Firebird
Firebird is a free, open-source relational database management system with ANSI SQL features, available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployment.
What Firebird is
Firebird is a free, open-source relational database management system with ANSI SQL features, available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployment. Its multi-generation architecture generally allows readers to access data without blocking writers. SQL capabilities include stored procedures, triggers, common table expressions, cross-database queries, and flexible transaction management. A Trace API and monitoring tables support monitoring, SQL debugging, and auditing. Security controls include users and roles, GRANT and REVOKE permissions, and a database owner concept. Windows Trusted Authentication can integrate sign-in with Windows domain or Active Directory security. Deployment choices include embedded, SuperServer, SuperClassic, and Classic architectures; distributions include Windows installers and RPM or tar.gz packages. Firebird supports online backups and dumps, plus incremental backup with partly supported point-in-time recovery. Connectivity options include Java JDBC, .NET, Python, ODBC, PHP, Delphi, and C++ Builder drivers. Free community support is available, alongside commercial and special support. The downloads page lists 5.0.4, 4.0.7, and 3.0.14 as the latest versions in their series; listed series at 2.5 and earlier are discontinued and no longer maintained.
Good
- Free to download, license, and deploy.
- Offers several deployment architectures.
- Includes SQL procedures, triggers, and transactions.
- Supports multiple programming-language drivers.
- Provides monitoring, debugging, and auditing tools.
Watch out
- Firebird 2.5 and earlier series are discontinued.
- Point-in-time recovery is only partly supported.
- Commercial enterprise support is listed at €199 a month.
Who it suits
Firebird suits teams or developers seeking a self-hosted relational database with multiple deployment architectures and driver options. Its monitoring and SQL features may also suit users who need database auditing and debugging tools.
Verdict
Firebird offers a broad set of database, deployment, and monitoring capabilities without download or deployment fees. Check release maintenance status and backup requirements when selecting a version and setup.
Plans and prices
From Firebird's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Firebird SQL | Free | No fees for download, registration, licensing, or deployment, including commercial distribution |
| Enterprise subscription | €199 a month | Proactive automated monitoring · human support · support for old Firebird versions · from €199/month/1 servers |
The facts
Each one read from Firebird's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authentication
- Windows Trusted Authentication supports single sign-on and integration with Windows domain or Active Directory security.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Backup
- Firebird supports online backups and dumps, plus incremental backup with partially supported point-in-time recovery.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Concurrency
- Its multi-generation architecture lets readers access data without blocking writers under most conditions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Current releases
- The downloads page lists Firebird 5.0.4, 4.0.7, and 3.0.14 as the latest versions in their series.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Firebird offers embedded, SuperServer, SuperClassic, and Classic architectures, plus Windows installers and RPM or tar.gz distributions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Drivers
- Connectivity options include Java JDBC, .NET, Python, ODBC, PHP, Delphi, and C++ Builder drivers.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- Firebird modules are released under the Initial Developer's Public License, a variant of the Mozilla Public License 1.1.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Monitoring
- Firebird offers a Trace API and monitoring tables for real-time monitoring, SQL debugging, and auditing.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Network
- The site says Firebird normally uses network port 3050, which can be configured, and database aliases avoid exposing database paths.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The downloads page says Firebird 2.5 and earlier listed series are discontinued and no longer maintained by the project.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Firebird is an open source relational database management system with ANSI SQL features.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- Security features include users and roles, GRANT and REVOKE permissions, and a database owner concept.checked 4 Oct 2026
- SQL capabilities
- Features include stored procedures, triggers, common table expressions, cross-database queries, and flexible transaction management.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- Free community support is available through Firebird support mailing lists, with commercial and special support also offered.checked 4 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
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