Apache License 2.0
Like MIT, but with an explicit patent grant and contribution terms.
Commercial use
✓ Yes
Modify
✓ Yes
Distribute
✓ Yes
Must open source changes
✗ No
Must attribute
✓ Yes
Patent grant
✓ Yes
What this license means
Apache 2.0 is a permissive license similar to MIT but with two important additions: an explicit patent grant (contributors give you a license to any patents their code implements) and a contribution clause (anyone who submits a change implicitly agrees to these terms). Popular with corporate-backed projects.
When you encounter this license
Use Apache-licensed tools the same way as MIT — freely in any project. The patent grant gives you extra legal protection. If you're choosing between MIT and Apache for your own project, Apache is the safer choice for anything that might touch patents.
Watch out for
You must include the NOTICE file if one exists (many Apache projects have one). If you modify the code, you must state that you changed it. The patent grant terminates if you file a patent lawsuit against the project.
Tools using Apache License 2.0 (20)
Model framework for state-of-the-art ML
Production-Grade Container Scheduling and Management
Build desktop and mobile apps with web frontend
The Postgres development platform with auth, storage, and realtime
JavaScript API for Chrome and Firefox
The worlds fastest framework for building websites
Open source home automation
Web testing and automation framework
An extremely fast Python package and project manager, written in Rust.
Production-grade Spring applications
High-throughput LLM inference and serving engine
Data visualization and exploration platform
Fast, multi-platform web server with automatic HTTPS
Interactive charting and data visualization
Monitoring system and time series database
A cat clone with wings
PDF Reader in JavaScript
Self-hostable PaaS alternative to Vercel/Heroku
Distributed reliable key-value store
Free universal database tool and SQL client
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For licensing decisions in commercial products, consult a qualified attorney.