NightOwl is free for open source
If you maintain an open source Laravel app, you can monitor it with NightOwl for free. It's the same product companies pay for.
Reviewed by a person · Usually a day or two
Everything is included
An open source grant runs on our top plan. The only limit is the number of apps, which we set from what you tell us when you apply.
Every feature unlocked
MCP, agent health monitoring, granular data clearing, and the full data history.
Unlimited contributors
One central dashboard the whole team logs into, instead of every contributor running Telescope on their own machine.
Apps sized to your project
You tell us how many apps you need and we set that as your limit. If the project grows, ask and we raise it.
Your own database
Telemetry goes to a PostgreSQL database you run, so it never touches our servers.
An optional README badge
If you'd like one, drop this into your README. It's optional and approval never depends on it. It just helps other maintainers find the program.
[](https://usenightowl.com/open-source)
Who qualifies
You're a fit
- The project runs a real Laravel app you can point it at, like a shared dev or staging environment, a demo, or a public instance
- An OSI-approved license, like MIT, Apache 2.0, or GPL
- Public source and community-run. Donations, sponsorships, paid support, and one-time paid add-ons for self-hosters are all fine
Not this program
- A package or library on its own, since there's no running app for NightOwl to monitor
- A company sells a hosted version, a subscription, or an enterprise tier of the same app
- Monitoring for a company's internal or customer-facing app (paid plans start at $5/mo)
If you're not sure whether you qualify, apply anyway and tell us about the project. We read the borderline ones ourselves.
How to apply
Sign up, then email us
Create your account first, so there's something to attach the grant to. Then send the fields on the right to support@usenightowl.com. The apply button prefills them for you.
We review it
A person checks the project and sets your app cap. Usually a day or two.
Your project runs free
Connect your apps and go. Free for as long as the project stays open source.
- › Project name
- › Repository URL (one GitHub org)
- › License
- › Your role on the project
- › One line on what it does
- › Which apps you need to monitor (name each one)
- › Email you signed up with
- › Optional: anything else
Frequently asked questions
Is NightOwl really free for open source projects?
Yes. If you maintain an OSI-licensed, community-maintained open source Laravel project, NightOwl is free for as long as the project stays open source. Every feature is unlocked and team members are unlimited; the number of connected apps is capped to what your project needs, agreed when you apply.
How do I qualify?
The project needs an OSI-approved license, a public source repository, and genuine community maintenance. The line we draw is hosting: if a company sells a hosted version, a subscription, or an enterprise tier of the app, that's not the fit. If people self-host it and you fund the work through donations, sponsorships, paid support, or one-time paid add-ons, you're fine. If you're not sure, apply anyway and tell us about the project. We read the borderline ones ourselves.
I maintain a package, not an app. Does it qualify?
NightOwl monitors a running Laravel app (its requests, queries, jobs, and exceptions), so it needs a live app to point at. A package or library on its own doesn't have one. But it doesn't have to be production — the natural fit is the project's shared dev or staging environment, so contributors get one central view instead of each running Telescope locally. If the project runs a real app anywhere, that's what the grant covers. If you're unsure, just ask.
How many apps can I connect?
As many as your project needs. When you apply you list the apps you want to monitor and we set that as your cap. Environments don't count separately, so dev, staging and production of the same app all roll into one. Team members and teams are unlimited, so contributors aren't rationed. If the project grows and you need more apps, ask and we'll raise it.
Are there conditions?
The grant is for the project you named and the apps you listed. It doesn't cover a company's internal or customer-facing apps, or a commercial product built on the project. If a grant is used outside those terms we may revoke it. Your data stays in your PostgreSQL either way.
What kind of support do I get?
Community support: GitHub issues and the same documentation everyone uses. There's no dedicated SLA at this tier. Paid plans include email support.
Do I have to add a badge to my README?
No. Adding a "Monitored by NightOwl" badge is optional and helps other maintainers find this, but approval never depends on it.
What happens if the project stops being open source?
Free access is tied to the project staying open source. If it moves to a closed or commercial model, move it to a paid plan. Everything keeps running, since your telemetry lives in your own PostgreSQL either way.
Maintain an open source project?
Send us the details and we'll set your project up at no cost.
Apply for open source access