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Forum Update on Monday, May 27th 2025

Qt Commercial License Terms, Independent Developers

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  • L luca

    @JonB So in your opinion the point of this thread (from the beginning) simply doesn't exist...
    Developing at least for Android you dynamically link to Qt so no static link (no need of license).

    For me it should be great but I'm not sure about that.

    JonBJ Offline
    JonBJ Offline
    JonB
    wrote on last edited by
    #20

    @luca
    Although I would not be encouraging you to not pay for Qt if you can:

    If you link dynamically to Qt, use only LGPL components, do not use private Qt modules or otherwise tinker with the Qt side, and there is nothing special about Android (I think it used to require static linking maybe, but not now) or whatever "app stores" you use, my understanding is that you do not need a commercial license.

    Basically, LGPL does not require you to publish your own source code when you link against an LGPL component, even if your app is commercial/you make money out of the LGPL usage. However, in my own case I use PyQt (Python binding to Qt), and that is GPL rather than LGPL, so I do have to make my source available if I distribute.

    All statements above according only to my understanding.

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    • JonBJ JonB

      @luca
      Although I would not be encouraging you to not pay for Qt if you can:

      If you link dynamically to Qt, use only LGPL components, do not use private Qt modules or otherwise tinker with the Qt side, and there is nothing special about Android (I think it used to require static linking maybe, but not now) or whatever "app stores" you use, my understanding is that you do not need a commercial license.

      Basically, LGPL does not require you to publish your own source code when you link against an LGPL component, even if your app is commercial/you make money out of the LGPL usage. However, in my own case I use PyQt (Python binding to Qt), and that is GPL rather than LGPL, so I do have to make my source available if I distribute.

      All statements above according only to my understanding.

      L Offline
      L Offline
      luca
      wrote on last edited by
      #21

      @JonB Thanks for the explanation.
      I would like to pay for a commercial Qt license to thanks for the good works THEY did, but at the moment it cost too much for free projects (non open source).
      The startup plan is not so expensive but it require you to pay forever if you publish your app in an app store.

      I hope Qt will find a good solution for all...

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      • L luca

        @JonB Thanks for the explanation.
        I would like to pay for a commercial Qt license to thanks for the good works THEY did, but at the moment it cost too much for free projects (non open source).
        The startup plan is not so expensive but it require you to pay forever if you publish your app in an app store.

        I hope Qt will find a good solution for all...

        A Offline
        A Offline
        ambershark
        wrote on last edited by
        #22

        @luca

        I hope Qt will find a good solution for all...

        They did, LGPL. :) You can use that with a closed source free application on a web store as long as you link dynamically and Qt can be replaced easily with a version built elsewhere.

        Since you can now link dynamically on both iOS and android you should have no issues using the LGPL license for Qt. LGPL was made for your exact use case.

        Disclaimer: IANAL make sure to check with a lawyer.

        My L-GPL'd C++ Logger github.com/ambershark-mike/sharklog

        JonBJ 1 Reply Last reply
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        • A ambershark

          @luca

          I hope Qt will find a good solution for all...

          They did, LGPL. :) You can use that with a closed source free application on a web store as long as you link dynamically and Qt can be replaced easily with a version built elsewhere.

          Since you can now link dynamically on both iOS and android you should have no issues using the LGPL license for Qt. LGPL was made for your exact use case.

          Disclaimer: IANAL make sure to check with a lawyer.

          JonBJ Offline
          JonBJ Offline
          JonB
          wrote on last edited by
          #23

          @ambershark said in Qt Commercial License Terms, Independent Developers:

          Since you can now link dynamically on both iOS and android

          Ah, right, is that what I was thinking I recalled when I wrote

          I think it used to require static linking maybe, but not now

          ? Have they made it so you can now but didn't used to be able to? OOI, is that a change at the Android side or the Qt side to make it possible?

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          • L Offline
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            luca
            wrote on last edited by
            #24

            Where can I find a list of LGPL Qt modules for a specific release of Qt ?

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            • JonBJ JonB

              @ambershark said in Qt Commercial License Terms, Independent Developers:

              Since you can now link dynamically on both iOS and android

              Ah, right, is that what I was thinking I recalled when I wrote

              I think it used to require static linking maybe, but not now

              ? Have they made it so you can now but didn't used to be able to? OOI, is that a change at the Android side or the Qt side to make it possible?

              A Offline
              A Offline
              ambershark
              wrote on last edited by
              #25

              @JonB Pretty sure android always supported dynamic linking, although I could be wrong here, I'm not really a mobile developer. I've done one back end library on mobile and that was it.

              It was iOS that used to be static only and change to allow dynamic linking recently (like last year or 2).

              My L-GPL'd C++ Logger github.com/ambershark-mike/sharklog

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              • C Offline
                C Offline
                Cheng shi hua
                wrote on last edited by
                #26

                I am an independent game author. If I use LGPL, develop a library that uses QML and dynamically links QT, and then publish it to steam, do I need to pay QT or open source?

                jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
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                • C Cheng shi hua

                  I am an independent game author. If I use LGPL, develop a library that uses QML and dynamically links QT, and then publish it to steam, do I need to pay QT or open source?

                  jsulmJ Online
                  jsulmJ Online
                  jsulm
                  Lifetime Qt Champion
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #27

                  @Cheng-shi-hua said in Qt Commercial License Terms, Independent Developers:

                  do I need to pay QT or open source?

                  No, as long as you can fulfill LGPL3 you do not need commercial license and do not have to open your source code.
                  LGPL3 requires you to provide users the possibility to replace Qt libraries with their own versions. This usually requires you to provide object files (.o), so users can relink. And it is not possible when using static Qt libraries!

                  Keep in mind people here (me included) are not lawyers!

                  https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

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                  • C Offline
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                    Cheng shi hua
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #28

                    No QT official came out to clarify? This matter is important

                    jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • C Cheng shi hua

                      No QT official came out to clarify? This matter is important

                      jsulmJ Online
                      jsulmJ Online
                      jsulm
                      Lifetime Qt Champion
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #29

                      @Cheng-shi-hua This forum is for Qt users and not "Qt officials". If you want an answer from Qt officials then pleas ask Qt Company.

                      https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

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                      • C Offline
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                        Cheng shi hua
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #30

                        This is the case, thank you very much. Since it is a community, you can advertise here when I develop a game :)

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                          LarryCox
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                            ThomasGrace123
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                              vosob80267
                              Banned
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                                JamesPalmer
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                                  Betty R. Harris
                                  Banned
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