# Synnax editions

> Compare Synnax Desktop and Synnax Enterprise, and find out how to get each.

Synnax comes in two editions. Synnax Desktop is one free app that runs on your computer, with nothing to set up. Synnax Enterprise is a Synnax Core that your team runs on its own servers, and many people, scripts, and Drivers connect to it.

## Choose an edition

Use **Synnax Desktop** when one person works on one computer. For example, an engineer at a bench connects a LabJack or an NI device, records data, and plots it. Synnax Desktop is also the fastest way to try Synnax.

Use **Synnax Enterprise** when a team shares one system. Choose Enterprise when you:

* Have more than one person who needs the same data.
* Connect hardware on other computers, such as a second PC or an NI CompactRIO.
* Write Python or TypeScript code that reads, writes, or controls data.
* Run Synnax on Linux or on a server.
* Need users, roles, and permissions.

## Compare the editions

The two editions share most capabilities. They differ in where they run and in who can connect.

|                                    | Synnax DesktopFree                      | Synnax EnterpriseContact Synnax Labs      |
| ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Install and upkeep                 |                                         |                                           |
| Operating systems                  | * macOS (Apple silicon)
* Windows (x64) | - Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Docker        |
| Start, restart, and diagnostics    | Automatic                               | Your team                                 |
| Metadata backup before an update   | Automatic                               | Your team                                 |
| Updates                            | In the app, for all parts               | Console in the app, the rest by your team |
| Teams and access                   |                                         |                                           |
| Access from other computers        |                                         |                                           |
| Console in a web browser           |                                         |                                           |
| Users and roles                    |                                         |                                           |
| Copy link to a resource            |                                         |                                           |
| TLS certificates                   |                                         |                                           |
| Hardware                           |                                         |                                           |
| Drivers on other computers         |                                         |                                           |
| NI devices                         | Windows only                            | Windows, Linux, and NI Linux Real-Time    |
| LabJack devices                    |                                         | Windows and macOS                         |
| Driver on the same computer        |                                         |                                           |
| EtherCAT, Modbus, OPC UA, and HTTP |                                         |                                           |
| Devices and tasks                  |                                         |                                           |
| Automation                         |                                         |                                           |
| Python and TypeScript clients      |                                         |                                           |
| Arc automations                    |                                         |                                           |
| Statuses and alarms                |                                         |                                           |
| Data and visualization             |                                         |                                           |
| Channels and calculated channels   |                                         |                                           |
| Ranges                             |                                         |                                           |
| Projects and visualizations        |                                         |                                           |
| Import and export                  |                                         |                                           |

## Get an edition

### Synnax Desktop

Synnax Desktop is free, and needs a Synnax account. To download it, see [Install Synnax Desktop](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/install-desktop).

### Synnax Enterprise

To get Synnax Enterprise, contact [Synnax Labs](https://www.synnaxlabs.com/). Each Core needs a license from the Synnax portal. To install a Core and connect to it, see [Set up Synnax Enterprise](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/enterprise).