DHTMLX Gantt is highly regarded not only for its performance under high loads and extensive customization, but also for its business-friendly licensing model. Apart from highly flexible commercial options, this JavaScript UI component has long been distributed under the GPL license, opening up a great opportunity to use standard Gantt capabilities in open-source projects. Recently, it has been succeeded by a more permissive Community Edition of DHTMLX Gantt, covered by the MIT license. To avoid confusion regarding the available licensing options for DHTMLX Gantt, let us consider each of them in more detail and clarify when the migration from open-source versions to the commercial (PRO) edition makes sense.
GPL License: Support for Legacy Gantt Versions (v9.x and Earlier)
In general, the GPL license type suits developers and organizations that are comfortable with the strict principles of software distribution. But for years, the GPL Gantt version has been a common starting point for exploring the component.
However, with the recent appearance of the more permissive Gantt Community Edition, the GPL option may become less attractive for new projects. So, GPL is no longer available for new Gantt releases, but remains accessible on GitHub for older Gantt versions (v9.x and earlier). For those who want to use the latest Gantt versions, it is recommended to opt for the MIT option. The migration from GPL to MIT is fairly simple; check this step-by-step guide.
The GPL JavaScript Gantt chart for v9.x and earlier is still appropriate for experimentation and open-source projects as follows:
- Educational and academic initiatives
- Prototypes
- Open-source pet projects
If the ultimate goal is not limited to exploring the standard product’s capabilities or building open-source apps/demo projects, it is better to consider the next licensing option.
MIT License: Cover Standard Scheduling Needs for Free
The DHTMLX Gantt Community Edition is one of the notable novelties included in the recent Gantt 10.0 anniversary update. This step should help address the high demand for high-quality Gantt components in the open-source segment. It becomes a reasonable substitute for the legacy GPL option.
With MIT, developers can benefit from a more permissive way of using, modifying, and distributing DHTMLX Gantt. The DHTMLX Gantt Community Edition under the MIT license can be integrated into any projects, including monetized apps, without the obligatory condition to reveal the codebase to the public for free. While MIT certainly lowers adoption barriers, you still have to meet some conditions, like including the original copyright notice and the full license text in source files.
When talking about functional capabilities, the open-source Gantt component under the MIT license largely repeats the feature set of the commercial Gantt, except for numerous PRO features. Using the developer-friendly Gantt API, it becomes much easier to configure the Gantt chart as desired, add custom logic, and incorporate a workable Gantt functionality into a web app written in pure JS or with other technologies (integration guides can be found in the docs).
The MIT-licensed Gantt is a good fit for:
- Open-source or commercial projects with standard scheduling requirements
- Startups that need a clear extension plan as their businesses scale and grow
- Internal business tools and MVPs
When the need for more enterprise-oriented capabilities arises, it won’t be a problem to migrate from MIT to an appropriate commercial license.
Commercial License: Full Strength and Convenience for Professional Development
Delivering a modern enterprise-grade app with advanced features like a Gantt view is a challenging task, where the details matter. That is why many organizations that need such a solution choose not to skimp on implementing key functional elements and opt for the commercial version rather than open-source alternatives. The paid version offers the most predictable and straightforward way to production deployment for customer-facing apps.
The commercial JavaScript Gantt chart provides access to a solid package of PRO features designed to achieve complex goals with scheduling automation, resource planning, and enhanced task management. It also supports watermark-free export options and offers wrappers for React, Angular, and Vue, which will help avoid Gantt integration issues in apps based on these frameworks.
Check a side-by-side feature comparison of Community Edition vs PRO edition.
On top of that, commercial licenses also guarantee access to professional support from the DHTMLX team. Timely assistance with specific configuration scenarios, modifications, and troubleshooting helps overcome many obstacles to a smooth project launch. Depending on the selected license plan, organizations can also get extended maintenance options and useful add-ons.
Thanks to its PRO capabilities, DHTMLX Gantt stands out in the lists of the best JavaScript Gantt chart libraries in 2026. Many acknowledge that the commercial version of DHTMLX Gantt is a strong option for:
- Enterprise-grade project management apps
- Complex scheduling and planning systems
- Cloud-based proprietary platforms (SaaS products or enterprise CRM systems)
Side-By-Side Comparison of Licensing Options for DHTMLX Gantt
Now, let us summarize all of the above in the following JavaScript Gantt chart license comparison table:
| Criteria | GPL (v2.0) | MIT (Community Edition) | Commercial (PRO) |
| Usage cost | Free | Free | Paid (from $799) |
| License scope | Legacy Gantt versions (v9x and earlier) | From v10.0 onward | All versions |
| Commercial usage | Possible (if GPL obligations are met) | Permitted | Fully supported for commercial projects |
| Closed-source distribution | Not allowed (source code must be freely available) | Allowed | Allowed |
| Feature coverage | Standard Gantt features | Standard Gantt features | Standard + PRO (auto-scheduling, resource management, etc.) |
| Tech assistance | Community forum | Community forum | Professional tech support |
| Best for | Learning, demo, open-source projects | Open-source and commercial projects with standard requirements | Enterprise systems, CRM/ERP-like platforms, complex engineering and manufacturing systems |
The combined licensing model adopted for DHTMLX Gantt allows teams to conduct thorough technology evaluation, build a minimum viable product (MVP), and smoothly migrate to a commercial license to stay on track at the enterprise level.
Wrapping Up
Today, development teams carefully evaluate tools used to implement the key functionalities of their projects. Businesses often don’t want to invest in tools without knowing about the potential pitfalls that become obvious only after a certain time of practical use. Some products may look good on paper or offer too many features, but half of them may be irrelevant for a project at the moment. Prices for commercial JS Gantt components from reputable vendors can also be a stumbling block for startups and SMBs in the early stages.
DHTMLX Gantt comes under different licensing types, including GPL for legacy use, MIT for flexible adoption, and commercial options for addressing enterprise needs. Thus, teams can start using this project management JavaScript library without upfront costs and transition smoothly to the commercial version as projects grow in complexity, becoming more demanding in terms of functional capabilities. This licensing flexibility allows teams to get exactly what they need from DHTMLX Gantt at different project stages, from early prototyping to enterprise deployment.
FAQ
Can DHTMLX Gantt be used without purchasing the license?
Yes. In addition to commercial plans, DHTMLX Gantt is also available under the open-source MIT (Gantt Community Edition) license. Legacy versions of the Standard edition of the Gantt component are covered by the GPL license (v2.0).
How do GPL and MIT licenses differ in practice for DHTMLX Gantt?
The GPL license requires distributed apps with integrated DHTMLX Gantt to follow the copyleft terms, including such a point as making the corresponding source code available under the same license. The MIT-licensed Community Edition is more permissive, allowing the component to be used in both open-source and commercial projects with minor requirements.
Can current users of the GPL version switch to the Gantt Community Edition?
Yes, here are the migration instructions. In fact, it is generally recommended to take this path if you want to use the latest Gantt versions for free (v10+). The GPL option is limited to legacy versions (v9.x and earlier).
When does it make sense to move from open-source Gantt versions to the commercial edition?
Free Gantt versions work well for standard scheduling needs, while the commercial Gantt becomes more relevant when the project starts growing in scale and complexity. The commercial edition offers PRO features (20+), framework wrappers, extended export options, and tech assistance from the DHTMLX team.
Is it possible to start the project with the MIT-licensed Gantt and later upgrade to the commercial license?
Yes, it is often reasonable to start with the MIT-based Community Edition, which does not demand any upfront costs, and later upgrade to the commercial version to meet new operational requirements.