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Licensing & Commercial Model

ItBuild has two independent commercial tracks. Each is governed by its own legal document. You can use either independently.

Two Tracks​

TrackWhat it coversLegal document
1. Module LicenseRight to use ItBuild modules (AuthProxy, TrexWallet, Chat, CRM) in your own projectModule License Agreement
2. MarketplaceEngaging developers through itbuild.app to build or extend your projectPlatform Services Agreement (for Customers); Developer Terms (for Developers)

You can use Track 1 alone (license modules, bring your own developers, host yourself). You can use Track 2 alone (engage developers on the platform, with modules under a Free or Startup license). Or both.

Track 1 — Module License (4 tiers)​

Quick decision tree​

flowchart TD
    Start[Who are you?] --> Q1{Individual or legal entity?}
    Q1 -- "Individual" --> Q2{Use case?}
    Q1 -- "Legal entity" --> Q3{Project stage?}

    Q2 -- "Personal / family / education / research / dev of a future commercial product before first release" --> Free[Personal Free]
    Q2 -- "Commercial activity" --> Q3

    Q3 -- "Pre-commercial: before first revenue OR within 12 months of project registration" --> Startup[Startup License]
    Q3 -- "Operating business" --> Q4{Self-host or want managed dev environment?}

    Q4 -- "Self-host" --> Standalone[Business Standalone]
    Q4 -- "Want managed dev environment" --> Subscription[Business Subscription]

Tier comparison​

TierWhoFeeUpdatesHostingDomain binding
Personal FreeIndividuals (personal, family, education, research, pre-commercial dev)$0Latest releasesSelf-hostBuild is domain-bound; any domain accepted, no DNS verification
StartupLegal entities, pre-commercial (until first revenue or 12 months — whichever earlier)Reduced rate / deferredLatest releasesBy arrangementRequired (DNS verification)
Business Standalone (Perpetual)Legal entities self-hostingOne-time, per module12 months from purchase, then version frozen; new purchase with returning-customer discountSelf-hostRequired (DNS verification)
Business SubscriptionLegal entities wanting managed dev environmentRecurring (monthly/annual), per moduleAlways latest releaseManaged dev environment included; production not includedRequired (DNS verification)

What is not included in any standard module license​

  • Production hosting — separate custom engagement at the operator's discretion, not part of any standard tier.
  • AI services — metered separately on usage from your prepaid Wallet.
  • SLA / priority support — separate add-on or part of higher Subscription tiers.

Domain binding​

Every build of any tier is compiled with an embedded domain identifier. Modules will only function on the embedded domain or on platform development sentinels (localhost, dev.itbuild.app). This is a core architectural enforcement, not a tier feature.

Tier difference is in how the domain is verified:

  • Personal Free — you specify any domain (custom, localhost, or dev sentinel); no DNS verification.
  • Startup / Standalone / Subscription — you must prove ownership of the deployment domain through DNS verification before the build is issued.

To deploy on a different domain, request a new build for that domain. This applies to all tiers.

Track 2 — Marketplace (itbuild.app)​

The marketplace is where you can engage independent developers to build or extend your project. Developers are accredited by the platform and operate under the Developer Terms. You operate under the Platform Services Agreement.

How payment works​

flowchart LR
    Customer[Customer] -- "Top up Wallet" --> Wallet[Wallet]
    Wallet -- "Lock funds against Task" --> Escrow[Escrow]
    Escrow -- "Customer accepts Task" --> Distribute[Distribute]
    Distribute -- "70%" --> Developer[Developer]
    Distribute -- "30% commission" --> Platform[Platform & Agents]
  • Customer pays the stated Task price. No additional marketplace fees on the Customer side.
  • The platform takes a fixed 30% commission from the Task price on the Developer's side. The Developer factors this into the Task quote.
  • The 30% commission may be partially distributed to Agents on either side (10% per active Agent), with the remainder retained by the platform.
ConfigurationCustomer AgentDeveloper AgentPlatform
Both Agents10%10%10%
Customer Agent only10%0%20%
Developer Agent only0%10%20%
No Agents0%0%30%

Bring your own developers​

You can grant access to your project's development environment to developers you engage outside the marketplace. They:

  • Use the dev environment included in your Business Subscription at no additional fee
  • Pay AI usage from your Wallet at published rates
  • Are not subject to the Developer Terms and do not receive Tasks from the marketplace
  • Are your responsibility for contracts, payment, NDAs, and IP

Production environments​

The platform's primary focus is the development environment. Production is your responsibility; the platform may, in exceptional cases at its discretion, provide custom production engagement under a separate agreement, but this is not part of standard offerings.

FAQ​

Can I use ItBuild for free?​

Yes, if you are an individual using it for personal, family, education, research, or development of a future commercial product before its first commercial release. Legal entities qualify for the Startup License during their pre-commercial phase.

What happens when my project starts generating revenue?​

You must transition from Personal Free or Startup to Business Standalone or Business Subscription within 30 days of first revenue.

What is the difference between Standalone and Subscription?​

Standalone is a one-time purchase with 12 months of updates included. After 12 months, your version is frozen; future updates require a new purchase (with a returning-customer discount). Subscription is a recurring fee that always entitles you to the latest release and includes a managed development environment from the platform.

Is production hosting included in Subscription?​

No. Subscription includes the managed development environment only. Production hosting is your responsibility. The platform may provide custom production engagement under a separate agreement, at its discretion.

Can I license only one module?​

Yes. Licensing is per-Project, but priced per-module. You can license only AuthProxy, or only AuthProxy + TrexWallet, etc.

How does the marketplace charge me as a Customer?​

The marketplace does not charge you directly. You pay the Task price you agreed with the Developer; the platform's 30% commission is internal to the Developer's side. There are no surcharges on top of the Task price.

What if I bring my own developers?​

They get access to your dev environment at no extra cost (under your Subscription) and pay AI usage from your Wallet at published rates. They are not subject to the Developer Terms and you handle contracts directly with them.

Who is responsible for the quality of marketplace developers' work?​

The Developer is. The platform is responsible only for the process — escrow, payment facilitation, and dispute resolution. The platform does not warrant the work product, timeliness, or fitness for purpose of any Developer's work.

What if a marketplace task goes wrong?​

The platform's dispute resolution mechanism reviews the situation and decides the outcome (full release to Developer, full refund, partial split, or task continuation with revised scope). See Platform Services Agreement § 7.

Where do I see prices?​

Current prices for module licenses, Subscription tiers, and Marketplace AI services are published at itbuild.app and are subject to update. Specific quotes for Standalone purchases or custom engagements are provided on request.

Questions​

For licensing questions, contact license@itbuild.app. For marketplace questions, contact support@itbuild.app.