What's the most expensive single license software purchase in the world?

Factual Questions
1

I’m thinking something anyone can buy i.e., you don’t have to prove you’re a Nuclear Scientist or a Hairstylist to purchase it.

I don’t want to factor in any service agreements such as support, sneaky upgrade costs, online fees, etc… Just the software license ma’am.

I should be able to purchase the software, install it as a standalone program and go! I’ll consider web apps if there’s a single purchase fee that gives me most of the functionality. If there’s monthly fees, I won’t consider it.

It can be part of a larger suite of programs if that’s what’s available.

If I have to buy hardware to go along with the software, then so be it. I’d prefer to be able to purchase the software separately though.

thanks!

2

Softimage Face Robot Designer version (3d facial animation software) was released for $94,995 MSRP in 2006. That’s probably close.

3

For single user software the highest I know of is Autodesk Inferno, at US $571,500 a pop. There’s probably more expensive software out there.

4

I think I understand your question and it is a good one. However, I would take out the hardware clause because that could mean lots of things. I would also stipulate that someone actually paid for it at some point or else I can just write one myself now in five minutes that creates a unique password for an old system that someone has in their basement as a curiosity.

You basically just want a current application for a PC type computer right? Most supercomputers are just a bunch of PC’s connected together these days so even that requirement is a problem. Do you just want “shrink wrapped” software that you can buy in a box with no other questions asked?

5

That is a good guess but I don’t think it is close. I would guess that all of the most expensive single-license software would fall under the category of digital image manipulation however. CryEngine 2 is supposed to cost about $500,000 for a single license for example but someone would have to talk to a salesperson to know exactly. That is a lot of money but corporate enterprise software can cost many times that but it is for multiple users with support contracts and those are ruled out in the OP.

6

I agree with you about the hardware and I’m taking out that clause.

Yes, I want a current application for consumer level type of hardware, i.e., PC or Mac

It doesn’t matter if it’s shrink wrapped or if it’s a download link. As long as I don’t have to jump through hoops to purchase said software, I’m cool. If I have to talk to some sales guy, I don’t want to be sold on all kinds of custom application development that’s going to take months to get the thing running. If he wants me to purchase add-ons that are necessary to get the most of of the software, that’s fine.

In other words, I want to be able to purchase, install and play with my very expensive software ASAP!!