Open Source

Open Source Streaming Database

RisingWave is free and open source under Apache 2.0 license. No vendor lock-in. Self-host on Kubernetes or use managed cloud. 8,800+ GitHub stars.

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Apache 2.0

Open Source License

Free to use, modify, and distribute for any purpose — commercial included

8,800+

GitHub Stars

Active community of developers, contributors, and production users

License Fees

No per-node pricing, no usage caps, no surprise bills — ever

Full

Data Control

Self-host anywhere — your infrastructure, your data, your rules

Why Open Source

How does RisingWave compare to closed-source streaming databases?

Closed-source alternatives impose vendor lock-in, restrict self-hosting, limit code transparency, prevent customization, and force data to reside on vendor infrastructure. RisingWave provides full source visibility, unrestricted modification rights, self-hosting flexibility, cost savings, and complete data control.

Factor	Closed Source	RisingWave (Open Source)
License	BSL or proprietary	Apache 2.0 (open)
Cost	$100K-500K+/year	Free
Self-Host	Limited/not allowed	Yes (Kubernetes)
Source Code	Black box	Full visibility
Modifications	No	Yes
Data Residency	Vendor decides	Full control

→No license fees — save $100K-500K/year compared to proprietary alternatives
→Fork, modify, and deploy without vendor approval
→Full audit trail of every line of code processing your data
→Complete data sovereignty — your infrastructure, your rules

Deployment

What deployment options are available?

RisingWave runs anywhere. Start locally with Docker (30 seconds), deploy to production on Kubernetes with Helm charts, or use RisingWave Cloud for fully managed operations without operational overhead. Choose the deployment model that fits your infrastructure and team capacity.

Docker

30 seconds to start locally. Perfect for development and evaluation.

Kubernetes

Production-ready via Helm charts. Deploy on AWS, GCP, Azure, or on-prem.

RisingWave Cloud

Fully managed, hands-off operations. Same open source core with zero ops.

Community Support

Thousands of experienced users. GitHub issues, Slack, and documentation.

Benefits

Why do companies choose open source RisingWave?

Companies choose RisingWave for substantial cost savings, vendor lock-in avoidance, complete data sovereignty, security transparency, unrestricted customization, and active community support. Open source ensures your streaming infrastructure remains under your control.

→Cost Savings — No license fees. Save $100K-500K/year.
→No Vendor Lock-In — Fork it. Migrate elsewhere. You're never trapped.
→Data Sovereignty — Keep all data in your infrastructure.
→Security — Audit source code. Apply patches immediately.
→Customization — Add features for your use case.
→Community — Access thousands of experienced users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Apache 2.0 license mean for me?

Can I modify RisingWave for my specific needs?

How do I self-host RisingWave?

Is there a managed version available?

Ready to go open source?

Start with Docker in 30 seconds or deploy to Kubernetes today.

Explore on GitHub

Try RisingWave Cloud →Stream Without Java →