Introducing Event Store License v2 (ESLv2)

A New Era for EventStoreDB

At Event Store, we’ve always believed in empowering our community with open-source software while providing enterprise-level features to help organizations scale. Today, we are excited to announce an important change that will bring more clarity, simplicity, and protection to the way we deliver EventStoreDB. Starting with the 24.10 LTS release, we will transition to a new licensing model: the Event Store License v2 (ESLv2).

Why We’re Making This Change

We’ve always been committed to creating a powerful, scalable event-sourcing database that is accessible to everyone, from hobbyists to large enterprises. As EventStoreDB has grown in popularity, so have the challenges of balancing the needs of our open-source community and our commercial customers. The transition to ESLv2 allows us to continue innovating and improving EventStoreDB while providing a high level of transparency and access to the free version.

We are proud that more than 95% of the code contributions to EventStoreDB come from people working at Event Store, which ensures the highest level of quality and focus on advancing the product’s capabilities to meet the evolving demands of business today and tomorrow.

What is Event Store License v2 (ESLv2)?

ESLv2 is a variation of the popular Elastic License v2, tailored to meet the unique needs of our users and product. The primary goals of ESLv2 are:

Provide enterprise features to licensed customers in a streamlined way.
Ensure transparency by keeping our source code accessible to everyone.
Maintain our revenue model by simplifying the delivery and licensing of our software and support ongoing investment in product advancements.

Key Changes to EventStoreDB

Unified Binary Release
Previously, we released two binaries: one for open-source users (OSS) and another for commercial users. With ESLv2, we’re simplifying this process by offering a single binary artifact. This unified release will be licensed under ESLv2, meaning that anyone can access and use it, but enterprise features are only enabled with a valid license key.

The new single package will be available through the same channels that the current OSS package is distributed, including popular package managers and repositories. This is a significant improvement from the current system, where commercial binaries are only available through protected downloads.

Open Access to Source Code
The source code for all current and future features will remain open for all to view. This transparency is important for sustainability, giving users confidence that EventStoreDB is not only available but also actively maintained and continually enhanced.

Enterprise Features Available with a License Key
The major difference under ESLv2 is how we manage access to enterprise features. With a valid license key, customers can unlock advanced capabilities that help large organizations manage high-scale, complex event-sourcing architectures. Without a license key, the software will run in its OSS form and provide the same robust functionality as before.

Anyone can explore the enterprise features through a time-limited trial license, allowing users to evaluate and understand the full value of the premium capabilities before committing to a purchase.

Continued Innovation for Free and Commercial Users

We are actively working on new improvements for both the free and commercial versions of EventStoreDB. This license change will help us grow the company and secure ongoing investment in the product. It’s a win-win for both our open-source community and enterprise customers, ensuring that innovation and sustainability are continually prioritized.

What to Expect with Version 24.10 LTS

The first version to be released under this new licensing model will be EventStoreDB 24.10 LTS. This release represents the next step in our journey to bring more robust, scalable, and feature-rich solutions to our customers. Alongside the licensing change, 24.10 LTS will introduce various enhancements and improvements that we can’t wait to share with you.

What ESLv2 Means for You

For Open-Source Users: The core functionality of EventStoreDB remains free, with full access to the source code. The new license does not change your ability to use and contribute to the project.
For Enterprise Customers: The new license simplifies access to enterprise features. With a valid license key, you will have immediate access to all premium features in the same binary you already use. Additionally, the unified distribution means easier access to enterprise features through familiar channels.

Looking Forward

We are excited to embark on this new chapter with ESLv2, and we believe this change will provide long-term benefits to both our open-source community and our commercial customers. As always, our commitment to transparency, scalability, and innovation remains at the forefront of everything we do.

Thank you for your continued support of EventStoreDB. We’re looking forward to seeing the amazing things you’ll build!