# Apache 2.0 vs GPL 3.0: what is the difference?

**Short answer:** Apache 2.0: commercial use, modification, redistribution: Yes. GPL 3.0: 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. GPL 3.0: Run, study, change and share the software, including commercially. If you convey it or a work based on it, you must do so under the GPL with the corresponding source.

## 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
## GPL 3.0: the same uses — Yes

License: [GNU General Public License v3.0](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html) (`GPL-3.0-only`, curated)

- Every use you described is granted by GPL 3.0, and nothing you described is prohibited.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, state_changes, share_alike, source_disclosure

## 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).
- **GPL-3.0-only**: duties attribution, license_notice, state_changes, share_alike, source_disclosure. Sublicensing is not allowed; every recipient receives a license from the original licensors (sections 2 and 10). Running the software, including as a network service, does not by itself trigger the duty to share source; conveying copies does.

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)
- [GNU General Public License v3.0: official text](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html)
- [GPL-3.0-only on the SPDX License List](https://spdx.org/licenses/GPL-3.0-only.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-gpl-3-0.json_