To develop hardware for Microchip FPGAs without upfront software costs, you can use the or the Evaluation License , which are both completely free of charge . Microchip’s Libero SoC Design Suite requires a valid FlexNet license file to run. While commercial developers targeting large-scale, high-density devices must purchase Gold or Platinum tiers, individual developers, students, and engineers working on compact or mainstream hardware can leverage the zero-cost Silver tier indefinitely via annual renewals. Free Libero License Tiers Overview
Libero SoC is more than just a synthesizer; it is a complete end-to-end FPGA design suite. It integrates industry-standard synthesis tools (Synplify Pro from Synopsys), place-and-route engines, simulation environments (ModelSim), and debug tools into a unified interface.
Before requesting your license, you need to identify your computer's unique hardware ID: For Windows (DiskID) : Open a command prompt and type . Use the "Volume Serial Number" displayed (e.g., For Linux (MACID) microchip libero license free
While the Silver license is powerful, it is restricted to specific device families and capacities to differentiate it from paid Gold and Platinum tiers. Device Support
Go to the Microchip website (Microchip.com -> Products -> FPGAs and SoCs -> Design Resources -> Libero SoC). Download the latest version (e.g., v2024.2 or newer). You do not need a license to install the software. To develop hardware for Microchip FPGAs without upfront
Open the program installed alongside Libero SoC.
However, it is crucial to understand that open-source toolchains lack native support for Microchip's unique device features, including its low-power mode, ARM Cortex-M3 hard processor in SmartFusion2, RISC-V processor cluster in PolarFire SoC, and many specialized IP cores. Therefore, for fully leveraging a Microchip FPGA's advanced capabilities, the official Libero SoC suite remains the only complete solution. Free Libero License Tiers Overview Libero SoC is
Microchip offers two types of no-cost licenses, though most designers will require the tier for actual hardware programming. Silver License (Recommended)
: Entry-level and mid-range devices from families like PolarFire , IGLOO2 , SmartFusion2 , and RTG4 .
: Designed for temporary assessment. It supports all functions and devices but does not allow you to program a physical chip.
While the Silver license is functional, it is not "full-featured" in terms of handling high-end devices. It is primarily intended for evaluation and smaller, less complex projects.