# Licensing

> Learn about Starlake's dual licensing model: Open Source for the core engine and Elastic License for server side features. Understand what you can do with each license.

## When Open Source Isn't Truly Open

While many tools claim to be open source, their usefulness is limited if the actual execution engine remains locked behind proprietary runtimes or tightly controlled SaaS platforms. True openness requires more than just readable code, it means giving teams the freedom to **run, schedule, and scale pipelines on their own terms**.  
Unlike other frameworks that rely on closed, self-managed orchestrators, **Starlake integrates natively with standard open orchestrators** like **Apache Airflow**, **Dagster**, **AWS Managed Workflows**, and **Google Cloud Composer**. You can even plug in **any orchestrator** as long as you write the required orchestration templates.  
This gives you full control over your infrastructure, compliance, cost, and cloud strategy all while remaining truly open.

# Licensing at Starlake

At Starlake, we balance the best of both worlds: the transparency and community of open source, and the sustainability and innovation of a commercial platform.

We offer two licensing models:

- **Starlake CLI**: Open Source under Apache 2.0. Starlake CLI is the core engine that powers all Starlake components, allowing you to build and run data pipelines with full freedom.
- **Starlake Copilot**: Open Source under Apache 2.0. Starlake Copilot is the AI assistant that helps you build and manage your data pipelines using natural language prompts.
- **Starlake Cockpit**: Source-available under Elastic License. Starlake Cockpit provides a user-friendly interface for managing and monitoring your data pipelines.

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## Starlake CLI & Copilot - Open Source (Apache 2.0)

**Starlake** - the declarative data pipeline engine behind all Starlake components - is licensed under the [Apache 2.0 License](https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0), allowing:

- CLI and SDK usage
- VSCode integration
- MCP Server Support

- Full access to source code  
- Commercial and non-commercial usage  
- Forking, modifying, and redistribution

✅ **You are free to:**

- Use it in production  
- Embed it in your internal or customer projects  
- Contribute improvements to the open community

This ensures your pipelines are powered by an open, auditable, and portable engine - with no license fees or lock-in.

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## Starlake Cockpit - Elastic License

**Starlake Cockpit**, essentially the **Web UI**, is released under the [Elastic License 2.0 (ELv2)](https://www.elastic.co/licensing/elastic-license).

This model ensures we can sustainably grow and maintain advanced features while keeping the platform accessible.

✅ **What you can do:**

- Use it freely inside your organization  
- Build and deliver **solutions to your customers** using Starlake Cockpit  
- Include it as part of **consulting or deployment work**  

🚫 **What is not allowed:**

- Offering the Starlake Cockpit **as a managed or hosted service to third parties**  
- Reselling the API  
- Creating a competing commercial SaaS

In short: **you can use it freely - even commercially - to serve clients. Just not as a hosted product offering.**

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## Summary Table

| Feature                         | Starlake CLI (Apache 2.0) | Starlake Cockpit (Elastic License)      |
|---------------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| License Type                    | Open Source                 | Source-available, usage-restricted    |
| Can use in production           | ✅ Yes                      | ✅ Yes                                |
| Build solutions for customers   | ✅ Yes                      | ✅ Yes (non-hosted)                   |
| Commercial redistribution       | ✅ Allowed                  | ❌ Not allowed                        |
| Host as a service               | ✅ Yes                      | ❌ Not allowed                        |
| Modify and contribute           | ✅ Yes                      | ✅ Yes                                |
| VS Code extension               | ✅ Yes                      | ✅ Yes                                |
| MCP Server                      | ✅ Yes                      | ✅ Yes                                |
| Cost (internal & consulting use)| Free                        | Free                                  |

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## Supporting Sustainability

Our dual license approach ensures:

- Open collaboration and transparency remain at the core  
- Commercial users get advanced tools and support  
- Revenue supports ongoing innovation, maintenance, and enterprise reliability

This model allows us to offer long-term value, rapid innovation, and community alignment without compromising on openness.

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## 💬 Questions?

We’d love to hear from you.  
Ask us anything on [Discord](https://discord.gg/6tNa7yCNqw), GitHub, or via [hello@starlake.ai](mailto:hello@starlake.ai)