Is Cassandra Database Free?

05.02.2025

Apache Cassandra is a popular open-source distributed NoSQL database management system known for its scalability and high availability. In this article, we will explore whether Cassandra is free to use.

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1. Open-Source License

Cassandra is released under the Apache License 2.0, which is a permissive open-source license. This means that you can use, modify, and distribute Cassandra for free without having to pay any licensing fees.

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2. Community Edition

The core features of Cassandra are available in the Community Edition, which is free to use. This version is suitable for many use cases and can be deployed in production environments without any cost.

3. Enterprise Features

While the Community Edition is free, DataStax, the company behind Cassandra, offers an Enterprise Edition that includes additional features and support services. These enterprise features are not free and require a subscription or licensing fee.

4. Support Options

For users of the Community Edition, there is a vibrant community of developers and users who provide support through forums, mailing lists, and other channels. Additionally, there is extensive documentation available for free.

5. Training and Certification

DataStax offers training courses and certification programs for Cassandra, which are not free. These programs provide in-depth knowledge and skills for developers and administrators working with Cassandra.

6. Cloud Offerings

Several cloud providers offer managed Cassandra services, allowing you to deploy and scale Cassandra clusters in the cloud. While these services are not free, they provide convenience and additional features for users.

7. Total Cost of Ownership

When considering whether Cassandra is free, it is essential to factor in the total cost of ownership, which includes expenses such as infrastructure, maintenance, and support. While the software itself may be free, there are costs associated with deploying and managing a Cassandra cluster.

8. Conclusion

In conclusion, Cassandra is free to use under the Apache License 2.0, and the Community Edition provides robust features for many use cases. While there are paid options available for additional features and support, users can leverage the open-source nature of Cassandra for their projects without incurring licensing fees.

Yan Hadzhyisky

fullstack PHP+JS+REACT developer