How Open Source Companies Build a Developer Licensing Business

Episode 38 of The Open Source Business with Fexingo explores how open-source companies are turning developer licensing into a sustainable revenue stream. Hosts Lucas and Luna break down the strategy behind offering free community editions alongside paid commercial licenses, using real-world examples like MongoDB's SSPL shift, GitLab's tiered subscription model, and Red Hat's licensing history. They dive into the tension between keeping code free and building a viable business, the role of custom licensing terms (like the BSL), and how companies decide what to charge for without alienating their community. If you're building or running an open-source company, this episode gives you a concrete framework for thinking about license-driven revenue—without losing the developer trust that made you successful in the first place. #OpenSource #DeveloperLicensing #BusinessModel #MongoDB #GitLab #RedHat #BSL #SSPL #CommunityEdition #CommercialLicense #RevenueStrategy #FreeSoftware #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #TechBusiness #Licensing #DevTools #SaaS Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo