit card. You can get a virtual credit card for FREE (literally) by registering a FREE Revolut account. Also, you can get physical Revolut CC (not needed) for 5 EUR.

Are you living under a rock or something? Do you wear thin foil over your head?

On top of that, after you register an account with Revolut and depose some money on it (you can do that without any credit card ) you can generate a "disposable" credit card number whose sole intention is to be used in one single individual purchase/online transfer. That way even if your CC number and data end up being stolen from this transaction it is rendered useless because it becomes useless once and immediately after you pay with it.

https://www.revolut.com/cards/virtual-card/

Adapt to the reality or go live in an Amish community.

[Pluginsella]

Please be a bit friendlier. It's obvious that you're only Rambo on the internet. Apart from that it's a matter of principle. It's about manufacturers dumping everything on iLok and iLok in turn making it difficult for buyers to transfer a license.Not everyone was born with a golden spoon in their mouth. Here in the EU not everyone has a Visa Mastercard or what else. Why there is no PayPal ??

[martinjuenke]

i keep my thoughts in a notebook, not on an ilok.

I keep my thoughts undisclosed,
my (German) government is too tough on prosecuting them.

[lunardigs]

I'm just glad I have nothing to do with Pace or iLok.

[choomaque]

I wish KVR had filter "Uses iLook for DRM" so I could look up to the plugin page in KVR before making a purchase decision. Negative decision that is. iLok is a pain in the arse. And no, I won't spend $50 for a dongle to use audio plugins. That is stupid.

[heyheycnv]

Not as good as an Ipod.