Which type of software license typically has a one-time purchase fee and lasts indefinitely?

A perpetual license is designed to allow a user to use a specific version of software indefinitely upon a one-time purchase. This means that once the software is bought, the user has the right to continue using that software version for as long as they wish, without any additional fees for ongoing usage. This type of licensing aligns well with organizations that prefer to make a single upfront investment rather than continual payments.

In contrast, subscription licenses generally require periodic payments (monthly or annually) to maintain access to the software, effectively limiting use to the duration of the subscription. Open-source licenses grant users rights to use, modify, and distribute software freely, but their primary focus is on the software's availability and freedom rather than on ownership through a traditional purchase. Proprietary licenses, while they can encompass various models including both subscription and perpetual forms, do not inherently guarantee indefinite use upon one-time payment; their terms can vary widely.

Thus, the perpetual license stands out as the option explicitly associated with a one-time fee and indefinite duration, which is why this is the correct choice.