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

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!

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

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.

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?

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.

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!!