# GPL 3.0 vs LGPL 3.0: what is the difference?

**Short answer:** GPL 3.0: commercial use, modification, redistribution: Yes. LGPL 3.0: the same uses: Yes.

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. LGPL 3.0: Use the library in any program, including proprietary ones; changes to the library itself, when conveyed, stay under the LGPL with source, and users must be able to relink a modified version.

## GPL 3.0: commercial use, modification, redistribution — 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
## LGPL 3.0: the same uses — Yes

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

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

Duties: attribution, license_notice, share_alike, source_disclosure

## Duties and notes compared
- **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.
- **LGPL-3.0-only**: duties attribution, license_notice, share_alike, source_disclosure. The copyleft duties apply to the library and modified versions of it, not to an application that only links to it.

Combined in one work: **compatible**.

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

## Sources
- [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)
- [GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0: official text](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-3.0.html)
- [LGPL-3.0-only on the SPDX License List](https://spdx.org/licenses/LGPL-3.0-only.html)

## Check it yourself (free, no key)
```json
{
  "tool": "check_license",
  "arguments": {
    "license": "GPL-3.0-only",
    "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/gpl-3-0-vs-lgpl-3-0.json_