What is Open Source License Generator?
Choosing a license decides how others can use your code — and it is a must-do step for every open source project. This generator covers the 7 most popular licenses: MIT (the permissive default), Apache-2.0 (with patent grant), GPL-3.0 (strong copyleft), BSD-3-Clause, ISC, MPL-2.0 (weak copyleft), and Unlicense (public domain). Pick a license, enter the copyright holder and year, and get a complete, standards-compliant LICENSE file you can copy or download instantly. Short descriptions help you understand the trade-offs.
▶Use Cases5 scenarios
- ◆Adding a LICENSE before open-sourcing a project
- ◆Making internal code public
- ◆Learning license differences
- ◆Meeting academic compliance requirements
- ◆Preparing an npm package for publish
▶How to Use4 steps
- 1Choose a license type
- 2Enter the copyright holder name
- 3Set the year (defaults to current)
- 4Copy or download the LICENSE file
▶Features8 features
- ✓Free
- ✓No signup
- ✓7 popular licenses
- ✓License comparison notes
- ✓One-click copy
- ✓Download LICENSE file
- ✓Standards-compliant text
- ✓Bilingual UI
▶FAQ4 questions
Which license is the most popular?
MIT is the most popular permissive license — anyone can use, modify, and distribute your code freely as long as they keep the copyright notice.
What is the difference between GPL and MIT?
GPL is copyleft: derivative works must be open-sourced under the same license. MIT has no such requirement and allows closed-source use.
Is the generated license legally binding?
The text is based on official license templates, but this tool is not legal advice. Consult a professional for important projects.
Can I use these licenses commercially?
Yes. Permissive licenses like MIT, Apache, BSD, and ISC all allow commercial use. GPL allows it too, but derivatives must stay open source.