ChooseALicense
Choose a License offers guidance to help developers select an open-source license for a project.
About ChooseALicense
ChooseALicense is a web guide for developers who need to choose an open source license for a project. It asks which situation best describes the project, then suggests a license for that situation. The homepage states that an open source license protects contributors and users.
The homepage describes two licenses in detail. The MIT License is short and permissive and allows closed source versions of the project. The GNU GPLv3 allows almost any use but does not allow distributing closed source versions. The site also mentions licenses for projects that are not software and says more licenses are available. The homepage excerpt does not describe the full set of licenses or the outcome of the option for users who do not want to choose a license.
Key features
- Asks which situation best describes the project, then suggests matching licenses
- Recommends the license used by the community a project contributes to or depends on
- Describes the MIT License as short, permissive, and allowing closed source versions
- Describes the GNU GPLv3 as permissive except for distributing closed source versions
- Lists named example projects that use the MIT License and the GNU GPLv3
- Offers a language selector with seven language options
Best for: Developers who want a plain-language starting point for choosing an open source license for a project.
Good for
- Organizes license choices around the user's stated situation
- Gives named example projects for each license it describes
- Provides the interface in several languages
ChooseALicense at a glance
- Website
- choosealicense.com
- Category
- Development › Developer Tools
- Type
- Online tool
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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ChooseALicense FAQ
What if a dependency does not have a license?
The homepage advises asking the dependency's maintainers to add a license.
Which licenses does the homepage describe in detail?
It describes the MIT License and the GNU GPLv3. It also says licenses exist for projects that are not software and that more licenses are available.
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