n8n is [fair-code](http://faircode.io) licensed under [Apache 2.0 with Commons Clause](https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/blob/master/packages/cli/LICENSE.md)
No. The [Commons Clause](https://commonsclause.com) that is attached to the Apache 2.0 license takes away some rights. Hence, according to the definition of the [Open Source Initiative (OSI)](https://opensource.org/osd), n8n is not open-source. Nonetheless, the source code is open and everyone (individuals and companies) can use it for free. However, it is not allowed to make money directly with n8n.
For instance, one cannot charge others to host or support n8n. However, to make things simpler, we grant everyone (individuals and companies) the right to offer consulting or support without prior permission as long as it is less than 30,000 USD ($30k) per annum.
If your revenue from services based on n8n is greater than $30k per annum, we'd invite you to become a partner and apply for a license. If you have any questions about this, feel free to reach out to us at [license@n8n.io](mailto:license@n8n.io).
We love open-source and the idea that everybody can freely use and extend what we wrote. Our community is at the heart of everything that we do and we understand that people who contribute to a project are the main drivers that push a project forward. So to make sure that the project continues to evolve and stay alive in the longer run, we decided to attach the Commons Clause. This ensures that no other person or company can make money directly with n8n. Especially if it competes with how we plan to finance our further development. For the greater majority of the people, it will not make any difference at all. At the same time, it protects the project.
As n8n itself depends on and uses a lot of other open-source projects, it is only fair that we support them back. That is why we have planned to contribute a certain percentage of revenue/profit every month to these projects.
We have already started with the first monthly contributions via [Open Collective](https://opencollective.com/n8n). It is not much yet, but we hope to be able to ramp that up substantially over time.