NocoDB Goes Fair-Code
We're adopting the fair-code model. Here's what it means for you.
Today we're announcing that NocoDB is adopting the fair-code distribution model. This is a significant step in our commitment to building software that is sustainable for us and fair for our community.
What is Fair-Code?
Fair-code is a model that sits between fully open-source and proprietary software. The source code is publicly available, you can use it for free in most scenarios, and you can modify it for your own needs. The key difference is that there are restrictions on reselling the software as a hosted service without a commercial license.
Fair-code ensures that the companies building these tools can sustain themselves, while users retain the transparency and flexibility they expect from open-source software.
What Changes for You
- Self-hosting for internal use remains completely free
- Source code stays publicly available on GitHub
- Community contributions continue under the same process
- Only cloud hosting for third parties requires a commercial license
We believe this is the right balance. It lets us invest in the product long-term — hiring engineers, maintaining infrastructure, and shipping features — while keeping NocoDB accessible to everyone who uses it for their own work.
If you have questions about how fair-code affects your use case, check our updated FAQ or reach out on Discord. We're happy to help.