Free for the sovereign.
Licensed for the sellers.
Self-host OpenNVR on any hardware, forever, for free — the AGPLv3 guarantees it. Building a product out of OpenNVR? That's what the Commercial License is for. The same proven model as Qt and Linphone, with a stronger open-source core.
- ✓ The complete platform — nothing held back
- ✓ Every adapter, every catalog app, the OpenNVR Agent
- ✓ Runs on Jetson, Pi, your own servers or boards
- ✓ Modify anything — share source when you distribute or serve it
- ✓ Apps & adapters you build stay yours, any license (Apache-2.0 SDKs)
- ✓ Community support
- ✓ Sell hardware with OpenNVR pre-installed under your brand
- ✓ Embed in proprietary software — no AGPL obligations
- ✓ Host as a closed service — no source disclosure
- ✓ Warranty, indemnification, support SLA
- ✓ Certified, signed builds + priority security channel
- ✓ Carries the "Powered by OpenNVR" mark (white-label tier available)
- ✓ Pro & Enterprise tiers with response SLAs
- ✓ Certified builds and upgrade guidance
- ✓ Priority security advisories
- ✓ Camera security assessment & hardening
- ✓ Custom apps & AI adapters, built for your use case
- ✓ Compliance evidence packs and NDA adapter authoring
Which license do I need?
The core is AGPL-3.0-or-later. The two SDKs are Apache-2.0, so an app or an adapter you build is yours under any licence — building on OpenNVR must never need a lawyer. The commercial licence exists only for what the AGPL does not grant.
| Your situation | AGPL (free) | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosting for your home, business, farm, or bank — on any hardware | ✓ | — |
| Building App Store apps or AI adapters (Apache-2.0 SDKs — any license, even proprietary) | ✓ | — |
| Modifying OpenNVR and sharing your source per the AGPL | ✓ | — |
| Selling hardware with OpenNVR pre-installed, with proprietary changes or locked firmware | ✗ | ✓ |
| Embedding OpenNVR inside a proprietary product | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hosting a modified OpenNVR as a closed cloud service | ✗ | ✓ |
The AGPL never discriminates by hardware — a fully source-compliant appliance is free. The Commercial License sells what the AGPL doesn't grant: proprietary changes, no disclosure duties, the OpenNVR trademark on your box, warranty, and certified update channels. Full policy: docs/LICENSING.md ·Trademark & "Powered by OpenNVR"