MongoDB has long been a favorite in the database community and is renowned for its flexibility and performance as a NoSQL solution. However, MongoDB Inc. chose to close-source the code of its Enterprise Advanced Server and, on top of that, reduced the value of the MongoDB Community Edition by no longer adding enterprise-grade features to it. For further information about the license change to SSPL, look at the two blog posts from Peter Zaitsev from 2020/2021:
This shift has profoundly altered MongoDB’s landscape. MongoDB Inc. also switched its primary focus to its database-as-a-service cloud solution, leaving many enterprises and open source advocates vendor-locked without essential advanced capabilities. They were forced to pay for premium subscriptions or stay with basic community functionality, creating a stark divide. As a result, companies started to look for equally valuable solutions with lower Total Cost of Ownership.
Thankfully, source-available alternatives like Percona Server for MongoDB (PSMDB) and open source backup tools like Percona Backup for MongoDB (PBM) provide a much-needed lifeline for those seeking freedom and reliability in their database operations.
The MongoDB commercial licensing dilemma
Have a look into MongoDB’s Enterprise Advanced Customer Agreement from November 2024 under the guise of a “free evaluation and development license.” Here’s the critical clause:
(b) Free Evaluation and Development. MongoDB grants you a royalty-free, nontransferable and nonexclusive license to use and reproduce the Software in your internal environment for evaluation and development purposes. You will not use the Software for any other purpose, including testing, quality assurance or production purposes without purchasing an Enterprise Advanced Subscription.
MongoDB’s Enterprise Advanced Server cannot be used for anything beyond initial evaluation and development. Testing, quality assurance, and production now require a paid Enterprise Advanced Subscription.
Enter Percona Server for MongoDB: A source available savior
For those seeking a source-available alternative to MongoDB’s Enterprise Advanced Server, Percona Server for MongoDB (PSMDB) emerges as a compelling choice. PSMDB is a drop-in replacement for MongoDB, offering enterprise-grade features without the licensing headaches.
Key features of Percona Server for MongoDB:
-
- No licensing restrictions: Unlike MongoDB’s Enterprise Advanced Server, PSMDB is a source-available SSPL v1 license project. It can be used freely for development, testing, QA, and production on-premises, hybrid, or public clouds (excl. Public cloud solutions).
- Full MongoDB compatibility: PSMDB is fully compatible with MongoDB Community Edition, making migrations straightforward.
- Enhanced security: It includes robust data-at-rest encryption and audit logging, catering to enterprises with stringent security requirements.
- Superior authentication: It provides integration with LDAP, Kerberos, and IAM authentication
- Enterprise tools: Comes with Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) for deep database performance, query analytics (QAN), tuning and health insights.
- Backup and restore automation: Via Percona Backup for MongoDB (PBM). It supports logical, physical, incremental, and Point-in-Time Recovery modes.
By adopting PSMDB and recommended additional tools, teams can sidestep the increasing limitations imposed by MongoDB’s licensing while still enjoying the same functionality and ecosystem.
Percona Backup for MongoDB (PBM): Simplifying backup and recovery
In addition to PSMDB, Percona also offers Percona Backup for MongoDB (PBM), a powerful, lightweight, and enterprise-grade backup tool tailored for MongoDB environments. PBM is designed to ensure data safety and integrity, regardless of whether you use MongoDB Community Edition or PSMDB for logical backups. Physical backups are only supported with PSMDB due to MongoDB Inc. removing the backup cursor functionality in MongoDB Community Edition. Together with Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM), they create a viable alternative to MongoDB OpsManager, an enterprise-only product.
Key features of PBM:
- Distributed architecture: Scales effortlessly with sharded clusters and replica sets.
- Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR): Provides robust disaster recovery options crucial for mission-critical applications.
- Open source: Free to use and customize, without hidden costs or licensing surprises.
- Easy integration: Compatible with both MongoDB and PSMDB, ensuring seamless adoption.
With PBM, organizations can confidently implement backup and recovery strategies without the complexity or cost of proprietary tools.
Why choose Percona?
Percona has a long-standing reputation for delivering enterprise-grade, open source database solutions. By using PSMDB and PBM, teams can:
- Avoid costly licensing fees and legal risks associated with MongoDB’s tightened terms.
- Leverage a fully source available stack for end-to-end database management.
- Access comprehensive support and services, if needed, without vendor lock-in.
- Access to optional support along with professional and managed services.
Final thoughts
The evolution of MongoDB’s Enterprise Advanced Server highlights a broader industry trend of increasing monetization efforts by once-open technologies. While this may work for some large enterprises, many have an open source first mandate, and it also poses significant challenges for smaller organizations and developers. Fortunately, Percona’s suite of solutions—PSMDB, PMM, PBM, and Percona Operator for MongoDB—offer a clear path forward.
If you’re feeling constrained by MongoDB Inc. terms, now is the time to explore Percona’s offerings. You will regain the flexibility and freedom and gain a robust, enterprise-ready database solution without the financial and operational overhead of restrictive licensing.
If you need additional support or consulting, don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts for tailored solutions.
Learn more about Percona Server for MongoDB and Percona Backup for MongoDB to take control of your database operations today.
About the Author
Kai WagnerI'm Kai and I work as a Sr. Engineering Manager for PostgreSQL at Percona. I'm passionate about open source and free speech. Actively engaged and a public speaker for many open source projects such as ceph, openATTIC, Linux Kernel and now PostgreSQL. Whenever I'm not sitting in front of my computer, I either spent time with the family or work on our house.
