MariaDB Server

Name: MariaDB Server
Author: MariaDB Server

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

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What MariaDB Server is

MariaDB Server is a general-purpose open-source relational database management system for transaction data, analytics, embedded deployments, and applications. It supports high availability and is self-hosted, with versions for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The software is released under the GPLv2 licence, and the project states that it is guaranteed to remain open source. Its architecture lets users choose 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, a JSON data type alias, and a JSON table type for the CONNECT storage engine are listed. Plugins can extend storage, security, logging, monitoring, auditing, authentication, and password-strength features. MariaDB integrates with development languages, frameworks, cloud tools, and connectors. It is available through major Linux distribution repositories, downloadable binaries, and source code. Community LTS binaries are released for three years after general availability. MariaDB Server was founded in 2009, with headquarters in Delaware, USA.

Who it suits

MariaDB Server may suit teams and developers looking for a self-hosted relational database for applications, analytics, or transaction workloads. It also suits environments that need MySQL compatibility or selectable storage engines.

What it does well

Released under GPLv2 and guaranteed to remain open source.
Supports multiple storage engines.
Includes JSON functions and an Oracle syntax compatibility mode.
Community LTS binaries are released for three years.

What to know first

Deployment is self-hosted.
Community LTS binaries are released for three years after general availability.

Limits

The MariaDB Community Server plan is listed as free under GPLv2 for self-hosted, non-production applications. Community LTS binaries are released for three years after general availability.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
MariaDB Community Server	GPLv2 · self-hosted · non-production applications	Free

As mariadb.org lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the MariaDB website.
Choose a Linux repository, downloadable binary, or source code route.
Select the package for your operating system and architecture.
Install and run MariaDB Server in a self-hosted environment.
Consult the server documentation or quickstart guides.

Verdict

MariaDB Server is a free, self-hosted database with broad workload support, storage-engine options, and MySQL compatibility. Its open-source licence and available documentation make the project information accessible to adopters.

Questions

Is MariaDB Server free?

Yes. The MariaDB Community Server plan is listed as free under GPLv2.

Is MariaDB Server open source?

Yes. It is released under GPLv2, with a commitment that it will remain open source.

Which operating systems does it support?

MariaDB Server is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Can MariaDB Server work with MySQL applications?

It retains high compatibility with MySQL and provides an Oracle syntax compatibility mode.

Does MariaDB Server support JSON?

Yes. It provides JSON functions, a JSON data type alias, and a JSON table type for the CONNECT storage engine.

How can users get support and documentation?

MariaDB provides server documentation, quickstarts, troubleshooting guides, release notes, and books. Community bug reporters can use Zulip or the maria-developers mailing list, and the project maintains a public issue tracker.

Facts from MariaDB Server's own pages

Community support: Bug reporters can seek help through Zulip or the maria-developers mailing list, and the project maintains a public issue tracker. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Compatibility: MariaDB Server retains high compatibility with MySQL and provides an Oracle syntax compatibility mode. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Distribution: MariaDB Server is available in standard repositories of all major Linux distributions and through downloadable binaries and source code. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Documentation and training: MariaDB provides server documentation, quickstart guides, troubleshooting guides, release notes, books, and training through MariaDB Corporation. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Download API: MariaDB provides a REST API for listing products and releases, retrieving files, checksums, signatures, mirrors, operating systems, and architectures. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Ecosystem: MariaDB Server integrates with development languages, frameworks, cloud tools, and numerous connectors. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 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. · mariadb.com, 30 Sept 2026
Founded: 2009 · mariadb.org, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · mariadb.org, 22 Sept 2026
JSON support: MariaDB Server provides JSON functions, a JSON data type alias, and a CONNECT storage-engine JSON table type. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
License: MariaDB Server is released under the GPLv2 open-source licence and is guaranteed to remain open source. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Long-term support: MariaDB Community LTS binaries are released for three years after the general-availability date. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Plugins: Plugins can add storage engines, security requirements, logging, performance monitoring, auditing, authentication, and password-strength checks. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Product type: MariaDB Server is a general-purpose open-source relational database management system. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Security policy: MariaDB Foundation commits to fixing all security bugs in stable MariaDB Server versions. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Storage engines: Its open architecture lets users choose storage engines including InnoDB, Aria, MyISAM, S3, and OQGRAPH. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026
Use cases: It supports high-availability transaction data, analytics, embedded deployments, and a wide range of tooling and applications. · mariadb.org, 30 Sept 2026