> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.inspiredtheme.com/articles/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.inspiredtheme.com/articles/general-information/license-key-and-plans.md).
# License key and plans
What your License key does, where to find it, how to enter it, and how the Essentials, Pro, and Max plans compare.
***
Your **License key** connects your theme to your plan. It unlocks the Pro features you paid for on your live store. This article explains where to find your key, how to enter it, and what each plan includes.
### 1. What a License key is
Every Inspired Theme purchase comes with a **License key**. You paste it into your theme settings once. The theme then checks the key and turns on the features included in your plan.
* **Essentials** features always work, with or without a key.
* **Pro** and **Max** features (Pro sections and Pro blocks) show on your live store only when a valid Pro or Max key is entered.
* A key activates on the store where you enter it. Each key is for **one store**.
### 2. Where to find your License key
{% hint style="info" %}
**Steps:**
* Check the email you received after your purchase or trial request. Your key is included in that email.
* Can't find it? Search your inbox and spam folder for "Inspired Theme".
* **Pro and Max customers:** sign in to the [customer portal](https://customer-portal.inspiredtheme.com). Your key is shown in the **License key** card, with a **Copy** button. See [Customer portal](/articles/general-information/customer-portal.md).
* Still can't find it? [Contact support](https://inspiredtheme.com/pages/contact) from the email address you purchased with.
{% endhint %}
### 3. How to enter your License key
{% hint style="info" %}
**Steps:**
* In your Shopify admin, go to **Online Store → Themes**.
* Click **Customize** on your Inspired Theme.
* Click the **Theme settings** gear icon.
* Open **License key**.
* Paste your key into the **License key** field ("Enter your license key here.").
* Click **Save**.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** Copy the key straight from your email or the customer portal. Typing it by hand is the most common cause of errors.
{% endhint %}
### 4. Compare plans
All plans include lifetime updates. Pro and Max are available as a one-time purchase or a monthly plan.
| Feature | Essentials | Pro | Max |
| -------------------------------------------- | ------------ | -------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| **Price** | $68 one-time | $150 one-time or $19/month | $250 one-time or $39/month |
| Core sections | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lifetime updates | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Email & chat support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 30-day money-back guarantee | ✅ | — | — |
| 14-day access to all Pro features | ✅ | — | — |
| Purchase applies as credit toward Pro or Max | ✅ | — | — |
| 29 Pro sections (66 sections total) | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pro product blocks | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bundles & cart upsells | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cart rewards bar | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pre-order | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom font upload | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pre-launch access to new features | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Private customer portal | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Priority chat support | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Direct developer access | — | — | ✅ |
| Custom feature requests | — | — | ✅ |
| Private Slack channel | — | — | ✅ |
| Store optimization advice | — | — | ✅ |
See full plan details at [upgrade.inspiredtheme.com](https://upgrade.inspiredtheme.com).
{% hint style="info" %}
Questions about billing or cancellations? [Contact support](https://inspiredtheme.com/pages/contact).
{% endhint %}
### 5. Free trials
There are two ways to try the Pro features:
* **Free 3-day trial, before you buy.** Request a trial on the theme's page and you'll receive the theme file and a 3-day trial key by email. See [Try themes for free](/articles/general-information/try-themes-for-free.md).
* **14-day Pro trial with Essentials.** Your Essentials purchase includes a trial key that unlocks all Pro features for 14 days. Enter it in **Theme settings → License key** like any other key.
About the 14-day Pro trial:
* The 14 days start when you buy Essentials, not when you enter the key. Enter it soon after purchase to get the full 14 days.
* After the 14 days, Pro sections and Pro blocks are hidden on your live store. Your store keeps working on Essentials, and nothing else changes.
* Your Pro settings and content stay in the theme. Upgrade to Pro or Max and enter your new key to show them again.
### 6. What you see without a Pro or Max key
Without a valid Pro or Max key:
* **On your live store:** Pro sections and Pro blocks are hidden. Customers don't see them.
* **In the theme editor:** Pro sections still appear so you can set them up. While the **License key** field is empty, each one shows a **🔒 Pro** notice with an upgrade link.
* **Essentials features** always work.
{% hint style="warning" %}
The **🔒 Pro** notice only checks whether a key has been entered, not whether it's still valid. If your 14-day trial key has expired, Pro sections show in the theme editor without a notice, but they're still hidden on your live store.
{% endhint %}
### 7. Upgrade from Essentials to Pro or Max
Your full Essentials purchase is credited toward Pro or Max. You don't need to reinstall the theme, and your customizations stay.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Steps:**
* Go to [upgrade.inspiredtheme.com](https://upgrade.inspiredtheme.com) and open the page for your theme (for example, [upgrade.inspiredtheme.com/boho-sun](https://upgrade.inspiredtheme.com/boho-sun)).
* Choose **Pro** or **Max** and complete checkout. Your Essentials purchase is applied as credit.
* Check your email for your new Pro key.
* In Shopify, go to **Online Store → Themes → Customize → Theme settings → License key**.
* Replace your old key with the new key and click **Save**.
{% endhint %}
Your 14-day trial key stops working as soon as your Pro or Max key is issued, even if trial days are left. Replace it right away.
### 8. FAQ
I entered my key, but Pro sections are still hidden.
* Check the key for extra spaces at the start or end. Paste it again if needed.
* Make sure you entered it in the theme on the **correct store**. Each key is for one store.
* Make sure you clicked **Save** in the theme editor.
* After you change your key, it can take up to an hour for your browser to show the change. Open your live store in a private window to check straight away.
* Still hidden? [Contact support](https://inspiredtheme.com/pages/contact) and include your store URL.
Can I use one key on several stores?
No. Each key is for one store, and it activates on the store where you use it. If you need a key for a development or staging store, [contact support](https://inspiredtheme.com/pages/contact).
I lost my License key.
Search your inbox for your purchase email. Pro and Max customers can also copy the key from the [customer portal](https://customer-portal.inspiredtheme.com). Otherwise, [contact support](https://inspiredtheme.com/pages/contact) from the email address you purchased with.
Do I need to enter my key again after updating the theme?
Yes. When you upload a new theme version, it's a separate theme in Shopify. Enter your key in the new theme's **Theme settings → License key**. See [Updating to V9.0](/articles/general-information/updating-to-v9.0.md).
Will I lose my work if I upgrade from Essentials?
No. You keep the same theme. Just replace the key in **Theme settings → License key** and click **Save**. No reinstall is needed.