Apache Derby is an open-source RDBMS solution from Apache. Compare it against 85 other RDBMS tools on FreeSoftwareX — by features, licensing and price — and request a quote or demo free in 2026.
What is Apache Derby?
Apache Derby is open source — its source code is publicly available and free to use, modify and self-host, usually with an active community and no licensing fees. It is categorised under RDBMS and published by Apache. Buyers typically evaluate Apache Derby when they need a dependable RDBMS option and want to weigh the trade-offs between free, open-source and paid tools before committing.
Yes. Apache Derby is open source and free to use, with no purchase cost for the core product.
What are the best Apache Derby alternatives?
Popular RDBMS alternatives to Apache Derby include 4th Dimension (4D), Actian Vector, Actian Zen (PSQL), Adabas D. See the full list of RDBMS on FreeSoftwareX.
What type of software is Apache Derby?
Apache Derby is an open-source RDBMS tool developed by Apache.
