GNU AGPL v3

The Affero GPL (AGPL) is designed to close the "SaaS Loophole." Unlike standard GPL, if you run AGPL software on a server and users interact with it over a network (e.g., a website), you MUST share your source code with them if you modified the software.

🛡️ RISK BADGE: 🔴 CRITICAL (For SaaS)

Executive Summary: What is it?

The Affero GPL (AGPL) is an OSI-Approved, strong copyleft license designed to close the "SaaS Loophole." Unlike standard GPL, if you run AGPL software on a server and users interact with it over a network (e.g., a website), you MUST share your source code with them if you modified the software.

CFO / Business Impact: What does it cost/risk?

Maximum Business Risk. Many large tech companies have a blanket ban on AGPL code. If you modify an AGPL tool to build your SaaS, you may be legally required to open-source your entire backend.

Technical Reality: How does it work?

Be extremely careful with databases or backend services using this license. Using it "as-is" without modification is usually safe, but integration requires legal review.

Similar Alternatives

MIT License

The MIT License is the most permissive and popular open-source license. It allows you to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell the software. The only requirement is that you include the original copyright notice in your copy.

Apache License 2.0

The Apache 2.0 is a modern permissive license favored by large enterprises (Google, Android, Kubernetes). Like MIT, it allows full commercial use. Crucially, it includes an explicit patent grant, protecting you from patent lawsuits from the contributors.

BSD 3-Clause License

The BSD 3-Clause License (also known as "New BSD" or "Modified BSD") is a permissive free software license. It is very similar to the MIT License, allowing you to use, modify, and distribute the software for any purpose. The key difference is an added clause that prohibits using the nam...

GNU LGPL v3

The LGPL (Lesser General Public License) is a compromise between the permissive Apache/MIT and the strict GPL. It allows you to link your proprietary software to an LGPL library (dynamically) without forcing your proprietary code to become open source. However, if you modify the LGPL li...