How Open Source Developers Can Monetize Their Code Without Closing It

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Open source developers can generate passive income from their projects without restricting access to their code, according to a guide published on DEV Community. Key strategies include offering paid pro plugins or modules alongside a free core library, launching a hosted SaaS version of an open source tool, and selling training courses or eBooks. Dual licensing allows developers to keep code open for personal use while charging commercial users for advanced features. Hosted services can command monthly fees of $50–$200 from companies that prefer managed deployments over self-hosting. Experts suggest combining two to four monetization models for a more sustainable and diversified income stream.

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