How to get a free trial of ATLAS.ti

Key takeaways

  • ATLAS.ti offers a free trial for both ATLAS.ti Web and ATLAS.ti Desktop (Windows and Mac).
  • Free trials are only available for the latest version of ATLAS.ti.
  • Some AI-based features have limitations during the trial, including word limits for AI analysis and no complimentary AI transcription minutes.
  • ATLAS.ti Web can be opened and ATLAS.ti Desktop can be downloaded directly from your ATLAS.ti account page at my.atlasti.com.
  • The ATLAS.ti free trial includes 5 functional days within a 20-day period.
  • When you start the application, it deducts 1 day from your 5 active days.
  • Users can later upgrade from the free trial to a paid subscription.

Who this article is for

This article is for users who want to try ATLAS.ti Web or ATLAS.ti Desktop before purchasing a subscription, including researchers, students, instructors, and qualitative data analysts exploring ATLAS.ti for qualitative research and data analysis workflows.


How to start a free trial of ATLAS.ti

ATLAS.ti offers a free trial version that allows users to explore both ATLAS.ti Web and ATLAS.ti Desktop.

  1. 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.
  2. Click Sign up and complete the registration. After signing in, you can:
    1. Download ATLAS.ti for Desktop (Windows and Mac), or
    2. Access ATLAS.ti Web directly in your browser
  3. Open ATLAS.ti and log in using the same email address and password you just created.
  4. 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.

How to use ATLAS.ti Web during the free trial

ATLAS.ti Web runs directly in your browser and does not require installation.

Step 1: Open ATLAS.ti Web

  1. Sign in to my.atlasti.com.
  2. Click Open ATLAS.ti Web.
  3. You can also go directly to: web.atlasti.com

Step 2: Start using ATLAS.ti Web

Once ATLAS.ti Web opens, you can:

  • create projects
  • upload documents
  • create quotations and codes
  • write memos
  • generate reports
  • export your projects

How to use ATLAS.ti Desktop during the free trial

ATLAS.ti Desktop includes both Windows and Mac versions.

Step 1: Download ATLAS.ti from my.atlasti.com

  1. Sign in to my.atlasti.com.
  2. Click the ATLAS.ti Windows/ATLAS.ti Mac tab.

Step 2: Install ATLAS.ti Desktop

In ATLAS.ti Windows

  1. Open the downloaded installer file.
  2. Follow the installation instructions.
  3. Complete the installation process.
  4. Launch ATLAS.ti Windows.

In ATLAS.ti Mac

  1. Open the downloaded installation file.
  2. Drag ATLAS.ti into the Applications folder if prompted.
  3. Complete the installation process.
  4. Launch ATLAS.ti Mac.

Step 3: Sign in

  1. Open ATLAS.ti Desktop.
  2. Sign in using your ATLAS.ti account email and password.

If your free trial is active, the Desktop application should recognize the trial license automatically after signing in.

How to upgrade from the free trial to a paid subscription

You can upgrade to a paid subscription at any time during or after the free trial period.

A paid subscription removes the free trial limitations and provides continued access to ATLAS.ti Web and/or ATLAS.ti Desktop depending on the selected license type.

After the free trial expires:

  • your projects remain accessible in a limited state
  • you can continue using projects within the free version limits
  • full functionality requires a paid license

Step 1: Open the ATLAS.ti online store

  1. Go to the ATLAS.ti online store: https://shop.atlasti.com/74/purl-order
  2. Review the available subscription and license options.

Step 2: Choose the appropriate license

Review the available plans and select the option that best matches your workflow and eligibility requirements.

Step 3: Complete the purchase

  1. Add the selected license to your cart.
  2. Enter your billing and payment information.
  3. Complete the purchase process.
  4. Review the confirmation email from ATLAS.ti or Cleverbridge.

Step 4: Access your purchased license

  1. Return to: my.atlasti.com
  2. Sign in using your ATLAS.ti account.
  3. Activate your license key
  4. Review the active license displayed in your account.

You can then:

  • open ATLAS.ti Web
  • download ATLAS.ti Desktop
  • continue working on your projects without interruption

Cancel an ATLAS.ti subscription

ATLAS.ti subscriptions can be managed through your ATLAS.ti account page.

  1. Go to my.atlasti.com
  2. Sign in using your account credentials.
  3. Click Manage Subscription
  4. Select Pause

Common issues and mistakes

  • Confusing functional days with calendar days
    • The free trial includes 5 functional days within a 20-day period. These days do not need to be consecutive.
  • Forgetting that each application start deducts a trial day
    • Each time you start the application, 1 day is deducted from the available trial days.
  • Trying to use an older ATLAS.ti version for the free trial
    • Free trials are only available for the latest version of ATLAS.ti.
  • Forgetting to verify the ATLAS.ti account
    • Users must verify their email address before the free trial can be activated correctly.
  • Forgetting to export or back up projects
    • Before cancelling a subscription or ending a project, export your projects and create backup copies.
  • 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.

When to contact support

Contact ATLAS.ti Support if:

  • your free trial does not activate
  • you do not receive the verification email
  • you cannot sign in to my.atlasti.com
  • ATLAS.ti Web does not open
  • the Desktop installer does not download
  • your free trial days are deducted unexpectedly
  • your purchased license does not appear in your ATLAS.ti account
  • your subscription is not recognized
  • your project export or import fails

When contacting support, include:

  • your operating system
  • whether you are using Web, Windows, or Mac
  • screenshots or error messages
  • your ATLAS.ti account email
  • a short description of the issue

For questions related to payments, invoices, refunds, or order processing, contact Cleverbridge:cs@cleverbridge.com

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