List dependency licenses
One per line — common SPDX identifiers like MIT, Apache-2.0, or GPL-3.0.
LICENSE OBLIGATION REVIEW
License Compatibility Checker
Review dependency and generated-code license obligations against your planned project's distribution model.
- Uses your inputs in a transparent calculation
- Instant result with practical next steps
- No signup required
Planning guidance only. Validate important decisions with customer evidence and your delivery team.
YOUR INPUTS
Build your result
Complete every field. The result updates only when you choose Calculate.
How it works
Pick your distribution model
Closed SaaS, closed distributed software, and open source each interact differently with copyleft licenses.
Review flagged conflicts
Each license gets a risk level and a plain-language note on why.
Continue learning: Open source licensing basics for founders
Frequently asked questions
Why does AGPL matter even for SaaS that isn't distributed?
AGPL specifically closes the "SaaS loophole" — it treats network-accessible use as distribution, meaning it can trigger obligations even if you never ship the code itself.
Is this legal advice?
No. It's a heuristic first-pass check based on common license categories. Any commercial launch should get a real legal review, especially if high-risk licenses are flagged.
What if my license isn't recognized?
It's flagged as needing manual verification — the heuristic only classifies a set of common SPDX identifiers, not every license variant in existence.
How is risk determined?
A simple categorization (permissive, weak copyleft, strong copyleft) cross-referenced against your stated distribution model — not a comprehensive legal analysis.
How We Compare
| Feature | MVPHub | FOSSA | Snyk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant heuristic check | Included | Not included | Not included |
| No account or repo scan required | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Distribution-model-aware risk levels | Included | Included | Limited |
| Automated scanning of your actual dependency tree | Not included | Included | Included |
FOSSA and Snyk scan your actual dependency tree automatically and track it continuously. This tool is a fast manual check for a specific list of licenses you already have in front of you.
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