VelvetCMS Licensing
Fair code. Fair price. No tricks.
Different Products, Different Licenses
Most follow a simple rule: making money? License required. Not making money? Completely free.
Core
- Fully open source
- Personal & commercial use
- Modify & redistribute
- No license fees
VelvetCMS
- Admin panel & block editor
- Free for non-commercial
- License for business use
Fleet
- Multi-site management
- No free tier
- Professional support
The Dual License
For VelvetCMS and Extended modules, it's straightforward.
Non-Commercial
- ✅ Personal blogs & hobby sites
- ✅ Learning & experimentation
- ✅ Student projects & education
- ✅ Registered non-profits
- ✅ Open source projects (no revenue)
- ❌ No commercial use
- ❌ No client work
- ❌ No revenue generation
For Business
- ✅ Business & company websites
- ✅ Client projects (paid or unpaid)
- ✅ Freelance & agency work
- ✅ E-commerce & SaaS products
- ✅ Sites with ads or affiliates
- ✅ Priority support
- ✅ Redistribution rights
- ✅ Legal protection & indemnity
Common Questions
Quick answers to licensing questions.
Is VelvetCMS open source?
Core is fully open source under Apache 2.0. The add-on products are source-available with dual licensing: free for non-commercial, license required for business.
Building a site for a friend?
Yes, license needed if the site is for a business or will generate revenue. It's based on the site's purpose, not whether you got paid.
Personal blog with affiliate links?
If you're making money from it (ads, affiliates, sponsorships), you need a commercial license. Even a few dollars counts.
Can I try before buying?
Yes. You have a 90-day evaluation period to build and test your project locally before purchasing a license.
Non-profit generating revenue?
Once you're generating revenue, you'll need a commercial license. We offer discounted rates for transitioning organizations.
Per site or per developer?
Licensing details will be finalized closer to launch. Reach out to sales@velvetcms.com for early pricing.
Modules I create?
Modules you create are yours. License them however you want - GPL, MIT, proprietary, paid. We don't claim rights to your code.
Edge case?
Just ask us. We're reasonable people and happy to clarify any situation.
Why This Model?
Core is Apache 2.0 because a framework should be free. Build startups, client projects, SaaS products - we don't want a cut of your business just for using the foundation.
The add-on products are different. They're polished tools that save you weeks of development. If they're making you money, license fees fund continued development, security patches, and support.
Questions?
Not sure which license applies to your situation? Just ask.