MariaDB Server
MariaDB Server is a general-purpose, open-source relational database management system for applications, transaction data, analytics, and embedded deployments.
What MariaDB Server is
MariaDB Server is a general-purpose, open-source relational database management system for applications, transaction data, analytics, and embedded deployments. Its architecture lets users select storage engines such as InnoDB, Aria, MyISAM, S3, and OQGRAPH. It retains high compatibility with MySQL and offers an Oracle syntax compatibility mode. JSON functions and a JSON data type alias are available, as is a JSON table type for the CONNECT storage engine. Plugins can extend the server with storage, security, logging, monitoring, auditing, authentication, and password-strength features. MariaDB integrates with development languages, frameworks, cloud tools, and connectors. It is released under GPLv2, with a commitment to remain open source, and is available through major Linux distribution repositories as well as downloadable binaries and source code. Versions are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Community LTS binaries are released for three years after general availability. MariaDB provides documentation, quickstarts, troubleshooting guides, release notes, books, and training.
Good
- GPLv2 release is guaranteed to remain open source.
- Offers MySQL compatibility and Oracle syntax mode.
- Supports multiple storage engines and JSON functions.
- Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Watch out
- The listed Community Server plan is self-hosted.
- Community Server plan is specified for non-production applications.
Who it suits
MariaDB Server suits developers and organizations seeking a self-hosted relational database for transaction data, analytics, or embedded deployments. Its storage-engine choices and MySQL compatibility can also fit varied application and tooling needs.
Verdict
MariaDB Server offers a broad database feature set under a guaranteed open-source license. Its self-hosted Community Server listing specifies non-production applications, so consider that stated scope when choosing it.
Plans and prices
From MariaDB Server's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| MariaDB Community Server | Free | GPLv2 · self-hosted · non-production applications |
The facts
Each one read from MariaDB Server's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Community support
- Bug reporters can seek help through Zulip or the maria-developers mailing list, and the project maintains a public issue tracker.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Compatibility
- MariaDB Server retains high compatibility with MySQL and provides an Oracle syntax compatibility mode.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Distribution
- MariaDB Server is available in standard repositories of all major Linux distributions and through downloadable binaries and source code.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Documentation and training
- MariaDB provides server documentation, quickstart guides, troubleshooting guides, release notes, books, and training through MariaDB Corporation.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Download API
- MariaDB provides a REST API for listing products and releases, retrieving files, checksums, signatures, mirrors, operating systems, and architectures.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Ecosystem
- MariaDB Server integrates with development languages, frameworks, cloud tools, and numerous connectors.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Encryption
- MariaDB supports TLS encryption for data in transit and symmetric encryption for data at rest, including InnoDB, Aria, redo-log, and binary-log data.checked 30 Sep 2026
- JSON support
- MariaDB Server provides JSON functions, a JSON data type alias, and a CONNECT storage-engine JSON table type.checked 30 Sep 2026
- License
- MariaDB Server is released under the GPLv2 open-source licence and is guaranteed to remain open source.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Long-term support
- MariaDB Community LTS binaries are released for three years after the general-availability date.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Plugins
- Plugins can add storage engines, security requirements, logging, performance monitoring, auditing, authentication, and password-strength checks.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Product type
- MariaDB Server is a general-purpose open-source relational database management system.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Security policy
- MariaDB Foundation commits to fixing all security bugs in stable MariaDB Server versions.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Storage engines
- Its open architecture lets users choose storage engines including InnoDB, Aria, MyISAM, S3, and OQGRAPH.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Use cases
- It supports high-availability transaction data, analytics, embedded deployments, and a wide range of tooling and applications.checked 30 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2009checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
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