Ask HN: What is the easiest way to paywall native software?

1 prhn 3 8/17/2025, 10:13:56 PM

I'm building what amounts to a Windows DLL. It will be loaded as a windows shell extension. It does not talk to a server. It's all native.

What is the easiest way to paywall this? I've seen services like keygen.sh, but the licensing fees are quite high.

I don't want to build, deploy, and maintain a server just to manage serial numbers and perform license authentication.

What are y'all using?

Comments (3)

NoahZuniga · 1h ago

You could distribute via Steam

falcor84 · 1h ago

I don't think that licensing alone would merit giving them the 30% cut

bigyabai · 1h ago

> I don't want to build, deploy, and maintain a server just to manage serial numbers and perform license authentication.

That's precisely why other people charge you licensing fees.

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