# Apache 2.0 vs BSD 3-Clause: what is the difference?

**Short answer:** Apache 2.0: commercial use, modification, redistribution: Yes. BSD 3-Clause: the same uses: Yes.

Apache 2.0: Use, reproduce, modify, sublicense and distribute for any purpose, with an express patent license; keep notices, include the license and mark changed files. BSD 3-Clause: Redistribute and use with or without modification, keeping the notice, conditions and disclaimer; contributors' names may not be used to endorse your product.

## Apache 2.0: commercial use, modification, redistribution — Yes

License: [Apache License 2.0](https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0) (`Apache-2.0`, curated)

- Every use you described is granted by Apache 2.0, and nothing you described is prohibited.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, state_changes
## BSD 3-Clause: the same uses — Yes

License: [BSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License](https://opensource.org/license/bsd-3-clause) (`BSD-3-Clause`, curated)

- Every use you described is granted by BSD 3-Clause, and nothing you described is prohibited.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, no_endorsement

## Duties and notes compared
- **Apache-2.0**: duties attribution, license_notice, state_changes. Includes an express patent license that ends for anyone who sues over patents in the work (section 3). Does not grant rights to the licensor's trademarks (section 6).
- **BSD-3-Clause**: duties attribution, license_notice, no_endorsement. Sublicensing is not mentioned, so it is not treated as granted.

Combined in one work: **compatible**.

## Context
- The duties differ: compare the duties and notes listed for each license below.

## Sources
- [Apache License 2.0: official text](https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
- [Apache-2.0 on the SPDX License List](https://spdx.org/licenses/Apache-2.0.html)
- [BSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License: official text](https://opensource.org/license/bsd-3-clause)
- [BSD-3-Clause on the SPDX License List](https://spdx.org/licenses/BSD-3-Clause.html)

## Check it yourself (free, no key)
```json
{
  "tool": "check_license",
  "arguments": {
    "license": "Apache-2.0",
    "intended_use": {
      "commercial_use": true,
      "modification": true,
      "redistribution": true
    }
  }
}
```
REST: POST https://www.rightshold.com/v1/licenses/check

_Computed from Rightshold's license profiles; not legal advice. Updated 2026-10-19. JSON: https://www.rightshold.com/answers/apache-2-0-vs-bsd-3-clause.json_