Yes, MySQL is free: MySQL Community Edition is a free download under the GPL licence, and it includes the database server, replication, MySQL Router, connectors and MySQL Workbench. The catch is for software companies: if you ship MySQL inside a commercial product and don't want to release your own source code under the GPL, Oracle expects you to buy a commercial licence.
MySQL runs a huge number of websites and small business apps, often without the owner knowing it's there. When clients ask me whether they need to pay for it, the answer depends on one question: are you using MySQL, or selling software that contains it?
The free MySQL vs the paid editions
| Edition | Who it's for | Free? |
|---|---|---|
| MySQL Community Edition | Websites, apps and anyone who can work with the GPL | Yes, free download under the GPL |
| MySQL Enterprise Edition | Business-critical enterprise databases | No, commercial |
| MySQL Standard and Classic Editions | Commercial users needing Oracle's paid licence | No, commercial |
| MySQL Embedded (OEM/ISV) | Software firms that ship MySQL inside their products | No, commercial licence |
| MySQL HeatWave | Oracle's cloud service for transactions, analytics and AI | No, a cloud service |
What you get in MySQL Community Edition
Oracle describes MySQL Community Edition as the freely downloadable version of its open source database, available under the GPL licence and supported by an active community of developers. Its product page lists, among other things:
- SQL and NoSQL support, plus the MySQL Document Store.
- MySQL Replication and Group Replication for performance and fault tolerance.
- MySQL InnoDB Cluster for high availability and MySQL Router for routing between your app and the servers.
- Stored procedures, triggers and views.
- MySQL Connectors (ODBC, JDBC, .NET and more).
- MySQL Workbench for visual modelling, SQL development and administration.
Oracle says it runs on over 20 platforms and operating systems, including Linux, Unix, Mac and Windows. For most websites and internal business tools, that's everything you'll need.
The GPL catch for software companies
Here's the bit that matters if you build software. Oracle's licensing page says it offers the MySQL server and client libraries under a dual licence model. OEMs, ISVs, VARs and other distributors that combine their commercially licensed software with MySQL and distribute it, but don't want to release their own source code under the GPL, are expected to buy a commercial licence.
If you just run MySQL behind your own website or app, you're using it, not distributing it, and the free Community Edition is what most people use. If you're selling a product that bundles MySQL, read Oracle's licensing page and get advice before you ship.
How to start with MySQL for free
- Download MySQL Community Server from mysql.com for your operating system.
- Install MySQL Workbench, which is part of the Community Edition, if you'd like a visual way to manage it.
- Create a database and a user for your project rather than working as the admin user.
- Connect your app or website using one of the free MySQL Connectors.
- If you're building software to sell, check the licence position before you bundle MySQL in it.
If you're comparing databases, my guide to free database software covers MySQL alongside the alternatives. Many cheap and free web hosts include MySQL too, which saves you installing it. And if you're new to writing queries, these ChatGPT prompts for SQL help explain what each one does.
What about open source projects?
Oracle's licensing page has a separate answer for open source developers. If you build free open source software under the GPL and want to combine and distribute it with MySQL, Oracle says its GPL-licensed MySQL is the best option. For open source software under a licence other than the GPL, Oracle makes its MySQL Client Libraries available under a FOSS Exception, under certain conditions.
Oracle also states that MySQL software is open source, which means anyone can use and modify it. So the paid editions are about support, enterprise tooling and licence terms for closed products, not about getting the database itself.
Questions to ask before paying for MySQL
- Are you only running MySQL behind your own site or app? If so, the free Community Edition is what most people use.
- Do you need Oracle's enterprise tools or support for a business-critical system?
- Are you shipping software that includes MySQL to customers? If so, check the GPL position first.
- Does your host already include MySQL in your plan?
My advice
Use MySQL Community Edition free for your website, shop or internal tools; that's what it's there for. You only need to think about paying Oracle if you want enterprise support and tooling, or if you're a software company shipping MySQL inside a closed-source product. In that second case, sort the licence out before launch, not after a customer's legal team asks.
Frequently asked questions
Is MySQL free for commercial use?
MySQL Community Edition is a free download under the GPL. Running it behind your own website or app is how most businesses use it. Software firms that distribute MySQL with closed-source products are expected to buy a commercial licence.
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What's included in MySQL Community Edition?
Oracle lists the database server, replication, Group Replication, InnoDB Cluster, MySQL Router, connectors, stored procedures, triggers, views and MySQL Workbench.
Is MySQL Workbench free?
Yes. Oracle lists MySQL Workbench as part of the free MySQL Community Edition.
What's the difference between MySQL Community and Enterprise?
Community Edition is the free GPL version. Enterprise Edition is Oracle's commercial edition for business-critical enterprise database applications.
Is MySQL open source?
Yes. Oracle says MySQL software is open source, and MySQL Community Edition is available under the GPL licence.
Does MySQL run on Windows and Mac?
Yes. Oracle says MySQL Community Edition is available on over 20 platforms and operating systems, including Linux, Unix, Mac and Windows.
Who needs a MySQL commercial licence?
Oracle says OEMs, ISVs, VARs and other distributors that combine and distribute commercial software with MySQL, and don't want to release their own source code under the GPL, should buy a commercial licence.
Is MySQL Router free?
Yes. Oracle lists MySQL Router, which routes traffic between your application and your MySQL servers, as part of the free Community Edition.
Is MySQL Workbench part of the paid editions only?
No. Oracle lists MySQL Workbench, for visual modelling, SQL development and administration, as part of the free Community Edition.
