Terms of service is the agreement that sets the rules for using your product: what users may and may not do, your liability limits, and how disputes are handled. For a Desktop App, getting it right matters: Desktop apps often phone home for updates, licensing, or telemetry, all of which should be disclosed even when the app runs mostly offline. This free terms of service generator asks a few questions about your Desktop App and assembles a tailored document you can copy or download in seconds.
Why your Desktop App needs a terms of service
Clear terms of service protect you by setting expectations, limiting liability, and giving you grounds to suspend abusive accounts.
Desktop apps often phone home for updates, licensing, or telemetry, all of which should be disclosed even when the app runs mostly offline.
What a Desktop App terms of service should cover
A good terms of service for a Desktop App is specific to how your product works. At a minimum, address:
- Auto-update checks and crash or usage telemetry
- License or activation data sent to your servers
- Any local files the app reads outside its own folder
- Acceptance of the terms and who may use the product
- Acceptable-use rules and prohibited behavior
- Payment, refund, and cancellation terms if you charge
- Limitation of liability and governing law
How this generator works
PolicySmith builds your terms of service entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent to a server. Answer the questions above about analytics, payments, AI features, and the regions your users live in, and the document updates to match. Export it as HTML or Markdown, paste it into your Desktop App, and link to it from your store listing or footer.
Frequently asked questions
My desktop app runs offline — do I still need a privacy policy?
If it ever connects to the internet for updates, licensing, telemetry, or error reporting, it processes data and should disclose that. Many distribution channels also require a policy URL.
Do I need terms of service if I already have a privacy policy?
They serve different jobs. A privacy policy explains data handling; terms of service set the contract for using your product. Most apps benefit from having both.
Can I edit the generated terms of service?
Absolutely. Export the document as Markdown or HTML and adjust the clauses to match how your product actually works.
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