Do I need a licence to check in/out code in a TFS Server?

Question

I`m trying to understand the licensing of MSDN. If I just want to perform check in/out , see History and similar operations as a member of a TFS Team of Developers Do I need an MSDN license ?

Thank you very much

Answer 1

To license TFS server , you'll need a TFS server license and a Windows operating system license (Windows Server is best) for each machine running TFS, plus a client access license for each person connecting to TFS . Client access licenses (CALs) aren't required for people who just access work items – assign them “Stakeholder” access, which is free.

Extensions to TFS such as Test Manager , Package Management, and Private Pipelines require an additional purchase. Some TFS Extensions are included with Visual Studio Enterprise subscriptions and many others are free. Paid extensions can also be purchased monthly, no Visual Studio subscription is required.

In your case, if you want users to check in/out, view source control history, you still need a CAL. Which means you still need a MSDN subscription to handle this. Unless, people who just access work items – simply assign them “Stakeholder” access, which is free.

Unlike the Classic Purchasing above, if you don't want to buy a MSDN subscription. Suggest you to use Modern Purchasing.

The most advantage: No need to make a 3-year purchasing commitment for TFS—you can pay month-to-month and cancel any time. For example: Buy VSTS for TFS CALs. When you buy VSTS users (starting at $6/month), those same users have a TFS CAL and can connect to any TFS in your organization. If those users also need TFS extensions like Test Manager or Package Management, or if you need additional Private Pipelines for your team, you can purchase these through the Visual Studio Marketplace. All VSTS charges are month-to-month. See detailed instructions .

For more info you could take a look at this official doc: Team Foundation Server Pricing

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Besides, If you want to double confirm this and know more information about TFS license, you could call 1-800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Pacific Time) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist, and you can get more detail information from there. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites to find contact information in their locations: http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/