Open Source License Generator: Choose the Right License for Your Project
Choosing the right open source license is one of the most important decisions when publishing software. A license defines exactly how others can use, modify, and distribute your work. Without one, your code is fully copyright-protected by default and others cannot legally use it, even if it is publicly visible on GitHub.
Our Open Source License Generator makes the process instant. Select from 10 of the most widely used licenses, enter your name and year, and get production-ready LICENSE file text in seconds. No account required, no data sent anywhere.
Each license template is filled with your copyright information to produce a complete, legally valid LICENSE file:
Permissive vs Copyleft Licenses
**Permissive licenses** (MIT, ISC, BSD, Apache-2.0) allow anyone to use your code in any project, including proprietary commercial software, as long as they include your copyright notice. They impose minimal restrictions on downstream users.
**Copyleft licenses** (GPL-3.0, LGPL-2.1, MPL-2.0) require that derivative works also be distributed under the same or compatible license. This ensures that improvements to open source software remain open source.
Patent Protection
The Apache-2.0 license includes an explicit patent grant, meaning contributors grant users a royalty-free patent license for any patents they hold that are necessarily infringed by their contributions. This is important for enterprise use cases where patent litigation is a concern. MIT and BSD do not include such clauses.
Practical Examples
Small personal project
- 1.Recommended: MIT License
- 2.Why: Simple, widely recognized, and maximally permissive
- 3.Result: Anyone can use your code with minimal obligations
Enterprise or corporate open source
- 1.Recommended: Apache-2.0 License
- 2.Why: Includes patent protection clause
- 3.Result: Protects contributors and users from patent claims
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an open source license?
An open source license is a legal document that grants others permission to use, modify, and distribute your software. Without a license, your code is legally protected by copyright and others technically cannot use it even if it's publicly available.
Which license should I choose for my project?
MIT and ISC are ideal for maximum permissiveness - anyone can use your code in any project including commercial ones. GPL-3.0 requires derivative works to also be open source (copyleft). Apache-2.0 adds patent protection. CC0 dedicates your work fully to the public domain.
What is the difference between MIT and Apache-2.0?
Both are permissive licenses, but Apache-2.0 includes an explicit patent grant clause, protecting users from patent litigation from contributors. MIT is simpler and shorter. For most projects, MIT is sufficient; for larger projects with potential patent concerns, Apache-2.0 is recommended.
Can I use MIT-licensed code in a commercial product?
Yes. MIT, ISC, BSD-2-Clause, BSD-3-Clause, and Apache-2.0 all allow commercial use. You only need to include the original copyright notice and license text. GPL-3.0 and LGPL require you to also open-source your modifications.
Does this tool send my name or data to any server?
No. All license generation happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your author name and year are never transmitted anywhere. The tool works fully offline once the page is loaded.
What is the Unlicense?
The Unlicense is a template for dedicating your software to the public domain. It is the most permissive option - users have no obligations whatsoever. It is similar to CC0 but specifically written for software.
Can I use CC0 for software?
CC0 was designed primarily for creative works (art, data, text) but can be applied to software. However, the Unlicense is generally preferred for software public domain dedication as it is specifically written for code.
Do I need to include the full license text in my repository?
Yes. Best practice is to create a LICENSE or LICENSE.txt file in the root of your repository with the full license text. This tool generates exactly that text, ready to paste.