They both can contain single and network licenses.They both use the same CodeMeter technology.Software Key is fully equivalent to the CodeMeter Hardware Key in terms of software protection functionalities, yet its delivery, deployment and management greatly differ from the hardware protection. What are the similarities and differences between Hardware and Software Keys? This means that any Archicad version that is natively compatible with the CodeMeter keys (Archicad 13 or higher) will also be compatible with the Software Key. Software keys use the same CodeMeter technology as the metal USB keys most Archicad users currently have. Software-Based Protection Keys - or Software Keys for short - have the same functionality as Hardware-based Protection Keys, but instead of storing software licenses on a USB stick, the licenses are stored in a software container file on your computer.