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Head-to-head · Open Source License Compliance Software

FOSSology vs SW360

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score FOSSology #7 in Open Source License Compliance Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit FOSSology
SW360 #8 in Open Source License Compliance Software 8.3/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit SW360

FOSSology leads on 0 checks, SW360 on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFOSSology · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly FOSSology

FOSSology scores higher on our rubric for open source license compliance software: 8.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

On deployment options, SW360 gives you Both where FOSSology offers On-premise.

FOSSology is the better fit for free, self-hosted license review. SW360 is the better fit for component catalogs and compliance tracking.

  • FOSSology fits best

    Free, self-hosted license review

  • SW360 fits best

    Component catalogs and compliance tracking

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature FOSSology 8.4/10 Visit ↗ SW360 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.3
Ranking #7 in Open Source License Compliance Software #8 in Open Source License Compliance Software
Best for Free, self-hosted license review Component catalogs and compliance tracking
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Linux, Windows, macOS Web
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs, Community
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features FOSSology 2/2 · SW360 2/2
Obligation tracking ✓ ✓
Attribution reports ✓ ✓
Specs
Policy enforcement Not checked yet Not checked yet
SBOM import formats SPDX; RDF SPDX RDF/XML, CycloneDX
Deployment options On-premise Both
Source scan methods Multiple Multiple
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open-source with self-managed deployment options
  • Combines scanning, web review workflows, obligation tracking, and reporting
  • Supports SPDX, CycloneDX, Debian copyright, and README reports
  • Centralizes components, releases, licenses, obligations, and vulnerabilities
  • Supports BOMs, SPDX, CycloneDX, clearing workflows, and attribution documents
  • REST API access with FOSSology and external tool integrations
Cons
  • Policy blocking capabilities are not documented
  • Requires self-managed installation and operation
  • No named third-party integrations are documented
  • Does not perform direct source-code or license scanning
  • Requires deployment through containers or bare-metal installation
  • Workflow-specific SBOM format support varies by import or export path
Our verdict

FOSSology is an open-source license compliance system and toolkit for organizations reviewing software components and distributions. It is suited to teams that want a free, self-hosted workflow for scanning licenses, copyrights, and…

Read the review →

SW360 is an open-source software catalog and compliance application for organizations managing third-party components. It brings component, release, project, license, obligation, vulnerability, and clearing information into one system.…

Read the review →
  1. FOSSologyOpen Source License Compliance Software 8.4Free plan
  2. SW360Open Source License Compliance Software 8.3Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • FOSSology — where it wins

    • Free and open-source with self-managed deployment options
    • Combines scanning, web review workflows, obligation tracking, and reporting
    • Supports SPDX, CycloneDX, Debian copyright, and README reports

    Where it doesn't

    • Policy blocking capabilities are not documented
    • Requires self-managed installation and operation
    • No named third-party integrations are documented

  • SW360 — where it wins

    • Centralizes components, releases, licenses, obligations, and vulnerabilities
    • Supports BOMs, SPDX, CycloneDX, clearing workflows, and attribution documents
    • REST API access with FOSSology and external tool integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Does not perform direct source-code or license scanning
    • Requires deployment through containers or bare-metal installation
    • Workflow-specific SBOM format support varies by import or export path

More comparisons

All open source license compliance software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update