LicensesAGPL-3.0-only
Strong CopyleftOSI Approved
GNU AGPL 3.0
A GPL-style copyleft license that also reaches network-delivered software, not just distributed binaries.
The right tool when you want hosted-service operators to share modifications too.
Family
Strong Copyleft
Reciprocity
Network copyleft
Patent Grant
Included
Closed Source
Restricted
What It Lets You Do
- Modification, redistribution, private use, and commercial use under AGPL terms.
- Reuse in hosted services if service operators comply with source obligations.
What It Requires
- Operators must offer corresponding source to users who interact with the software over a network.
- Distributed derivatives remain under AGPL-compatible terms.
- Notices and license text must be preserved.
Advantages
- Strongest reciprocity for cloud-first software.
- Prevents the classic 'host it privately, never contribute back' outcome.
Tradeoffs
- Very high adoption friction.
- Often unsuitable for foundational NuGet packages expected to spread widely.
Restrictions And Gotchas
- Among the hardest mainstream licenses for proprietary SaaS companies to accept.
- Dependency compatibility analysis becomes critical.