Question 1

How is SurrealDB source code licensed?

Accepted Answer

Source code for SurrealDB is variously licensed under a number of different licences. A copy of each licence can be found in each repository on GitHub. Libraries and SDKs, each located in its own distinct repository, are released under either the Apache License 2.0 or MIT License. Certain core database components, each located in its own distinct repository, are released under the Apache License 2.0. Core database code for SurrealDB is released under the Business Source License 1.1. The code licensed under the Business Source License is free to use and the source code is freely available, but users may not provide SurrealDB as a managed service, or a database-as-a-service (DBaaS), without an agreement with SurrealDB Ltd.

Question 2

How open is the Business Source License?

Accepted Answer

We have adopted a permissive version of the BSL. SurrealDB users can scale to any number of nodes, use or embed SurrealDB in their applications, and even run it as an internal service. The only restriction is offering a commercial DBaaS without an enterprise licence. Four years after each release, the licence converts to the Apache License 2.0.

Question 3

How does the Business Source License work?

Accepted Answer

SurrealDB uses MariaDB's BSL 1.1 with an Additional Use Grant that allows any usage except offering SurrealDB commercially as a DBaaS for four years from each release. After that period, the code becomes available under Apache License 2.0. The core edition is no longer OSI-open-source during this window, but the source code remains freely available for use, redistribution, and modification with that single restriction.

Question 4

Do I need to purchase a SurrealDB licence for development use?

Accepted Answer

No. SurrealDB is free to use for all development, pre-production, and production use.

Question 5

Do I need to purchase a SurrealDB licence for production scenarios?

Accepted Answer

No. SurrealDB is free to use for all development, pre-production, and production use.

Question 6

Trusted & certified for enterprise security

Accepted Answer

SurrealDB meets enterprise security standards including SOC 2 Type 2, GDPR, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001.

SurrealDB licence FAQs

SurrealDB licence FAQs

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