The GAMS system and all connected solvers can be downloaded from the GAMS website at The use of the software is governed by the GAMS End User License Agreement, which is available on our website and can also be found in the GAMS System directory (eula.pdf). Without a valid GAMS license the system will not run and produces the following output:
You can request a free demo license at The demo license lets you generate and solve linear models (LP, RMIP, and MIP) that do not exceed 2000 variables and 2000 constraints. For all other model types the model cannot be larger than 1000 variables and 1000 constraints. Some solvers might enforce additional limits for the demo license. The demo license of MIRO connector allows up to 10 indexed input and output symbols.
Gams License
Users can request a free community license from commu.nosp@m.nity.nosp@m.@gams.nosp@m..com. The community license lets you generate and solve linear models (LP, MIP, and RMIP) that do not exceed 5000 variables and 5000 constraints. For all other model types the model cannot be larger than 2500 variables and 2500 constraints. Restrictions you experience with the demo license, i.e. additional limits enforced by some solvers, time-limitation of 12 months, and a recent GAMS system also apply to the community license. The free demo and community license cannot be combined with a professional license. These free demo and community licenses are for demonstration and evaluation but not for commercial and production work.
We distinguish between academic and commercial licenses. Academic licenses can only be used for teaching and research at degree granting institutions. Moreover, we distinguish between time-limited and perpetual licenses. For perpetual licenses the first year of maintenance, support and updates is included in the initial purchase of the software. Maintained licenses qualify for free updates, adding components, platform-switching without additional charge, and multi-copy discounts on the same platform. After the first year maintenance can be extended by paying a fee. Licenses are typically limited to a single computer platform type (e.g. Windows or Linux), but there are also licenses available, which will work on all major platform supported by GAMS. Free academic licenses are available for certain solvers. Please visit the GAMS website for further information about the pricing of an appropriate license.
A GAMS license file is an ASCII file of six lines, which was sent to you via e-mail. Please copy all six lines into a file gamslice.txt and place this into a location searched by GAMS. Details can be found in the installation notes of the specific operating system:
Before installing a new GAMS version, please check whether it will work with your current GAMS license. The utility CHK4UPD can be used to see if a newer GAMS version is available and what the newest version is that can be used with a given license. This is done by running CHK4UPD without arguments or by giving the name of a local license file. CHK4UPD is also available through GAMS Studio and can be accessed through: Help -> Check for Update. Below is a sample output for a license, which is still under maintenance:
Errors or warnings triggered by a problem with the GAMS license file (gamslice.txt) are reported both in the log file and in the lst file. Below are some typical error and warning messages and instructions how to overcome them.
Without a license file GAMS will not work. If you have received a license file (gamslice.txt), follow the instruction from the previous section. Do not try to rename it or to modify the contents of the license file. Without a license GAMS will give you an error message like the one below:
Do not try to modify your license file, any change will break it. If the original license file is no longer available, please contact sales.nosp@m.@gam.nosp@m.s.com and ask for a copy of your license file. Please attach the license file you are currently using. This error also pops up, if you are using a license file, which was issued for a different platform.
Replace that GAMS system with the one you got together with your license file (use the CHK4UPD utility mentioned above to find out the latest version you can use with the current license; old systems are available on request from sales.nosp@m.@gam.nosp@m.s.com) or update your license to the current version.
If one of the solvers you are trying to use (or is selected as the default solver) is not included in your license file and the size of the model exceed the limits of the free demo or community version, you will get an error stating:
In addition to the GAMS model size limits, the solvers might impose stricter limits when running with a demo or community license. We use m for the number constraints, n for the number variables, nd for the number of discrete variables, nz for the number nonzeros, and nlnz for the number nonlinear nonzeros:
All language features are enabled, and the restrictions listed below are quite generous. You will be able to run your first experiments before hitting the limits too soon. You can generate and solve linear models (LP, RMIP, and MIP) that do not exceed 2000 variables and 2000 constraints
For all other model types the model cannot be larger than 1000 variables and 1000 constraints
Some solvers might enforce additional limits for the demo license. Read the licensing chapter of the GAMS online documentation for more information.
GAMS will terminate with a licensing error if you hit one of the above limits: *** Status: Terminated due to a licensing error *** Inspect listing file for more information
MIRO connector allows up to 10 indexed input and output symbols
Limited to 12 months
All prices shown are valid as of January 01, 2023 and supersede in full any previous prices.Prices shown are for perpetual, named user licenses, to be used on local PCs and workstations.Please contact us at sales@gams.com for machine based licenses.
A GAMS/Solver connects the GAMS Base Module to a particular solver and includes a license for this solver to be used through GAMS. It is not necessary to install additional software, as all of the listed solvers are already included in the installation package and licensed via the same method as GAMS/Base.
A GAMS/Solver-Link connects the GAMS Base Module to a particular solver but does not include a license for the solver. It may be necessary to install additional software before a solver-link can be used. Use of any GAMS/Solver-Link (including the Open Solver Interfaces to commercial solvers) requires written confirmation that all users have a valid license agreement for using the current version of the solver library and that the use of the solver will comply with the terms of that license agreement.
Our default licenses are perpetual named user licenses, created to run on local PCs and workstations. When ordering a license, please let us know your operating system of your choice (Win, Mac, or Linux).They include maintenance and support for the first 12 months after purchase.
M&S allows free updates, adding components to existing systems, platform switching without additional charge, and multi-copy discounts on the same platform. Up to four changes per year of the name of the licensee are included. The annual fee for M&S is 20% of the list price for all licensed modules. M&S is optional and not required. If the user does not purchase M&S for some period and chooses to purchase it at a later date, we will back-charge M&S fees for the periods that were not covered at the current list price.
The following discounts apply: 30% discount on the original price for the second copy, and 50% discount for the third and following copies of the same modules. Discounts apply as long as the other license(s) are under maintenance, and the additional licenses run on the same type of platform as the original system.
For machine based-licenses, a discount of 30% applies to the first increment of 12 cores beyond the first 12 cores, and 50% for each additional 12-core increment. Smaller increments are also available: please contact us for a quote.
The software is available for download on the GAMS web site. The license file is delivered via email. The software includes the documentation in electronic form. All prices are stated in US Dollars and do not include applicable taxes and tariffs. We follow the policies and regulations of the Bureau of Industry and Security.
The GAMS license expires annually and needs to be update. Failure to update the license will result in the software reverting to "Demo" mode which limits the size of problems it will solve and what solvers it will use. The updated license is available Here (right click to download in a new tab). Follow the procedure below to update your license.
With schools and universities shutting down globally due to the ongoing pandemic ( -emergencies/coronavirus-school-closures), some university students using GAMS in their projects have been locked out of computer labs, and have therefore lost access to licensed GAMS installations.
In order to quickly help those affected, we will provide free, time-limited GAMS licenses, as requested. If you are a student and need an emergency academic license, please contact sales@gams.com and we will help you out.
The Studio version that was published with the latest GAMS does not have a particular functionality for this. You can use the Windows Explorer (if you use Windows) to copy the license file (gamslice.txt) into your GAMS system directory.
However, the latest version of Studio, which is available through gitHub only so far ( -dev/studio/releases), has the ability to create/update your license file from your clipboard if you open the "About GAMS" dialog.
You can download the latest GAMS Engine installation scripts here. The general installation instructions are given below. However, keep in mind that the installation is highly dependent on your setup. Since GAMS Engine is a server application, the concepts of ports, SSL, certificates, etc. are omnipresent. Setting up such a system is a common task for a server administrator. If you have problems with the installation of GAMS Engine, please do not hesitate to contact us by mail at support@gams.com. 2ff7e9595c
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