License Information
License Information
License Overview
GPL3 License
Both Flatboard Community and Flatboard Pro are licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPL3).
What this means:
- โ Free and Open Source - Source code is freely available
- โ Freedom to Use - Use for any purpose
- โ Freedom to Modify - Modify the code as needed
- โ Freedom to Distribute - Share and distribute
- โ Freedom to Study - Study how it works
GPL3 Requirements:
- If you modify and distribute, you must share your modifications
- You must include the original license
- You must include source code
Community Edition
License
- License: GPL3
- Cost: Free (Forever)
- Source Code: Open source
- Access: Free download from flatboard.org
Features
- Basic Forum Functionality - Complete forum system
- User Management - Full user account system
- Discussion & Post System - Create discussions and posts
- Core Plugins & Themes - Essential plugins and themes included
- API Endpoints - REST API access
- JSON Storage - File-based storage system
- Documentation - Complete documentation
- Open Source (GPL3) - Full source code access
- Community Support - Community-driven support
- Regular Updates - Free updates and improvements
Usage Rights
You can:
- โ Use for personal or commercial projects
- โ Modify the code
- โ Distribute modified versions (must include GPL3)
- โ Sell services based on Flatboard
- โ Use in client projects
Note: All usage is free and unrestricted for Community edition. Over 10 years of continuous development, free and regularly updated for the community.
Pro Edition
License
- License: GPL3
- Cost: โฌ49 (One-time payment, no subscription)
- Source Code: Open source (GPL3)
- Access: Purchase required to download
Pricing: โฌ49 (One-time payment, no subscription)Where to Buy: flatboard.org โ Flatboard Pro
Features
Everything in Community Edition, plus:
- Premium Plugin Pack โ FlatHome (CMS + blog), FlatSEO (sitemap, structured data, GA4), TUI Editor (WYSIWYG/Markdown), Private Messaging (full inbox), Forum Monitoring (analytics, sparklines, anomaly detection), Storage Migrator (JSON โ SQLite), FlatModerationExtend (shadow ban, pre-moderation queue)
- Premium Theme โ Fully-customizable professional theme with dark/light mode, 4 layout styles, 4 navbar styles, and complete color system
- SQLite Storage โ Database storage option for better performance at scale
- Private RSS/Atom Feeds โ Members can access private category feeds in any feed reader using their API token (all feed types: global, category, user, tag)
- Dashboard Widgets โ Pro plugins add widgets to the admin dashboard: moderation queue, unread messages, activity monitoring, and more
- Advanced Analytics โ Visit tracking, referrer analysis, engagement metrics, and traffic source dashboard
- Priority Support โ Direct support access
- Major-Version Updates โ All feature and security updates throughout the current major version (Flatboard 5.x); a future major version is a separate purchase
- No Subscription Required โ One-time payment, no recurring fees
Purchase Information
- Where to Buy: flatboard.org โ Flatboard Pro
- Pricing: โฌ49 (One-time payment)
- Payment Methods: Various payment options available
- Delivery: Instant download after purchase
- Updates: All updates within the current major version (Flatboard 5.x) included
Usage Rights
You can:
- โ Use for personal or commercial projects (if you purchased Pro)
- โ Modify the code
- โ Distribute (if you purchased Pro - see distribution conditions below)
- โ Sell services based on Flatboard Pro
- โ Use in client projects
No License Tracking
- License keys to enter
- Online activation required
- License validation servers
- Usage tracking
Once you purchase and download Flatboard 5 Pro, you have full GPL3 rights to use, modify, and distribute (with GPL3 requirements and the condition that you must have purchased it first).
Distribution Conditions
- โ You purchased Flatboard Pro โ You can distribute it (with GPL3 requirements)
- โ You received it from someone else who didn't purchase it โ You cannot distribute it
- โ You downloaded it from an unauthorized source โ You cannot distribute it
Each person who distributes Flatboard Pro must have purchased their own copy. This is a condition of distribution, separate from GPL3 requirements.
Version Compatibility
Architecture Information
Flatboard 5 is a complete refactoring of the forum software with a new architecture:
- Different Architecture - Complete rewrite with MVC architecture
- Different Storage - New storage system structure
- Different Plugins - Plugins from v3/v4 don't work
- Different Themes - Themes from v3/v4 don't work
Version Support
- Flatboard 5 - Current version, actively supported
- Flatboard 4 - Last version of previous architecture, may receive security updates
- Flatboard 3 - No longer supported
License Comparison
| Feature | Community | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL3 | GPL3 |
| Cost | Free (Forever) | โฌ49 (One-time payment) |
| Source Code | Open | Open |
| Storage | ||
| JSON Storage | โ | โ |
| SQLite Storage | โ | โ (Better performance) |
| Core Features | ||
| Basic Forum Functionality | โ | โ (Everything in Community) |
| User Management | โ | โ |
| Discussion & Post System | โ | โ |
| Plugins & Themes | ||
| Core Plugins & Themes | โ | โ |
| Premium Plugin Pack | โ | โ (FlatHome, FlatSEO, TUI Editor, Private Messaging, Forum Monitoring, Storage Migrator, FlatModerationExtend) |
| Private RSS/Atom Feeds | โ | โ |
| Admin Dashboard Widgets | โ | โ (Pro plugins) |
| Premium Themes | โ | โ |
| API & Development | ||
| API Endpoints | โ | โ |
| Extended API Features | โ | โ |
| Support & Updates | ||
| Documentation | โ | โ |
| Community Support | โ | โ |
| Priority Support | โ | โ |
| Feature Updates | โ (Regular) | โ (Current major version, 5.x) |
| Additional | ||
| Advanced Analytics | โ | โ |
| License Tracking | โ | โ |
| Subscription Required | โ | โ (No subscription) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Community and Pro editions?
Community Edition is free and includes JSON storage and core features. Pro Edition costs โฌ49 (one-time) and includes SQLite storage, premium plugins, premium themes, and priority support. Both editions are open source under GPL3.
Is Pro really GPL3 if I have to pay?
Yes. GPL3 allows charging for distribution. The source code is still open source and you have full GPL3 rights once you obtain it.
Can I use Pro in commercial projects?
Yes, if you purchased it. GPL3 allows commercial use. You can use Flatboard Pro in any project, commercial or personal, provided you have legally purchased Flatboard Pro first.
Do I need to share my modifications?
Only if you distribute. If you modify Flatboard and distribute it (share with others), you must share your modifications under GPL3. If you only use it internally, you don't need to share.
Can I remove the GPL3 license?
No. GPL3 is a copyleft license. You cannot remove it or change the license. All derivatives must remain GPL3.
Is there license tracking?
No. Flatboard Pro does not use any license tracking, activation, or validation systems. Once you download it, you have it.
Can I resell Flatboard Pro?
Yes, with conditions. You can distribute Flatboard Pro, but you must:
- Have purchased Flatboard Pro first - You can only distribute Flatboard Pro if you have legally purchased it
- Include the GPL3 license
- Provide source code
- Allow recipients the same GPL3 rights
Legal Information
License Text
The full GPL3 license text is available:
- Online: gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html
- In Repository:
LICENSEfile in Flatboard 5 source code
Copyright
Copyright (c) 2015-2026 Frรฉdรฉric Kaplon and contributors
All Flatboard code is released under the GPL3 license.
Disclaimer
This software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Use at your own risk.
Resources
- Getting Started - Installation and setup
- Migration Guide - Migrating from previous versions
- Official Website - Purchase and downloads
- GPL3 License - Full license text
Last updated: March 6, 2026