How to Determine if MariaDB is Free in PostgreSQL

Is MariaDB free?

MariaDB Community Server is free under GPL v2; Enterprise editions require a paid subscription for proprietary features and support.

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Description

Is MariaDB free for commercial use?

MariaDB Community Server is licensed under GPL v2, so it is free for personal, academic, and commercial deployments. You may run, modify, and redistribute it provided you comply with GPL v2 requirements.

When do I need to pay for MariaDB Enterprise?

Payment is only needed when you adopt Enterprise-exclusive add-ons (e.g., advanced clustering, ColumnStore analytics, premium MaxScale filters) or want 24/7 vendor support and long-term maintenance releases.

What are my GPL obligations?

If you distribute MariaDB binaries or modified source with your product, you must offer the complete corresponding source code under GPL v2. Hosting MariaDB as a backend service for your SaaS does not count as distribution.

How do I check my MariaDB version?

Run the following from any SQL client:

SELECT VERSION();

Example in an ecommerce database

Validate the server build while viewing business data:

SELECT VERSION() AS mariadb_version, COUNT(*) AS total_orders, SUM(total_amount) AS revenue FROM Orders;

Best practices to keep MariaDB free

Stick with Community repositories, disable proprietary plugins, follow security patch releases, and review new features for licensing changes before adopting them.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming every MariaDB feature is GPL

Some tools and plugins ship only in Enterprise builds. Always confirm the license before adding a dependency.

Embedding MariaDB binaries without sharing source

Shipping an appliance or installer that bundles MariaDB but withholds source violates GPL v2. Provide source or obtain a commercial license.

FAQ

Does running MariaDB in Docker count as distribution?

Publishing a public Docker image that contains MariaDB counts as distribution, so you must provide the Dockerfile and any modified source.

Can I migrate from MySQL to MariaDB without paying?

Yes. Migration tools and Community Server are free. Costs only arise if you opt for Enterprise support.

Is the MariaDB cloud service free?

No.Managed offerings like SkySQL are paid; you pay for hosting and support, not for the core database engine.

Why How to Determine if MariaDB is Free in PostgreSQL is important

How to Determine if MariaDB is Free in PostgreSQL Example Usage


-- Confirm MariaDB version and revenue in one call
SELECT VERSION()                      AS mariadb_version,
       SUM(total_amount)              AS total_revenue,
       COUNT(*)                       AS order_count
FROM   Orders
WHERE  order_date >= CURRENT_DATE - INTERVAL '30 days';

How to Determine if MariaDB is Free in PostgreSQL Syntax


-- Basic server version
SELECT VERSION();

-- Check version and business metrics
SELECT VERSION() AS mariadb_version,
       COUNT(*)  AS total_orders
FROM   Orders;

Common Mistakes

Assuming all features (e.g., ColumnStore, certain MaxScale filters) are GPL-licensed. Solution: verify each feature’s license before enabling.
Embedding MariaDB binaries in a commercial product without offering source code. Solution: provide GPL source or obtain a commercial license.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the GPL force me to open-source my application?

No. The GPL only requires you to provide MariaDB’s source and any modifications you made to it, not your proprietary application code, unless you statically link MariaDB into your binary.