title

Combined GitHub Enterprise cloud and server use

intro

Your enterprise account enables you to set up {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} with no additional cost.

versions

fpt	ghec	ghes
*	*	*

shortTitle

Combined enterprise use

redirect_from

/billing/managing-your-license-for-github-enterprise/about-licenses-for-github-enterprise

contentType

concepts

category

Manage enterprise licenses

About enterprise deployments

{% data reusables.enterprise.about-deployment-methods %}

If you use both {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_cloud %} and {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %}, you'll have an enterprise account for each. Even if you only use {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %}, we recommend creating an enterprise account on {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_cloud %}. This will make it easier to contact {% data variables.contact.enterprise_support %} and share support bundles with them. To create an additional enterprise account, contact {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}'s Sales team.

For most administration options, such as policies, you will manage each enterprise account separately. However, you can use the enterprise account on {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_cloud %} to view all license usage across all deployments.

About licensing for {% data variables.product.prodname_enterprise %}

{% data reusables.enterprise-licensing.unique-user-licensing-model %}

To use a {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} instance, you must upload a license file that {% data variables.product.company_short %} provides. See AUTOTITLE.

Syncing licenses

{% data reusables.enterprise-licensing.about-license-sync %}

Usage-based and volume licensing

There are two types of {% data variables.product.prodname_enterprise %} (GHE) licensing models, with different processes for enabling combined use of {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_cloud %} and {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %}.

GHE (Usage-based, also called metered): A cloud-first license where users must first be assigned to a {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_cloud %} organization.
- All Cloud users automatically receive a right to use {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %}.
- Billing is based on the number of active users each month.
- Users can generate their own Server license, and the seat count is based on the number of consumed enterprise Cloud licenses at the time of generation. The license is valid for one year.
  
  You can find your enterprise's consumed Cloud license count on your enterprise's Billing & Licensing > Licensing page. Do not use the "Total consumed" licenses count on the People > Members page: that number will be higher than the Cloud-only count used for license generation.
- Server-only users will be added to GHE (Metered) billing. These users are de-duplicated with email matching to avoid double billing.
GHE (Volume/Subscription, also called GHE Unified): A bundled license for both {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_cloud %} and {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %}.
- One license covers both {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_cloud %} and {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %}, allowing users to work in either or both.
- Users can access both services via {% data variables.product.prodname_github_connect %}.
- This license requires manual setup and is provided by {% data variables.product.github %} Sales.

{% data reusables.billing.usage-based-billing %}

Detailed comparison

{% rowheaders %}

License model	Usage-based	Volume or subscription
Cloud vs. Server	Cloud-first, with a Server use right for Cloud users	1 user license covers both Cloud and Server (hybrid, Cloud-only, or Server-only)
Setup	Self-service	Manual setup via {% data variables.product.github %} Sales
Server license generation	Users generate their own {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} license	Enterprise owners download their own {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} license
License file scope	Covers consumed Cloud licenses at time of generation	Covers all purchased users for both Cloud and Server
License expiration	Expires in 12 months	Aligned with volume license term
License key usage	Limits max Server users	Covers all users in the volume subscription
Required {% data variables.product.prodname_enterprise %} version	{% data variables.product.prodname_enterprise %} 3.13+, with {% data variables.product.prodname_github_connect %}	No specific version required
Billing model	Invoiced for users not assigned on Cloud via {% data variables.product.prodname_github_connect %}	Fixed cost based on purchased volume

{% endrowheaders %}

Further reading

AUTOTITLE
Pricing
AUTOTITLE
[AUTOTITLE]({% ifversion fpt or ghec %}/enterprise-server@latest{% endif %}/admin/installing-your-enterprise-server/setting-up-a-github-enterprise-server-instance)
The {% data variables.product.prodname_enterprise %} Releases website

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