Unlocking the Power of n8n’s Sustainable Use License: Your Guide to Free Use and Commercial Restrictions
Ever wondered how you can use powerful software without breaking the bank? Well, let me introduce you to n8n’s Sustainable Use License. It’s like getting the keys to a Ferrari, but you don’t have to pay a dime if you’re using it for personal or internal business purposes. Sounds too good to be true? Stick with me, and I’ll break down how this license works and how it can benefit you. And hey, if you’re thinking about using it commercially, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered there too.
What is the Sustainable Use License?
Launched by n8n in 2022, the Sustainable Use License is a fair-code software license designed to strike a balance between user freedom and business sustainability. Here’s the deal: you can use, modify, create derivative works, and redistribute the software for your internal business or non-commercial/personal use. No strings attached! But, there’s a catch if you want to go commercial.
Let’s dive into the specifics:
- Free Use for Internal and Non-Commercial Purposes: You can use n8n to sync your company data, create custom n8n nodes for your products, or even provide consulting services related to n8n. It’s all about empowering you to do more with less.
- Restrictions on Commercial Use: If you’re thinking about white-labeling n8n for sale or hosting it for a fee, hold up. These activities are off-limits under the Sustainable Use License. You’ll need to sign a separate commercial agreement under the n8n Embed mode for that.
What You Can and Can’t Do
Wondering what exactly you can do with n8n under this license? Let’s break it down:
- Allowed Uses:
- Syncing company data
- Creating n8n nodes for your products
- Providing consulting services related to n8n
- Using n8n as a back-end to power a feature in your app (as long as you’re not using users’ own credentials to access their data)
- Prohibited Uses:
- White-labeling n8n for sale
- Hosting n8n for a fee
- Altering, removing, or obscuring any licensing, copyright, or other notices in the software
See how straightforward it is? n8n wants to give you the freedom to innovate and grow, but they also need to protect their business model. It’s a win-win!
The Evolution of n8n’s Licensing
Before the Sustainable Use License, n8n used the Apache 2.0 with Commons Clause license. But here’s the thing: it was less permissive and created a lot of uncertainty for users. So, n8n decided to switch things up and introduce a more permissive license that clarifies allowed uses and lifts restrictions on consulting and support services.
Now, you might be thinking, “Is n8n open source?” Well, according to the Open Source Initiative (OSI) definition, n8n doesn’t consider itself open source due to the license’s restrictions on use. But don’t let that discourage you. n8n’s approach is what they call “fair-code”—it’s generally free to use, has openly available source code, and is commercially restricted. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between freedom and sustainability.
Contributing to n8n
Want to contribute to n8n’s code? Awesome! But before you dive in, remember that contributors are subject to GitHub’s terms and must sign n8n’s contributor agreement. It’s all about keeping things smooth and ensuring everyone’s on the same page.
n8n’s Mission and Vision
At its core, n8n’s mission is to provide technical superpowers to users while ensuring business sustainability through the license. They want to empower you to do more, achieve more, and grow more—all while keeping their business model intact. It’s a bold vision, but one that’s achievable with the right balance of freedom and responsibility.
So, what do you think? Ready to harness the power of n8n’s Sustainable Use License? Whether you’re using it for internal business purposes or exploring non-commercial opportunities, n8n has your back. And if you’re looking to go commercial, just remember to sign that separate agreement.
Want to dive deeper into n8n’s licensing model or explore other resources? Check out our other articles and guides to boost your understanding and take your projects to the next level!
