Client Access License (CAL)
Access licenses for on-premises servers, and whether Microsoft 365 plans replace them.
Which on-premises CAL rights does each plan include?
Microsoft 365 subscriptions grant access rights to on-premises servers under the CAL and ML Equivalency rules in the Product Terms.
| Feature | Microsoft 365 F1/F3 | Microsoft 365 E3 | Microsoft 365 E5/E7 | Office 365 E1 | Office 365 E3/E5 | EMS E3/E5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Server access | ||||||
| Windows Server CAL[5] | – | – | ||||
| RDS CAL[5]Not included in any plan; purchased separately | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Exchange, SharePoint, Skype for Business Server | ||||||
| Exchange Server Standard CAL[5] | – | – | ||||
| Exchange Server Enterprise CAL[5] | – | – | – | |||
| SharePoint Server Standard CAL[5] | – | – | ||||
| SharePoint Server Enterprise CAL[5] | – | – | – | |||
| Skype for Business Server Plus CAL[5]Enterprise voice | – | – | – | E5 only | – | |
| Management | ||||||
| Configuration Manager and Endpoint Protection management license[5] | – | – | ||||
CAL types
| Feature | Windows Server CAL | RDS CALAdd-on to Windows Server CAL | Exchange Server SE Standard CAL | Exchange Server SE Enterprise CALAdd-on to Standard CAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features | ||||
| Per user or per device[1] | ||||
| Software Assurance or subscription required[3]Windows Server and RDS CALs do not require SA; only if the server is licensed per virtual OSE must the CALs also be acquired with a subscription or active SA. Exchange Server SE can only be used with a subscription or active SA. | – | – | ||
| What it provides[4] | Windows Server access | Remote desktop session | Mail, calendar, OWA | Archive, Hold, DLP, IRM |
| Exchange Online Protection and DLP rights[3]Included with Exchange Server SE Enterprise CAL under active SA | – | – | – | |
- Included
- Available as add-on
- Not confirmed in official sources
- Not included
- Core CAL Suite and Enterprise CAL Suite are still sold. 'CAL Suite Bridge' products are available to complete server CALs not covered by online subscriptions (for Office 365, Intune and EMS).
- Perpetual CALs for Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 are no longer offered. Exchange Server SE and its CALs can only be used with a subscription or active Software Assurance.
- Windows Server CALs can be assigned per user or per device; a CAL grants access to its own version and earlier versions.
- Office 365 Nonprofit E1 does not satisfy the CAL requirement.
- Student Use Benefit does not grant on-premises server or CAL rights, except for Advanced Threat Analytics 2016 and Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager.
Sources
- Windows Server Standard, Datacenter, and Essentials, Product Terms
- Remote Desktop Services client access licenses
- Exchange Server, Product Terms
- Exchange Server licensing overview
- CAL and ML Equivalency Licenses, Product Terms
- Client Access License (CAL) Suite Bridges licensing guidance
Last updated: 16 October 2026