Glossary

What is Open source?

Software whose source code is published under a license that lets anyone use, modify, and redistribute it.

Common licenses include MIT, Apache 2.0, and GPL. Some companies use "open core": an open-source base with paid hosted or enterprise features.

Source-available licenses that restrict commercial use aren't open source by the OSI definition.

Why it matters when you launch

Open-source launches get extra distribution through GitHub, Hacker News, and awesome-lists.

Related terms