Account-Bound License
Also known as: account-locked license, per-account activation
What is it?
An account-bound license is a way of activating a trading extension or tool so that it works only with one specific trading account - the one it is registered to. A license is simply the permission that lets you use a paid tool, much like a key that unlocks it. Account-bound means that key is tied to your particular broker account rather than to your computer or to you in general.
So when you are logged into the account it was activated for, the tool turns on; on any other account, it stays inactive. Think of it like a building pass that only opens the one office you are assigned to, not every door in the building. There are two practical reasons this model is used.
First, it stops a single paid license from being quietly shared among many people or accounts, which keeps things fair. Second, and more usefully for you, it adds a layer of safety: because activation is tied to your own account, it is harder for someone else to misuse the tool or your access. For a beginner, the main thing to know is that you should activate the license on the account you actually trade with, and not be surprised if the tool refuses to run on a different account - that is the protection working as intended, not a fault.
Why it matters: It protects against unauthorised sharing and ties activation to your own account, reducing the chance of credential misuse.
Licensing controls access and security, not trade outcomes.
Real-world example
The extension activates only when logged into the licensed broker account and stays inactive on any other.
How SignalBots handles it
SignalBots' extension uses account-bound activation so the tool runs only on the account it is licensed to.
Pro tip
Keep your activation tied to the account you actually trade; account-bound licensing is a feature, not a hurdle, for your security.
Common pitfalls
Trying to run one account-bound license across several accounts and finding it inactive on the unlicensed ones.
Frequently asked questions
What does account-bound license mean?
It means the tool's activation is tied to one specific trading account, so it works when you are on that account and stays inactive on any other.
Can I use one license on several accounts?
With account-bound licensing, no - the activation is locked to a single account, which is what protects it from being shared or misused.
Why is the license tied to my account at all?
It keeps things fair by stopping one paid license being shared widely, and it adds safety since activation is anchored to your own account rather than left open.
What if I switch to a different trading account?
The tool will not run on the new account until the license is moved or re-activated for it; check the provider's process for transferring activation.
Does this affect how my trades perform?
No. Licensing only controls access and security - it decides where the tool can run, not the outcome of any trade you place with it.