# SurrealDB

> BSL multi-model DB; free to use, not OSI open source

**Category:** Databases  
**Pricing:** source-available  
**URL:** https://surrealdb.com  
**GitHub:** https://github.com/surrealdb/surrealdb  
**Added:** 2026-09-08

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## The Hook

SurrealDB is the multi-model engine that wants document, graph, and SQL in one binary — with a loud license line.

## What's Good

Source-available. Single binary / embedded options, SurrealQL, realtime live queries, SDKs. Community self-host is free for normal app/prod use. Cloud has a free instance for prototypes, then usage pricing.

## The Catch

Business Source License 1.1 — NOT OSI open source. You may not offer SurrealDB as a commercial DBaaS without a deal; code flips to Apache-2.0 after the change date (3.0 → 2030-01-01). Enterprise HA/security features are paid. It is not MIT/Apache OSS.

## Verdict

BSL multi-model DB. Free for most builders; source-available with a DBaaS ban — say so out loud.