Yes, some Qwen models can be used commercially, but there is no single license for the whole Qwen family. Check the LICENSE file for the exact model and revision you plan to use. Some releases are Apache 2.0; others use Qwen License or Qwen Research License terms that may impose additional conditions or require permission for commercial use. If you access Qwen through a hosted API, review the provider’s terms separately.
Which Qwen models allow commercial use?
Qwen’s published license statements vary by release and variant. The examples below are not a substitute for checking the license attached to the exact checkpoint you intend to deploy.
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| Model or release | Published license information | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Qwen2 | Qwen says Qwen2-72B and its instruction-tuned models retain the Qianwen License; other named Qwen2 sizes use Apache 2.0. Qwen2 announcement. | Check the exact 72B or instruction-tuned repository and its license terms. |
| Qwen2.5 language models | The release announcement says models other than 3B and 72B use Apache 2.0. Qwen’s model-card post identifies the 3B release as Qwen Research License and 72B as Qwen License. Qwen2.5 announcement. | Do not infer a checkpoint’s license from the family name alone. |
| Qwen2.5-3B | Its repository uses the Qwen Research License, which grants rights for non-commercial purposes; commercial users must request a license. Qwen2.5-3B license. | Obtain the required commercial permission before using it commercially. |
| Qwen2.5-Math-PRM-7B | Its repository contains a Qwen License Agreement. Under that agreement, a commercial product or service with more than 100 million monthly active users must request a license. Qwen2.5-Math-PRM-7B license. | This threshold is specific to the cited agreement; do not apply it to other Qwen models without checking their terms. |
| Qwen3 dense models | Qwen’s launch post identifies six named dense open-weight models as Apache 2.0. Qwen3 announcement. | Confirm the license for the precise checkpoint and revision. |
| Qwen3 Embedding | Qwen says the Qwen3 Embedding series uses Apache 2.0. Qwen3 Embedding announcement. | Check the repository for the specific embedding or reranking model. |
| Qwen2-VL-2B and Qwen2-VL-7B | Qwen identifies these named models as Apache 2.0. Qwen2-VL announcement. | The statement applies to those named models and release. |
Apache 2.0 is not the same license as either Qwen License or Qwen Research License. For a particular model, the repository’s current LICENSE file is the best starting point for determining applicable conditions; retain a copy or record of the revision you use.
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What do the different license terms mean for a business?
Apache 2.0 releases
Qwen identifies the named releases above as Apache 2.0. Read the license and repository notices for the model you select, especially if you plan to redistribute weights or modified files. Do not extend one release’s Apache 2.0 statement to a different size, fine-tune, or variant without checking its own repository.
Qwen Research License
The Qwen2.5-3B repository’s license agreement limits its grant to non-commercial purposes and says commercial users must request a license. The model being downloadable or runnable locally does not itself grant commercial rights.
Qwen License
Qwen License agreements can contain terms beyond a general commercial-use permission. For example, the agreement published with Qwen2.5-Math-PRM-7B requires a license request when a commercial product or service exceeds 100 million monthly active users. It also sets redistribution notice requirements. Those terms describe that repository’s agreement; another model may have different terms.
Does local deployment or an API change the answer?
No deployment method removes the need to check the applicable terms. Qwen documents local use through Transformers and other frameworks in its resources and getting-started materials, but local execution does not change a model’s license.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For a hosted API, there are two separate questions: the model’s open-weight license, if you are using or redistributing weights, and the provider’s current service terms for API access. Qwen’s Qwen2.5 announcement mentions APIs through Model Studio, but that announcement does not establish the current contractual terms for an API account. Check the provider’s terms directly before building a commercial service around it.
What should you check before launch?
- Identify the exact model. Record its full repository name, size, variant, and any fine-tuned or derivative status.
- Read the license at the revision you will use. Save the LICENSE file or record the repository revision for compliance documentation.
- Confirm the permitted purpose. Distinguish Apache 2.0 from Qwen License and Qwen Research License. If the terms require a commercial license, obtain it before commercial use.
- Review distribution conditions. If you redistribute weights or derivatives, check requirements for passing on the license, retaining notices, and marking modified files.
- Review hosted-service terms separately. If you call an API rather than self-hosting, check the provider’s current terms for your intended use.
- Get advice for your deployment. Distribution, fine-tuning, hosted services, and jurisdiction can affect how terms apply; consult qualified counsel for a decision about your specific product.
Does the Qwen license apply to all countries?
The cited agreements include export-control language, but the available statements do not establish a complete geography-by-geography interpretation. Do not treat a general summary as a jurisdiction-specific legal conclusion; review the agreement and seek qualified legal advice for your operating locations.
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