MIT vs BSD 3-Clause: what is the difference?

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

MIT: Deal in the software without restriction, including to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense and sell it, as long as the copyright and permission notice go with all copies or substantial portions. 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.

MIT: commercial use, modification, redistribution: Yes

License: MIT License (MIT, curated)

• Every use you described is granted by MIT, and nothing you described is prohibited.

Duties: attribution, license_notice

BSD 3-Clause: the same uses: Yes

License: BSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License (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

• MIT: duties attribution, license_notice. Provided as is, without warranty.
• 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

• MIT License: official text
• MIT on the SPDX License List
• BSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License: official text
• BSD-3-Clause on the SPDX License List

Check it yourself (free, no key)

{
  "tool": "check_license",
  "arguments": {
    "license": "MIT",
    "intended_use": {
      "commercial_use": true,
      "modification": true,
      "redistribution": true
    }
  }
}

Computed from Rightshold's license profiles; not legal advice. Updated 2026-10-19. JSON · Markdown