Open Source License Explorer

Browse our collection of open source licenses to find the perfect match for your project. Compare features, compatibility, and legal requirements.

Understanding License Types

Permissive

Few restrictions, allows commercial use and modification

Copyleft

Requires derivative works to maintain the same license

Strongest Copyleft Licenses

Strong Copyleft Licenses

Weak Copyleft Licenses

Permissive Licenses

Apache License 2.0

OSI

A permissive license that allows users to freely use, modify, and distribute the software, with a requirement to state changes and include the original license.

Copyleft:Permissive
Used by:
Apache HTTP ServerAndroid (partial usage)
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MIT License

OSI

A simple and permissive license that allows users to do almost anything with the software, as long as they include the original license and copyright notice.

Copyleft:Permissive
Used by:
ReactNode.js
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BSD 2-Clause 'Simplified' License

OSI

A permissive license with minimal restrictions, requiring only attribution and no warranty liability.

Copyleft:Permissive
Used by:
FreeBSDNetBSD
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BSD 3-Clause 'New' or 'Revised' License

OSI

A permissive license similar to BSD-2 but includes a clause preventing the use of contributors' names for promotion without permission.

Copyleft:Permissive
Used by:
Original BSD OSPostgreSQL
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Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal

A public domain dedication license that allows unrestricted use, modification, and distribution without any conditions.

Copyleft:Permissive
Used by:
Public datasetsEducational content
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The Unlicense

A public domain license that explicitly allows anyone to use, modify, and distribute software without restrictions.

Copyleft:Permissive
Used by:
Small utility projectsCode snippets
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Boost Software License 1.0

OSI

A permissive license that allows software to be used, modified, and distributed without many restrictions.

Copyleft:Permissive
Used by:
Boost C++ Libraries
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ISC License

OSI

A permissive license similar to the MIT License, with simple terms that allow free use, modification, and distribution.

Copyleft:Permissive
Used by:
OpenBSDDjango (historical usage)
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Need Help Choosing?

Selecting the right license is crucial for your project's success. Consider factors like:

Project Goals

Consider how you want others to use and contribute to your work.

Community Impact

Different licenses attract different types of contributors.

Legal Requirements

Ensure compatibility with dependencies and your business model.