Open Source is in Our DNA: Reaffirming TiDB’s Commitment

When we first set out to build TiDB, we didn’t just want to create another database—we wanted to build a community-driven, open-source project that developers worldwide could trust and contribute to. From day one, TiDB has been an open-source project under the Apache 2.0 license, and it remains so today. Open source isn’t just a label for us; it’s a core part of who we are and how we operate.

I’ll never forget the feeling of submitting the very first pull request to the TiDB repository. It wasn’t just a code change; it was a signal to the world that we were committed to building something together. TiDB wouldn’t be what it is today without the thousands of contributions from developers worldwide. In those early days, we were fortunate that CNCF generously lent us servers for testing, even when TiKV wasn’t a member project yet.

On a more personal note, my journey into programming started young, around 1995, in a neighborhood with no computer teachers. My only learning channel was the open-source community. The developers there treated me as an equal, despite my young age, and welcomed me into the world of programming. All my foundational computer knowledge comes from the open-source software community, which is why this community means so much to me. We are incredibly proud of the community that has grown around TiDB, and that spirit of inclusivity and collaboration continues to drive us forward.

A Troubling Shift in Open-Source Licensing

The modern open-source software business model has evolved from simply offering free software to a dual approach that combines community-driven development with enterprise monetization. Open-source companies often provide a free version of their software to build community adoption while offering premium, proprietary features, support, or managed cloud services to generate revenue. This balance between openness and commercialization allows companies to sustain growth while contributing to the broader ecosystem..

But lately, we are seeing a troubling trend in the open-source world. Vendors such as CockroachDB, Redis, Hashicorp, and more, once champions of open source, have shifted their licensing structures to protect their revenue streams. This isn’t ideal for several reasons:

1. Erosion of Trust: When companies change their licenses, it often feels like a broken promise. Developers who invest their time and energy into learning and contributing to these platforms are suddenly locked out or forced into costly enterprise plans.
2. Stifling Innovation: The open-source ecosystem thrives on innovation from a diverse group of contributors. When licenses become restrictive, it limits who can use, improve, and build upon the software. It hampers the very innovation that open-source is supposed to foster.
3. Fragmentation: License changes often lead to forks and fragmentation. This creates confusion in the developer community and spreads resources thin, diverting attention away from innovation and community-building. For instance, projects like Valkey and OpenTofu emerged as forks after licensing changes in other major open-source projects. While these forks serve as alternatives, they also divide the community and resources, slowing down collective progress and innovation.

TiDB’s Commitment to Open Source

At TiDB, we are standing firm in our commitment to open source. This stems from our Max’s and my vision of creating an open platform that fosters innovation, as well as our successful cloud adoption and growing base of large customers who trust in the flexibility and scalability of our open-source model. Our community has been integral to our success, and we want to continue empowering developers to build on TiDB without worrying about changing licenses or restrictions down the road.

To all the open-source developers out there: We want you to know that TiDB is here for you. Whether you’re building a side project, contributing to a major open-source initiative, or launching a startup, TiDB can support your needs. We remain open-source and free for you to modify, distribute, and build upon. But we’re not just going to talk about our commitment—we’re going to put action behind our words. 

We’ve long been champions of the open-source community, encouraging collaboration and innovation through initiatives like our TiDB Champion program. This program has recognized and supported individuals contributing to the growth of TiDB and open-source projects. Today, we’re extending that commitment even further by taking concrete steps to show our gratitude to open-source developers everywhere through a new initiative through OSSInsight. 

If you’re an open-source contributor on GitHub, we want to fuel your next big idea. We’re offering up to $2000 in free TiDB Cloud Serverless credits based on your open-source contributions. These credits can be used for a wide range of projects, from hosting personal websites or small-scale databases to scaling startups and building enterprise-level, data-heavy applications. Whether you’re experimenting with new ideas or running mission-critical systems, TiDB Cloud Serverless can power your next project.

This initiative isn’t just about providing free credits—it’s about continuing to support the community that has helped build and grow TiDB. We’re eager to see how you use TiDB to bring your projects to life, and we’re proud to play a part in that journey. 

To get started, log in with your GitHub account on OSSInsight, check your contribution history, and claim your credits to start building today!

Supporting Open Source Together

The open-source ecosystem thrives on collaboration, trust, and transparency—values that TiDB has championed from the start. While others may shift their focus, we remain steadfast in our commitment to open innovation and freedom. TiDB isn’t just a database; we’re your partner in building extraordinary projects, whether you’re a seasoned maintainer or just starting.

We believe that when developers are empowered with the right tools, they can achieve incredible things. We hope this program inspires you to bring your next project to life with TiDB. Let’s keep building together.