Strategy: Licensing & Monetization
Reaktor follows a "free core, paid services" model, inspired by successful open-source companies like MongoDB and Grafana.
Intellectual Property Protection
Reaktor uses a combination of licensing, trademarking, and patenting to protect its unique innovations while maximizing adoption.
1. Licensing: AGPL v3 + Commercial Dual License
The recommended licensing model is AGPL v3 for the open-source release, with a commercial license option:
- AGPL v3: Protects Reaktor by requiring anyone who modifies the engine and offers it as a network service to release their modifications. This closes the "SaaS loophole" that GPL leaves open.
- Commercial License: Removes the copyleft obligation for companies that want to embed Reaktor in proprietary products or offer it as a managed service without releasing their code.
2. Trademark Registration
Trademarking the "Reaktor" name and logo is a critical protection for an open-source project. The name can be protected across two classes:
- Class 9: Software, frameworks, and SDKs.
- Class 42: SaaS/Cloud hosting and platform services.
Monetization Model
Reaktor's monetization strategy has four primary revenue streams:
| Stream | Model | Target Customer |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Consulting | Time & materials | Startups and mid-size companies needing KMP and cross-platform expertise. |
| Commercial License | Annual subscription | Companies embedding Reaktor in proprietary products. |
| Reaktor Cloud | Usage-based SaaS | Teams wanting managed hosting on k3s + Cloudflare without infrastructure ops. |
| Enterprise Support | Annual contract | Large organizations needing SLAs and dedicated support. |
| Module Marketplace | Revenue share (70/30) | Third-party developers selling pre-built Reaktor modules. |
| Certification Program | One-time fee | Developers wanting Reaktor credentials for career advancement. |
The AGPL Commercial License Flywheel
The combination of AGPL and a commercial dual license creates a natural conversion funnel. Developers discover and use Reaktor for free under AGPL. When their company's legal team reviews the AGPL obligations, they either comply by contributing back to the ecosystem or purchase a commercial license. This model ensures the project's sustainability without requiring a large sales team.