Firecrawl is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, but with a commercial exception

Firecrawl is an open source web scraping tool released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3 (AGPL-3.0). This means you can view the source code, modify it, and run it yourself — but with conditions. The AGPL-3.0 requires that if you modify Firecrawl and run it as a service over a network, you must share your modified code with users who interact with it.

The project also offers a commercial license for teams that want to use Firecrawl without those AGPL obligations. This dual-licensing model is common among open source projects that want to remain free for individuals and small teams while generating revenue from larger organizations.

Key Takeaways

  • Firecrawl's source code is publicly available on GitHub under the AGPL-3.0 license, so you can read and modify it yourself.
  • The AGPL-3.0 license requires you to share any modifications you make if you run Firecrawl as a network service, which is stricter than some other open source licenses.
  • Firecrawl offers a commercial license for organizations that want to use it without AGPL obligations or want official support.
  • The hosted version of Firecrawl (the service you access online) operates under different terms than the open source code you can download and run yourself.

What AGPL-3.0 actually requires you to do

The AGPL-3.0 license has three main rules. First, you can use Firecrawl for any purpose, including commercial work. Second, if you modify the code and run it as a service that other people access over the internet, you must make your modified version available to those users. Third, you must include a copy of the license and state what changes you made.

The second rule is the one that catches people off guard. If you download Firecrawl, change it, and run it on your own server that your team or customers access, you have to share those changes. You do not have to share changes if you only run it locally on your own machine or within a closed network where no one outside your organization can reach it.

This is different from licenses like MIT or Apache 2.0, which let you modify code and keep the changes private even if you run it as a service. AGPL-3.0 is designed to keep derivative works open source when they are used as services.

How the commercial license works

Firecrawl's creators offer a commercial license that removes the AGPL obligations. If you buy a commercial license, you can modify Firecrawl, run it as a service, and keep your changes private. You also typically get support, updates, and sometimes additional features not available in the open source version.

The commercial license is usually priced per seat, per year, or per deployment — the exact terms depend on what you negotiate with the vendor. This model lets small projects and individuals use Firecrawl for free under AGPL-3.0, while companies that cannot meet those terms can pay for different rights.

The difference between the open source code and the hosted service

Firecrawl is available in two ways: as open source code you download and run yourself, and as a hosted service you access online. These operate under different terms. The open source code is governed by AGPL-3.0. The hosted service — the version you log into and use through a web interface — is a separate product with its own terms of service.

If you use the hosted service, you are not running the code yourself, so AGPL-3.0 does not apply to you in the same way. You are simply a user of a service, like using Gmail or Slack. The hosted service may have its own restrictions on what you can do, and those are spelled out in the terms of service you agree to when you sign up.

Where to find Firecrawl's source code

Firecrawl's source code is hosted on GitHub under the account of its creators. You can view the entire codebase, see how it works, and download it to run on your own machine. GitHub also shows the license file in the repository, which contains the full text of AGPL-3.0.

If you want to modify Firecrawl, you fork the repository (create your own copy), make your changes, and test them. If you plan to run your modified version as a service, you should review the AGPL-3.0 license carefully or consult with someone familiar with open source licensing to make sure you understand your obligations.

When AGPL-3.0 does and does not apply

AGPL-3.0 applies when you modify Firecrawl and run it as a network service. It does not apply if you download Firecrawl and run it only on your local machine, or only within a private network where external users cannot access it. It also does not apply if you use Firecrawl without modifying it — you can use the unmodified open source version however you want, as long as you include the license.

The tricky part is defining "network service." If you run Firecrawl on a server that your team accesses remotely, that is a network service. If you run it on your laptop and never share access, it is not. If you embed Firecrawl into a web application that customers use, that is a network service, and you would need to share your modifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Firecrawl for commercial purposes?

Yes. AGPL-3.0 permits commercial use. The restriction is only on keeping modifications private when you run it as a service. If you use the unmodified open source version, or if you modify it but only run it locally, you can use it commercially without any license fee.

Do I have to pay for Firecrawl if I use it?

No. The open source version is free. You only pay if you want a commercial license that removes AGPL obligations, or if you use the hosted service, which may have its own pricing.

What happens if I do not follow AGPL-3.0?

If you violate the license — for example, by running a modified version as a service without sharing your changes — the copyright holder can take legal action. This is rare in practice, but it is a real risk. The safest approach is to either follow the license terms or purchase a commercial license.

Can I use Firecrawl in a closed-source application?

Yes, as long as you do not modify it or you only run it locally. If you modify Firecrawl and integrate it into a web service, you must share those modifications. For closed-source commercial work, a commercial license is usually the cleaner option.

Is there a way to use Firecrawl without worrying about the license?

Yes. Use the hosted service (if available), which operates under its own terms. Or purchase a commercial license. Both remove the AGPL-3.0 obligations and give you clear, simple terms.