Free trial license
Key takeaways
- You can start working with ATLAS.ti right away with a free trial.
- The trial is valid for 20 calendar days from the day you request it. Within those 20 days, you can use ATLAS.ti in full capacity for 5 active days (these do not need to be consecutive).
- Some AI-based features have limitations during the trial, including word limits for AI analysis and no complimentary AI transcription minutes.
- After 5 days of active use, the trial expires and the software defaults to a restricted version that lets you view projects of any size and create and edit projects of limited size (10 documents, 50 quotations, 25 codes, 2 memos). If you reach the trial size limits, you can purchase a license and convert your trial into a fully licensed version without losing your work.
- A new trial license cannot be issued if you already have a regular license, an active trial license, or have recently used a trial version.
Who this article is for:
Anyone who wants to request and activate an ATLAS.ti free trial, understand how long the trial lasts and how active days are counted, or resolve a message about exceeding the trial size limit should use this article.
How to get a free trial license
- Go to the ATLAS.ti Free Trial page: https://atlasti.com/free-trial-version. You will be redirected to my.atlasti.com to create your account.
- Click Sign up and complete the registration. After signing in, you can:
- Download ATLAS.ti for Desktop (Windows and Mac), or
- Access ATLAS.ti Web directly in your browser
- Open ATLAS.ti and log in using the same email address and password you just created.
- You can now start using ATLAS.ti with your free trial.
Trial period
The free trial is valid for a period of 20 calendar days after the trial license was requested. During these 20 days, you can use the software in its full capacity for five full days. These five days do not have to be consecutive and can be used at any time during the 20-day period.
When you start the application, it deducts 1 day from your 5 active days. If you close and restart the application or let it run within the next 24 hours, no additional days are deducted from your active trial days. When the , if the app is still running, an additional active day is deducted. The same applies if you start or restart the application. This allows you for example to use ATLAS.ti for two days, go on a one-week vacation and later continue using ATLAS.ti for another three days.
When all five active days are used, the trial license expires. Likewise, if the five active days are not used within the 20 calendar days, the license expires.
Activating a license after the free trial expires
If you have exceeded the size limits of the free trial version and want to save your project or continue working without any size limitations (on documents, codes, quotations, etc.), you can purchase an ATLAS.ti license.
- Purchase your license in our online shop here
- You will receive your license key via email
- Activate your license key in your account at my.atlasti.com
- You can now save and continue working on your existing project without any limitations
- If you still cannot save your project, click “Check for updated license” in the app
- In ATLAS.ti Windows, go to File > Options > ATLAS.ti, and click Check for Updated License
- In ATLAS.ti Mac, go to ATLAS.ti > License, and click Check for Updated License
- This will refresh your license connection and allow you to save projects of any size
- If you still cannot save your project, click “Check for updated license” in the app
Common issues or mistakes
- I thought the free trial was valid for 20 full days
- The trial is valid for 20 calendar days, but it includes only 5 active days of full functionality within that period. This means you can use ATLAS.ti in full capacity for 5 non-consecutive days anytime during the 20-day window. The trial ends when either the 5 active days are used or the 20 calendar days expire — whichever comes first.
- I used one day just by opening the app
- Yes. Active days are deducted in 24-hour blocks starting from the moment you launch ATLAS.ti.
- I can no longer save, export, or register for another free trial
- Once your trial expires, ATLAS.ti switches to a restricted version that allows you to open and view projects of any size, but limits creating or editing projects to 10 documents, 50 quotations, 25 codes, and 2 memos.
- You will no longer be able to export projects unless you upgrade to a paid license.
- The system will not issue a new trial license if you already have a regular license, currently have an active trial license, or have recently used a trial license.
- I can't use AI tools or auto transcription
- The trial provides full access to most ATLAS.ti features, with some limitations on AI-based functionalities:
- AI tools (AI Coding, AI Summaries, and Conversational AI): These are available during the trial, but a word limit applies to AI analysis. AI Coding can process documents between 6,000 and 12,000 words; however, for best results during the trial, we recommend working with documents under 500 words.
- AI Transcription: The free trial does not include complimentary transcription minutes. However, purchased transcription minutes can be used while the trial is active.
- The trial provides full access to most ATLAS.ti features, with some limitations on AI-based functionalities:
When to contact support
Contact ATLAS.ti Support if:
- You requested a trial license but cannot start the trial.
- You purchased a license but still cannot save or export your project after activating it.
- You receive error messages when requesting or activating a trial license.
When contacting support, please include:
- The email address associated with your ATLAS.ti account
- A description of the issue
- Screenshots of any error messages, if available