If you’re looking for Windows, Visio, Office, Project, or any other Microsoft software at the lowest prices, Softkeyworld may be your ultimate destination. However, the questions are, “How can Softkeyworld afford to sell these licenses at such low rates?” or “Is Softkeyworld legit?”
Before you book an online purchase from the platform, find answers to all these burning questions here.
What is SoftkeyWorld?
SoftkeyWorld is a Microsoft partner that buys bulk products and software directly from Microsoft and sells their downloadable versions at affordable prices. The online store is designed to consistently offer comprehensive services and discounted prices to customers. According to SoftkeyWorld’s claims, all the product license keys available are authorized by Microsoft and other similar brands.
SoftkeyWorld is a London-based platform registered in England and Wales. Microsoft’s Small and Mid-Sized Business (SMB) Champions Club awarded the platform the 2016 US SMB Champions Club Southwest Rising Star of the Year award for demonstrating Microsoft SMB sales and year-over-year SMB revenue growth with Southwestern Region Area SMB customers.
How is SoftkeyWorld Software So Cheap?
SoftkeyWorld is known to sell its products at low rates. There could be many reasons for this. But before we explore them, let’s look at the different types of software licensing available at SoftkeyWorld.
- OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Licenses: These licenses are sold with new hardware, such as a new PC or laptop. They are tied to a single device only, making them non-transferable. Many retailers, like SoftkeyWorld, acquire these licenses in bulk and then sell them at low rates.
- Retail Licenses: Retail Licenses are standalone versions of software. These are usually bought directly from Microsoft or any known authorized resellers. These licenses are generally considered expensive. However, unlike OEM licenses, these can be transferred.
- Volume Licenses: Large companies or governments usually buy bulk licenses at discounted rates. This reduces the price of one license, making it appear cheaper than when bought alone.
Many companies sell discounted software because they operate in marketplaces where sellers offer cheaper software keys. Sometimes, these keys are bought from legitimate parties, while other times, the sources are questionable.
Many companies also sell their unused and old licenses to third-party vendors when upgrading their systems. Due to their status, these licenses are often available for low prices.
SoftkeyWorld is known to sell licenses at reduced rates. What could be the reasons?
- SoftkeyWorld usually buys software licenses in bulk at a discount and then resells them individually at a low price.
- SoftkeyWorld may be involved in obtaining keys from low-cost markets. These are called Gray Market Keys. However, they are unofficially sourced keys available in regions where software may be inexpensive.
- Many businesses, like SoftkeyWorld, resell used software licenses in some jurisdictions where the practice is legal. Second-hand licenses are cheaper than unused ones.
Legitimacy Factors Reviewed
When analyzing SoftkeyWorld’s authenticity and legitimacy, it is imperative to consider some of its most prominent factors, such as customer reviews, company transparency, the purchase process, the refund procedure, and support policies.
Customer Reviews
The platform has a 3.6-star rating on Trustpilot. The customer reviews available on Trustpilot are mixed.
Here are some positive reviews.
According to Klaus, the company’s initial key was not valid. The support team was vigilant enough to provide him with a new key, which was activated smoothly. The website’s chat tool is also helpful for initiating a chat.
Dermot and many other customers on the website have shared how the customer support team at SoftkeyWorld is an excellent help with the whole process of key activation. The IT support is also quite experienced.
However, many customers have also shared their negative experiences. For instance, YK shared how the Microsoft license keys that he purchased from SoftkeyWorld had already been sold to others. He also didn’t receive any refund.
It is important to go through these reviews, both positive and negative, in detail before making your first purchase on SoftkeyWorld.
Company Transparency
There is a mixed picture of SoftkeyWorld’s reliability and transparency on various platforms.
On Sitejabber, SoftkeyWorld holds a rating of 4.0 stars. There are 71 reviews available, and many customers are satisfied with the platform.
ResellerRatings has a 4.9-star rating of the company, SoftkeyWorld. Most of the reviews feature positive feedback, with customers appreciating the platform’s great pricing and license support.
The company has never been a part of a dispute or registered for unlawful activities. Some customers have labeled it as a scam, but that’s mostly due to their experiences with slow customer support provided.
Purchase Process & License Activation
The process to purchase a license or key from SoftkeyWorld is quite straightforward.
- Visit SoftkeyWorld.com to explore the wide range of software products available. You can find a wide variety of Microsoft Office suites, Windows operating systems, and more.
- You can choose your desired software and then proceed to checkout. SoftKeyWorld supports secure transactions only through SSL encryption.
- After you make the purchase, you will receive an email within three to five minutes containing the download link for the digital software license.
For the license activation, you can follow the steps below:
- Use the link given to download the software.
- Run the installer and follow the instructions given on the screen.
- Input the key given and activate your software.
In case of any issues, just contact SoftKeyWorld’s support team for assistance.
Refund & Support Policies
SoftkeyWorld has a simple and easy refund policy. All customers can conveniently request a return within 7 days of the license purchase, provided that the product key has not been used at all. However, if a product key is detected as non-functional, you can immediately request a replacement that may be provided within 30 days of your purchase.
SoftkeyWorld offers ongoing support for all its products. Therefore, don’t hesitate to reach out to the support team via email or other social media platforms. In most cases, the support team will be available 24/7 for you. The average response time is one to two hours.
But if there is a delay, you can obviously call them directly at the phone number provided on the website.
Possible Risks and Red Flags
While most reviews conclude that SoftkeyWorld sells mostly authentic products, you should still be aware of possible risks and red flags when buying from the platform.
One potential legal issue is whether these keys are legal to use. According to Microsoft, many cheap keys sold online may be illegitimate or unauthorized for resale. So, when buying from SoftkeyWorld, make sure to account for this problem.
Similarly, some third-party sellers pirate installers with malware, spyware, or keyloggers. Moreover, downloading software from unverified sources increases the risk of data theft, which can compromise your system.
You must also consider that some cheap keys available online have a short lifespan. They might only work for a few days before being deactivated.
Pros and Cons
| SoftkeyWorld | |
| Pros | – Cheap software keys available – Keys are easy to purchase – Good reviews |
| Cons | – Some keys may be available from unauthorized parties – Significant security risks associated with malware and viruses – Purchase may cause ethical concerns – Some buyers have experienced poor customer support |
Safe Alternatives for Affordable Software
Buying from SoftkeyWorld has certain risks. The cheap licenses may not always be safe to use. Therefore, if you want to play safe, you can get affordable Windows keys and licenses directly from Microsoft. Microsoft often provides discounts, free trials, and student discounts to make your purchase affordable.
You can also search the Adobe Official Store (adobe.com) for your desired license. Adobe is a safe and authorized platform for purchasing software without risking your security.
Some open-source alternatives like LibreOffice and GIMP are also perfect options. LibreOffice is fully compatible with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, while GIMP works as a powerful free tool for Photoshop images.
Final Verdict
Regardless of its status as a Microsoft partner, SoftkeyWorld does not reduce the risks associated with buying software licenses from a party that sells them at comparatively cheaper rates.
Therefore, if you have a limited budget, you can try SoftkeyWorld once to experience its customer support and product. However, if budget isn’t a problem, it is best to buy your license keys from official Microsoft and Adobe websites.
