Serial Studio uses a dual-license model to clearly separate open-source usage from commercial distribution. This protects long-term sustainability, enables community collaboration, and enforces strict boundaries around proprietary features.

GPLv3 License (LICENSES/GPL-3.0-only.txt)
Applies to the open-source portions of the codebase.
You may use, modify, and redistribute under GPLv3 only if all compliance conditions are met:

• No Pro modules
• Built from source
• GPL-compatible Qt and dependencies

Commercial License (LICENSES/LicenseRef-SerialStudio-Commercial.txt)
Governs all official binaries, builds with Pro modules, and commercial usage.
Required for:

• Commercial, institutional, or enterprise use
• Redistributing official builds
• Activating gated features like MQTT, 3D, XY plotting, or licensing systems

Full License Agreement (LICENSE.md)
Central legal document detailing:

• Dual-license structure
• Trial limitations
• Qt licensing requirements
• Contributor License Agreement (CLA)
• Trademark use and forking restrictions
• Enforcement and DMCA policy

Serial Studio is:

• ✅ Free to use and contribute to under GPLv3, as long as:
  • You exclude Pro modules
  • You compile from source
  • You comply with all GPLv3 and Qt OSS requirements
• ❌ Not free to use in any commercial, enterprise, or Pro-enabled build
• ❌ Not redistributable under GPL if it includes or links to proprietary modules
• 🔒 Legally protected from trial bypassing, activation circumvention, or unauthorized distribution of Pro features

To contribute, you must sign a CLA which:

• Grants the maintainer rights to license your work under both GPLv3 and the Commercial License
• Confirms you have legal rights to your contributions
• Enables use of your code in both open-source and proprietary contexts

No pull requests will be merged without an accepted CLA.

For a detailed breakdown of what features are available in each license tier, see:

Pro vs Free Features Comparison

This page includes:

• Complete feature comparison table
• Explanation of Pro-only features (MQTT, Modbus, CAN Bus, Binary Direct mode, MDF4, etc.)
• Pricing information
• Educational discounts
• How to earn a free Pro license through contributions

• LICENSE.md — Full Dual-License Agreement
• LICENSES/GPL-3.0-only.txt — GPLv3 License Text
• LICENSES/LicenseRef-SerialStudio-Commercial.txt — Commercial License Terms

For commercial licensing or legal questions, contact [email protected].

• Pro vs Free Features - Detailed feature comparison
• Earn a Pro License - Contribute for free access
• Support Serial Studio - Other ways to help
• Buy Serial Studio Pro - Purchase Pro license