Perfect is available under the Apache License, version 2.0 (ASLv2). That means all of the source code, including the code for a new package manager, is available to edit and compile. Any programs or apps built with Swift can be created without attribution.

Licensing FAQs

Why did PerfectlySoft choose the ASLv2 for the Perfect web development and server toolkit instead of another license?

PerfectlySoft chose the permissive ASLv2 for Perfect for two primary reasons:

1. To give independent developers and startups using Perfect the freedom to use it however they wish for their Swift-based development projects, and to have the right to keep their proprietary creations closed source.
2. To protect PerfectlySoft’s rights from being infringed upon by any organization that uses Perfect for commercial purposes but does not pay for its use, or shares any modifications they may make to Perfect with PerfectlySoft and the rest of the Perfect community.

Furthermore, we selected the ASLv2 to ensure there is a healthy, vibrant, global developer ecosystem and community that will continue to share their knowledge, expertise, and comments as Perfect evolves.

Who is required to purchase a commercial license to use Perfect?

In general, anyone who simply makes changes or modifications to the Perfect source code must purchase a commercial license for Perfect from PerfectlySoft if they wish to keep those modifications confidential, or they are obligated to share their modifications or changes with PerfectlySoft, and the rest of the Perfect community. If you wish to inquire about purchasing a commercial license to use Perfect, please contact us.

If I purchase a Perfect commercial license, what will it provide my company and me?

A Perfect commercial license from PerfectlySoft will provide you and your company with the following:

• The right to keep confidential any changes or modifications you have made to the Perfect source code;
• The right to sell and distribute worldwide any application, program, or product you have created using Perfect;
• Full support from the PerfectlySoft development team.

I am an independent programmer, and I want to use Perfect for my current and future Swift-based projects. Do I have to buy a commercial license to use Perfect?

You are only required to purchase a commercial license from PerfectlySoft if you modify Perfect’s source code and wish to keep those modifications or changes confidential, or if you use Perfect as part of an application, program, or product sold commercially. If you share the modifications you made to the Perfect source code with PerfectlySoft and the Perfect community, and you are not selling your application, program, or product commercially, you are not required to purchase a commercial license from us.

I want to use Perfect for my current and future Swift-based development work. Will I have to declare my products as open source if I use Perfect?

No. Your application, program, or product remains your exclusive, closed source property.

What are the consequences if I build a system for a commercial company using Perfect?

There are no consequences. Your application, program, or product remains your exclusive, closed source property. However, if you change or modify the Perfect source code in any way as part of that development, and you wish to keep those changes confidential, and/or you choose to sell and distribute your application, program, or product commercially, you will be required to purchase a commercial license from PerfectlySoft.

Furthermore, if your application, program, or product is only run internally at a commercial company, then you and that company are neither required to release source code back to PerfectlySoft or the Perfect community nor is it obligated to purchase a commercial license from PerfectlySoft.

I work for a medium-size or large corporation, and we want to use Perfect for our current and future server-side Swift development projects. Do we have to purchase a commercial license to use Perfect?

If your organization intends to sell and distribute an application, program, or product that it has created but which uses Perfect, then yes, your organization is required to purchase a commercial license from PerfectlySoft.

I have more questions about the Perfect commercial license that is not addressed on this FAQ page. Who should I contact?

If you have additional questions about how we work with developers and how Perfect’s ASLv2 applies to your projects, or if you wish to inquire about purchasing a commercial license to use Perfect, please contact us.

I’m having difficulty using Perfect. Where can I get help?

If you require assistance accessing or deploying Perfect, or have questions about using Perfect, please contact us directly.