Generator Licenses Compare Compatibility Guides

Open Source License Chooser & LICENSE File Generator

License

Permissive

MITApache-2.0BSD-3-ClauseBSD-2-ClauseISCBSL-1.0

Weak copyleft

LGPL-3.0LGPL-2.1MPL-2.0EPL-2.0

Strong copyleft

GPL-3.0GPL-2.0AGPL-3.0

Public domain / no conditions

0BSDUnlicenseCC0-1.0

Year Copyright holder

Project name / one-line description (optional)

LICENSE

Should others have to release the source when they distribute a modified version?

NoFine to include in closed-source products (permissive)Only changes to my filesOnly modified files are published; the rest is free (MPL, EPL)Only changes to my libraryApps using the library can stay closed (LGPL)The entire derived programThe whole program distributed together is published (GPL)Even network servicesModified versions run on servers are published too (AGPL)

Do you need an explicit patent grant?

Doesn't matterYesWhen there are many corporate contributors or you worry about patent disputes

Should users have to keep your copyright notice?

Yes, keep itA record of who made it is preservedNo conditions at allClose to public domain

Must it be combinable with GPL-2.0 projects (e.g. the Linux kernel)?

Doesn't matterYes

Do you prefer a short, easy-to-read license text?

Doesn't matterShorter is better

What are you licensing?

Software codeData, documents, images, etc.Works that are not code

Recommended licenses

Recommendations only show common candidates that match your answers and are not legal advice. Also check your company policy and the licenses of your existing dependencies.

License

Permissive

MITApache-2.0BSD-3-ClauseBSD-2-ClauseISCBSL-1.0

Weak copyleft

LGPL-3.0LGPL-2.1MPL-2.0EPL-2.0

Strong copyleft

GPL-3.0GPL-2.0AGPL-3.0

Public domain / no conditions

0BSDUnlicenseCC0-1.0

Comment style

GNU version clause

or-later (later versions allowed)only (this version only)

Header content

Two SPDX linesSPDX + official notice

A comment placed at the very top of each file. SPDX identifiers let tools detect the license of each file automatically. The year and copyright holder are taken from the Generate tab.

header

Licenses

MIT Apache-2.0 GPL-3.0 GPL-2.0 LGPL-3.0 LGPL-2.1 AGPL-3.0 MPL-2.0 EPL-2.0 BSD-3-Clause BSD-2-Clause ISC 0BSD BSL-1.0 Unlicense CC0-1.0

Guides

The concept of copyleft Permissive vs copyleft Code with no license Dual licensing SPDX identifiers only vs or-later Compatibility basics Applying a license

Open Source License Generator

Generator Compare Compatibility About Contact Privacy Policy

The content on this site is general information, not legal advice. For actual distribution, contracts or disputes, consult a lawyer or other qualified professional.

© 2026 Open Source License Generator · 2423_LICENSE_GEN · All rights reserved.