This guide breaks down the difference between commercial and non-commercial use of epanet-js, so you can pick the right plan and stay within our licensing terms. We want to keep things simple and transparent, making sure everyone - from hobbyists to professionals - has access to the tools they need.

The most important thing to know is that the Free Plan covers both basic commercial and non-commercial use with no restrictions. The main differences in our paid plans are the extra features and the type of support (paid plans include professional support, while the Free plan relies on the community).

Where this distinction matters most is when deciding between the Personal or Education plans (for non-commercial use) and the Pro or Teams plans (for commercial work and professional support).

What counts as commercial use?

Commercial use means using epanet-js to support a business, deliver paid services, or carry out official government work - basically, anything tied to earning money or fulfilling professional duties. If you're doing this and need features beyond the Free plan, you'll want to choose the Pro or Teams plan.

Here are some common examples:

• Client Work: Using epanet-js to deliver consulting, engineering design, or modeling reports for paying clients - whether you're a company or working solo.
• Business Operations: Running simulations or building models inside a for-profit company, like a private utility, industrial site, or engineering firm, to support revenue-generating work or improve internal operations.
• Paid University Projects: University departments or researchers doing contract work for external clients (e.g., modeling paid for by a private company) are considered commercial use.
• Government Work: Using epanet-js in a local, regional, or national government role - for things like city planning, operations, or regulatory tasks - also counts as commercial use.

The Pro and Teams plans include advanced tools for these workflows, along with direct support from the epanet-js team.

What counts as non-commercial use?

Non-commercial use means using epanet-js for learning, teaching, or research that isn’t tied to paid work or official duties for a company or government. If you're not getting paid for the outcome, and it’s not part of a business or public agency workflow, it likely qualifies. The Personal and Education plans are designed for this type of use and include access to advanced features without the licensing terms that apply to commercial plans.

Here are some typical examples:

• Education (Education Plan): Students using epanet-js for classwork, research, or academic competitions - even if prizes are involved. Faculty using it to teach, prepare course materials, or run research funded by public or internal university grants also fall under this plan, as long as the work isn’t being done for a company.
• Personal Learning (Personal Plan): Anyone using epanet-js to build skills, explore ideas, model hypothetical systems, or create portfolio projects for learning or job applications. Just make sure the work isn’t being done for a client or as part of paid work.
• Content Creation (Personal or Education Plan): You’re welcome to make tutorials, blog posts, videos, or other educational content - even if you earn money from ads or community support like Patreon. This usually counts as non-commercial. If the content becomes part of a larger, profit-focused business that depends heavily on epanet-js features, it might be time to consider a commercial plan.

Specific considerations

• Non-Profit/NGO Use: Non-profits and NGOs do important work, but their use of epanet-js can vary. If paid staff are regularly doing professional engineering work, especially with advanced features or support, that use may fall under our commercial terms. That said, many organizations will find that the Free Plan meets their needs without requiring a paid license.
• Versatility of the Free Plan: The Free Plan includes the core tools needed for most basic modeling tasks. It’s a great option for getting started, running simple simulations, or testing the platform before moving to a paid plan.