---
title: Licenses
description: Documenso uses a dual licensing model with an open-source AGPL-3.0 license (Community Edition) and a commercial license (Enterprise Edition).
---

import { Accordion, Accordions } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/accordion';
import { Callout } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/callout';
import { Tab, Tabs } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/tabs';

## Dual Licensing Overview

| Aspect                        | Community Edition                                         | Enterprise Edition                                            |
| ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **License**                   | AGPL-3.0                                                  | Commercial                                                    |
| **Cost**                      | Free                                                      | Paid                                                          |
| **Source code disclosure**    | Required for network use                                  | Not required                                                  |
| **Proprietary modifications** | Not permitted                                             | Permitted                                                     |
| **Support**                   | Community                                                 | Dedicated                                                     |
| **Use case**                  | Open-source projects, internal tools with AGPL compliance | Commercial products, SaaS offerings, proprietary integrations |

<Tabs items={['Community Edition', 'Enterprise Edition']}>
<Tab value="Community Edition">

## Community Edition (AGPL-3.0)

The Community Edition is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3 (AGPL-3.0). This is a copyleft license that preserves software freedom.

### What AGPL-3.0 Allows

- Use Documenso for any purpose, including commercial use
- Access, study, and modify the source code
- Distribute copies of the original or modified software
- Self-host Documenso on your own infrastructure

### What AGPL-3.0 Requires

The AGPL-3.0 has specific requirements that apply when you modify or distribute Documenso:

**Source Code Disclosure**: If you modify Documenso and make it available over a network, you must provide access to the complete source code of your modified version under AGPL-3.0.

**Attribution**: You must keep all copyright notices intact and include a copy of the AGPL-3.0 license with any distribution.

**Same License**: Derivative works must be licensed under AGPL-3.0.

<Callout type="info">
  The "network clause" is the distinguishing feature of AGPL-3.0. Unlike GPL-3.0, AGPL-3.0 treats
  network access as distribution. If users interact with your modified Documenso instance over a
  network, you must provide them access to the source code.
</Callout>

### When to Use Community Edition

The Community Edition is appropriate when you:

- Are building an open-source project
- Can comply with AGPL-3.0 requirements
- Use Documenso internally without modifications
- Want to contribute to the open-source ecosystem
- Do not need to keep modifications proprietary

See [Community Edition](/docs/policies/community-edition) for complete details.

</Tab>
<Tab value="Enterprise Edition">

## Enterprise Edition (Commercial License)

The Enterprise Edition provides a commercial license that removes the AGPL-3.0 requirements. This allows organisations to use, modify, and integrate Documenso without source code disclosure obligations.

### What the Enterprise License Provides

**No Source Code Disclosure**: Keep your modifications private. You are not required to share changes with users or the public.

**Proprietary Integration**: Integrate Documenso into proprietary products and services without licensing conflicts.

**Commercial Support**: Access to dedicated support channels and SLAs.

**Additional Features**: Enterprise-specific features not available in the Community Edition.

### When to Use Enterprise Edition

The Enterprise Edition is appropriate when you:

- Build commercial products that incorporate Documenso
- Offer document signing as part of a SaaS platform
- Cannot or prefer not to open-source your modifications
- Need to comply with corporate policies that prohibit AGPL software
- Require dedicated support and SLAs

<Callout type="warn">
  If you modify Documenso and provide network access to users (internal or external) without
  complying with AGPL-3.0 source disclosure requirements, you need an Enterprise license.
</Callout>

See [Enterprise Edition](/docs/policies/enterprise-edition) for complete details and pricing.

</Tab>
</Tabs>

## Choosing the Right License

Use this decision tree to determine which license fits your needs:

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="Do you modify Documenso?">
    **No modifications**: Both licenses work. Community Edition is free and sufficient if you run Documenso as-is.

    **Yes, with modifications**: Continue to the next question.

  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="Are your modifications available as open source?">
    **Yes, under AGPL-3.0**: Community Edition is appropriate. Your modifications must be available to users who access your instance.

    **No, modifications are proprietary**: Enterprise Edition is required.

  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="Are you embedding Documenso in a commercial product?">
    **Open-source product under AGPL-3.0**: Community Edition is appropriate.

    **Proprietary product**: Enterprise Edition is required.

  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="Internal use only?">
    Using Documenso internally without providing network access to external users does not trigger AGPL-3.0 distribution requirements. However, if your organisation has policies against AGPL software or you make modifications you want to keep private, consider the Enterprise Edition.
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## License FAQ

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="Can I use the Community Edition for commercial purposes?">
    Yes. AGPL-3.0 permits commercial use. You must comply with the license terms, including source
    code disclosure if you modify and distribute or provide network access.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="Does using the Documenso API require a commercial license?">
    No. Calling the Documenso API from your application does not create a derivative work. Your
    application remains under your chosen license. However, if you modify Documenso itself and
    provide network access, AGPL-3.0 requirements apply.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title='What counts as a "modification" under AGPL-3.0?'>
    Modifying the source code, forking the repository and making changes, or linking Documenso
    libraries into your application in a way that creates a combined work. Configuration changes and
    using Documenso through its API are not modifications.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="Can I white-label Documenso?">
    You can change branding for your deployment under both licenses. Under AGPL-3.0, you must retain
    copyright notices and license information in the source code. Under the Enterprise license, you
    have more flexibility with branding requirements.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="Do signed documents fall under the license?">
    No. The license applies to the software, not content created with the software. Documents you
    sign are your property and are not subject to AGPL-3.0.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="What happens if I switch from Community to Enterprise Edition?">
    Your existing deployments can transition to the Enterprise license. Contact
    [sales](https://documen.so/enterprise) to discuss migration.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="Can I contribute to Documenso under the Enterprise license?">
    Contributions to the main Documenso repository are licensed under AGPL-3.0. The Enterprise
    license applies only to your private use and modifications.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="Is there a trial for the Enterprise Edition?">
    Contact [sales](https://documen.so/enterprise) to discuss evaluation options.
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Related

- [Licenses](/docs/policies/licenses) - Detailed AGPL-3.0 license explanation
- [Community Edition](/docs/policies/community-edition) - Open-source edition details
- [Enterprise Edition](/docs/policies/enterprise-edition) - Commercial license details
- [Full AGPL-3.0 License Text](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.html) - Complete license terms
- [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/documenso/documenso) - Source code and LICENSE file
