# FerretDB

> free software MongoDB alternative

**Wikidata**: [Q124658065](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124658065)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ferretdb

## Summary
FerretDB is a free, open-source software that serves as a MongoDB alternative, designed as a document-oriented database management system. Released in 2021 under the Apache Software License 2.0, it allows users to run, study, modify, and distribute the software freely, making it a viable option for developers seeking compatibility with MongoDB while maintaining open-source principles.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Document-oriented database management system
- **License**: Apache Software License 2.0
- **Inception**: 2021
- **Initial Version**: 0.0.1 (released on November 1, 2021)
- **Latest Version**: 0.2.1 (released on May 17, 2022)
- **Operating System**: Linux (as of 2024-02-25)
- **Website**: [https://www.ferretdb.com/](https://www.ferretdb.com/) (primary), [https://www.ferretdb.io/](https://www.ferretdb.io/)
- **GitHub Repository**: [https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB)
- **User Manual**: [https://docs.ferretdb.io/](https://docs.ferretdb.io/)
- **Blog**: [https://blog.ferretdb.io/](https://blog.ferretdb.io/)
- **Mastodon**: ferretdb@techhub.social (167 followers as of April 11, 2024)

## FAQs
### Q: What is FerretDB, and how does it differ from MongoDB?
A: FerretDB is a free, open-source alternative to MongoDB, designed to provide document-oriented database functionality while adhering to open-source principles. Unlike MongoDB, which is proprietary, FerretDB is distributed under the Apache Software License 2.0, allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute the software.

### Q: Who developed FerretDB, and when was it released?
A: FerretDB was developed by the FerretDB community, and its initial version (0.0.1) was released on November 1, 2021. The project continues to evolve with regular updates, with the latest version (0.2.1) released on May 17, 2022.

### Q: Is FerretDB compatible with MongoDB?
A: Yes, FerretDB is designed to be compatible with MongoDB, allowing applications built for MongoDB to potentially work with FerretDB with minimal changes. This compatibility makes it an attractive option for developers looking to use open-source alternatives.

### Q: What license does FerretDB use?
A: FerretDB is licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0, which permits users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute the software, including modified versions.

### Q: Where can I find more information about FerretDB?
A: Detailed documentation and user guides are available on the official website ([https://www.ferretdb.com/](https://www.ferretdb.com/)) and the user manual ([https://docs.ferretdb.io/](https://docs.ferretdb.io/)). Additionally, updates and announcements are shared on the official blog ([https://blog.ferretdb.io/](https://blog.ferretdb.io/)) and the Mastodon account (ferretdb@techhub.social).

## Why It Matters
FerretDB addresses the growing demand for open-source alternatives to proprietary database systems like MongoDB. By providing a free and open-source solution, FerretDB empowers developers to build and deploy applications without the constraints of proprietary licenses. Its compatibility with MongoDB makes it an attractive option for those seeking to migrate from proprietary systems to open-source alternatives. The project's adherence to open-source principles, such as the Apache Software License 2.0, ensures that users have the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software as needed. As the project continues to evolve, FerretDB has the potential to play a significant role in the open-source database ecosystem, offering a viable alternative to proprietary solutions while maintaining the flexibility and community-driven development that define open-source projects.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source Alternative**: FerretDB provides a free and open-source alternative to MongoDB, allowing users to run, study, modify, and distribute the software under the Apache Software License 2.0.
- **MongoDB Compatibility**: Designed to be compatible with MongoDB, FerretDB enables applications built for MongoDB to potentially work with FerretDB with minimal changes.
- **Community-Driven Development**: FerretDB is developed by a community of contributors, with regular updates and releases to improve functionality and performance.
- **Document-Oriented Database**: As a document-oriented database management system, FerretDB is well-suited for applications that require flexible data models and schema-less storage.
- **Cross-Platform Support**: FerretDB is designed to work across different platforms, making it a versatile choice for developers looking for a database solution that can be deployed in various environments.

## Body
### Overview
FerretDB is a free and open-source software project that serves as an alternative to MongoDB, a popular document-oriented database management system. The project was initiated in 2021 and is licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0, which allows users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute the software. FerretDB is designed to be compatible with MongoDB, enabling applications built for MongoDB to potentially work with FerretDB with minimal changes.

### Development and Releases
FerretDB was first released on November 1, 2021, with version 0.0.1. Since then, the project has seen regular updates and releases, with the latest version (0.2.1) released on May 17, 2022. The development of FerretDB is community-driven, with contributors working to improve functionality, performance, and compatibility with MongoDB.

### Compatibility and Features
FerretDB is designed to be compatible with MongoDB, allowing applications built for MongoDB to potentially work with FerretDB with minimal changes. This compatibility makes FerretDB an attractive option for developers looking to use open-source alternatives to proprietary database systems. As a document-oriented database management system, FerretDB is well-suited for applications that require flexible data models and schema-less storage.

### Licensing and Community
FerretDB is licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0, which permits users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute the software, including modified versions. The project is developed by a community of contributors, with regular updates and releases to improve functionality and performance. The FerretDB community can be followed on Mastodon at ferretdb@techhub.social, where updates and announcements are shared.

### Resources and Documentation
Detailed documentation and user guides are available on the official website ([https://www.ferretdb.com/](https://www.ferretdb.com/)) and the user manual ([https://docs.ferretdb.io/](https://docs.ferretdb.io/)). Additionally, updates and announcements are shared on the official blog ([https://blog.ferretdb.io/](https://blog.ferretdb.io/)). The source code for FerretDB is available on GitHub at [https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB).

## References

1. Free Software Directory
2. [Source](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/blob/v1.0.0/CHANGELOG.md)
3. [Release 0.0.2. 2021](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.0.2)
4. [Release 0.0.3. 2021](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.0.3)
5. [Release 0.0.4. 2021](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.0.4)
6. [Release 0.0.5. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.0.5)
7. [Release 0.0.6. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.0.6)
8. [Release 0.1.0. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.1.0)
9. [Release 0.1.1. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.1.1)
10. [Release 0.2.0. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
11. [Release 0.2.1. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.2.1)
12. [Release 0.3.0. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.3.0)
13. [Release 0.4.0. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.4.0)
14. [Release 0.5.0. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.5.0)
15. [Release 0.5.1. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.5.1)
16. [Release 0.5.2. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.5.2)
17. [Release 0.5.3. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.5.3)
18. [Release 0.5.4. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.5.4)
19. [Release 0.6.1. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.6.1)
20. [Release 0.6.2. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.6.2)
21. [Release 0.7.0. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.7.0)
22. [Release 0.7.1. 2022](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.7.1)
23. [Release 0.8.1. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.8.1)
24. [Release 0.9.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.9.0)
25. [Release 0.9.1. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.9.1)
26. [Release 0.9.2. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.9.2)
27. [Release 0.9.3. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.9.3)
28. [Release 0.9.4. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v0.9.4)
29. [Release 1.0.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.0.0)
30. [Release 1.1.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.1.0)
31. [Release 1.2.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.2.0)
32. [Release 1.2.1. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.2.1)
33. [Release 1.3.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.3.0)
34. [Release 1.4.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.4.0)
35. [Release 1.5.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.5.0)
36. [Release 1.6.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.6.0)
37. [Release 1.6.1. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.6.1)
38. [Release 1.7.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.7.0)
39. [Release 1.8.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.8.0)
40. [Release 1.9.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.9.0)
41. [Release 1.10.1. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.10.1)
42. [Release 1.11.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.11.0)
43. [Release 1.12.1. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.12.1)
44. [Release 1.13.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.13.0)
45. [Release 1.14.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.14.0)
46. [Release 1.15.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.15.0)
47. [Release 1.16.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.16.0)
48. [Release 1.17.0. 2023](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.17.0)
49. [Release 1.18.0. 2024](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.18.0)
50. [Release 1.19.0. 2024](https://github.com/FerretDB/FerretDB/releases/tag/v1.19.0)