HACKER Q&A
📣 KingOfCoders

SaaS startup with open sourcing the code?


Hello HNers, after several startups I'm planning a startup were the code is open source and developed (also) by the users of the startup.

How would you do this? AGPL? What would be your concerns?

Thanks for any input from the community, especially if you have done that before.


  👤 techjuice Accepted Answer ✓
Having a SaaS with open source code is possible, but probably best to consult with an attorney to insure the license being used is going to match up with your business plans.

👤 gdiocarez
I have seen a similar process on some open-source blockchain projects where they just award people who fix issues within the code.

👤 zzo38computer
You could use AGPL and offer an additional commercial license, which is what Artifex does with Ghostscript.

👤 verdverm
A restrictive license will restrict adoption. Don't expect much help until there is traction