Sell Your VBA Application with Confidence

You built a powerful VBA tool. Now protect it, license it, and sell it as a real software product — with compiled DLLs, hardware-locked keys, and professional distribution.

The Challenge of Selling VBA-Based Software

You've built a powerful Excel workbook, a Word template, or an Access database that saves hours of work. You want to sell it — but VBA macros are trivially easy to copy and modify. Password protection is bypassed in seconds. Obfuscation just renames variables.

Without real code protection and licensing, anyone who receives your file can extract your macros, remove your branding, and redistribute your work for free. You can't enforce trial periods, you can't lock to hardware, and you have no way to manage who uses your software.

VBA Padlock solves every part of this problem: compile your code so it can't be stolen, add licensing so you control access, and package everything for professional distribution.

From VBA Code to Commercial Product

Four steps to turn your VBA macros into a professional, licensed software product.

1

Protect Your Code

Compile your VBA macros into signed DLLs. Your source code is replaced by bytecode — no one can read, copy, or modify your algorithms.

2

Add Licensing

Configure license keys, hardware locking, trial periods, and activation dialogs — all built into the compiled DLL, ready to enforce.

3

Package & Distribute

Use VBA Padlock's distribution tools to create ZIP archives or installers. Ship your Office file with the bin/ folder containing your DLLs.

4

Sell & Manage

Generate license keys for customers, manage activations online, and handle upgrades or transfers with the built-in deactivation system.

Built-in Licensing and Activation

Generate license keys, enforce hardware locking, and manage activations — all from VBA Padlock Studio.

VBA Padlock license key generator producing hardware-locked keys
Key Generator — create hardware-locked license keys for your customers.
End-user activation dialog requesting hardware ID and license key
What your customers see — a professional activation dialog built into the DLL.

Complete Licensing System

Everything you need to monetize your VBA application — from trial modes to enterprise seat management.

Hardware-Locked Keys

License keys are tied to the user's hardware ID. Prevent unauthorized sharing — each key works only on the registered machine.

Trial Periods

Let users try your application before purchasing. Configure trial duration, feature limitations, and nag screens — all enforced by the DLL.

Online Activation

Validate keys against your server in real time. Track activations, enforce seat limits, and revoke keys remotely if needed.

License Deactivation

Let customers transfer their license to a new machine. Deactivation frees the activation slot, and the key can be reused elsewhere.

Key Generator

Generate license keys directly from VBA Padlock Studio. Create single keys or batch-generate hundreds for resellers and distributors.

EULA Enforcement

Display a license agreement before first use. Users must accept the EULA to proceed — the acceptance is recorded and enforced by the DLL.

Trial Mode and Distribution

Let prospects try your tool, then convert them to paying customers with built-in trial nag screens and distribution packaging.

Trial nag screen displayed to end users before purchase
Trial nag screen — encourage users to purchase after the trial period.
VBA Padlock distribution dialog for packaging Office files with DLLs
Distribution dialog — create ready-to-ship ZIP archives with all required files.

Who Sells VBA Applications?

VBA Padlock is built for developers and consultants who want to monetize their Office automation expertise.

Commercial Add-ins

Sell Excel add-ins, Word templates, or Access applications as licensed software products with trial periods and activation keys.

Consulting Deliverables

Protect proprietary tools you build for clients. Ensure they can use the tool but not copy, modify, or redistribute your macros.

Internal Enterprise Tools

Distribute VBA tools across departments without exposing sensitive business logic or allowing unauthorized modifications.

SaaS-Style Licensing

Combine online activation with periodic validation to create subscription-style licensing for your VBA applications.

Ready to Secure Your VBA Code?

Download VBA Padlock and start compiling, protecting, and licensing your VBA macros today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell an Excel add-in built with VBA Padlock?
Yes. VBA Padlock compiles your VBA code into signed DLLs that you distribute alongside your .xlam or .xlsm file. The built-in licensing system lets you generate hardware-locked license keys, enforce trial periods, and manage activations — everything you need to sell commercially.
How does hardware-locked licensing work?
When a user activates your application, VBA Padlock generates a unique hardware ID based on their machine. The license key is tied to that hardware ID, preventing the same key from being used on multiple computers. You control how many activations each key allows.
Can customers transfer their license to a new computer?
Yes. VBA Padlock supports license deactivation — the user deactivates on their old machine, which frees the activation slot. They can then reactivate on their new machine using the same license key.
Do I need to run a server for online activation?
Only if you want online activation. VBA Padlock supports both offline activation (you generate keys, users enter them) and online activation (keys are validated against your server). A ready-to-deploy PHP activation server kit is included.
What Office applications are supported?
VBA Padlock supports Excel (.xlsm, .xlam), Word (.docm, .dotm), Access (.accdb, .accde), and PowerPoint (.pptm, .ppam). The same licensing and protection features work across all four applications.