{"id":18857,"date":"2026-01-23T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.credativ.de\/blog\/credativ-inside\/what-postgresql-licensing-terms-apply\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T09:27:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T07:27:36","slug":"what-postgresql-licensing-terms-apply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.credativ.de\/en\/blog\/credativ-inside\/what-postgresql-licensing-terms-apply\/","title":{"rendered":"What PostgreSQL licensing terms apply?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PostgreSQL\u00ae uses a permissive open-source license known as the PostgreSQL License. It is based on the BSD license and allows both commercial and non-commercial use without restrictions. Companies can use, modify, and redistribute PostgreSQL<\/a> free of charge, and only need to retain the original copyright notice. <\/p>\n\n

What is the PostgreSQL License, and why is it so popular?<\/h2>\n\n

The PostgreSQL License<\/strong> is a BSD-like open-source license that grants maximum freedom in using the database. It was specifically designed to offer both developers and companies the greatest possible flexibility, without the legal complexities of other licensing models. <\/p>\n\n

This license is particularly popular with companies because it contains no copyleft provisions<\/a>. This means you can integrate PostgreSQL<\/a> into proprietary software without having to disclose your own application\u2019s source code. The license dates back to 1996 and has since established itself as a stable, trusted licensing model. <\/p>\n\n

The core characteristics make PostgreSQL attractive for commercial projects: no license fees, no limits on the number of users or installations, and full control over modifications. Companies particularly value the legal certainty and the ability to use PostgreSQL without long-term contractual commitments. <\/p>\n\n

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What rights and obligations do companies have when using PostgreSQL?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Specifically, the rights include: unlimited commercial use in any line of business, modification of the source code to meet your requirements, redistribution of both the original and modified versions, and integration into closed, proprietary software solutions without any disclosure obligation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With PostgreSQL, companies receive extensive usage rights<\/strong> with no significant restrictions. They may use the database commercially, modify the source code, create their own versions, and even sell them. Integration into proprietary software is explicitly permitted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The obligations are minimal and limited to a few points: the original copyright notice must remain included in all copies or substantial portions of the software. In addition, you must respect the original developers\u2019 disclaimer of liability. Attribution in documentation or About dialogs is not mandatory, but it is appreciated. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n