MPL 2.0 vs LGPL 3.0: what is the difference?

Short answer: MPL 2.0: commercial use, modification, redistribution: Yes. LGPL 3.0: the same uses: Yes.

MPL 2.0: Use, modify and distribute, including in larger proprietary works; files covered by the MPL that you change and distribute must stay under the MPL with their source available. 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.

MPL 2.0: commercial use, modification, redistribution: Yes

License: Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL-2.0, curated)

• Every use you described is granted by MPL 2.0, and nothing you described is prohibited.

Duties: license_notice, share_alike, source_disclosure

LGPL 3.0: the same uses: Yes

License: GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 (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

• MPL-2.0: duties license_notice, share_alike, source_disclosure. Copyleft applies file by file. Executable forms may be distributed under different terms if the source of covered files stays available under the MPL (section 3.2); general sublicensing is not documented.
• 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

• Mozilla Public License 2.0: official text
• MPL-2.0 on the SPDX License List
• GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0: official text
• LGPL-3.0-only on the SPDX License List

Check it yourself (free, no key)

{
  "tool": "check_license",
  "arguments": {
    "license": "MPL-2.0",
    "intended_use": {
      "commercial_use": true,
      "modification": true,
      "redistribution": true
    }
  }
}

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