GNU Affero General Public License v3.0

Open source.
No exceptions.

BareWP is licensed under AGPL-3.0. That means the source is always open — whether you run it yourself, fork it, or build a SaaS on top.

Read the full licenseView on GitHub →
THE FOUR FREEDOMS

What the license gives you

AGPL-3.0 is built on the four software freedoms. Plain-English version:

01

Run it anywhere

Use BareWP for any purpose. On your laptop, a $5 VPS, or a rack of servers. No usage limits, no licensing fees, no activation keys.

02

Read every line

The entire codebase is public. Audit the security model, understand what runs on your server, or just satisfy your curiosity.

03

Fork and modify

Adapt BareWP to your exact workflow. Change the UI, wire in your own backup provider, or strip out features you don't need.

04

Share your changes

If you distribute a modified version — or run it as a service for others — you must publish the source. The loop stays open.

AGPL vs GPL

One extra rule — for a good reason

GPL protects software you distribute. AGPL closes the "SaaS loophole" — it also protects software you run as a service.

GPL-3.0
  • →Source must be shared when you distribute binaries
  • →Modifications must stay GPL
  • →Running privately on your own servers is fine
  • →Building a hosted SaaS? No obligation to release your changes
The SaaS loophole is open
AGPL-3.0
  • →Same as GPL — distribute binaries → share source
  • →Modifications must stay AGPL
  • →Running privately on your own servers is fine
  • →Running a service for others → you must publish your changes
The loop is always closed
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

Common scenarios

Scenario
Cost
Source obligation
License
Self-hosting for your own agency
✓ Free
✓ No obligation
✓ Keep private
Forking and modifying privately
✓ Free
✓ No obligation
✓ Keep private
Distributing a modified binary
✓ Free
Must release source
Must stay AGPL
Offering it as a managed service
✓ Free
Must release source
Must stay AGPL
White-labelling for clients
✓ Free
Must release source
Must stay AGPL
Commercial use (any of the above)
✓ Always free
Depends on above
Depends on above

This table is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Read the full license text for authoritative terms.

WHY WE CHOSE AGPL-3.0

Open source shouldn't have a back door.

WordPress itself is GPL. The whole ecosystem — plugins, themes, hosting tooling — is built on the assumption that the code stays open. We wanted BareWP to live by those same rules.

MIT and Apache are great for libraries. For a server application that touches dozens of client sites and runs as infrastructure, we wanted a license that guarantees the source stays public no matter who runs it or how.

If a company forks BareWP and builds a managed service on top, their users deserve to see what's running. AGPL makes that a legal requirement, not a courtesy.

We have no plans to offer a proprietary version. AGPL signals that — clearly, legally, permanently.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

License questions

SELF-HOSTABLE · AGPL-3.0 · NO TELEMETRY

The code is yours.
Go build something.

Get started nowView source →