# TiDB: Free Open Source Alternative to AWS Aurora, Fauna, MongoDB

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/tidb
Last updated: 2026-11-07

TiDB (Open Source, Open Source) replaces AWS Aurora, Fauna, MongoDB, PlanetScale. Distributed SQL database combining OLTP and OLAP capabilities, offering horizontal scalability, high availability, and real-time analytics.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: TiDB
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://tidb.cloud/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/pingcap/tidb
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 40.7k
- **Runs On**: Local
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/pingcap/tidb or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (4)
Replacing these paid tools with TiDB saves up to $100/mo ($1,200/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [AWS Aurora](https://caniforkit.com/aws-aurora) | [databases](https://caniforkit.com/category/databases) | $25/mo | [Compare AWS Aurora vs TiDB](https://caniforkit.com/vs/aws-aurora-vs-tidb) |
| [Fauna](https://caniforkit.com/fauna) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Fauna vs TiDB](https://caniforkit.com/vs/fauna-vs-tidb) |
| [MongoDB](https://caniforkit.com/mongodb) | [databases](https://caniforkit.com/category/databases) | $25/mo | [Compare MongoDB vs TiDB](https://caniforkit.com/vs/mongodb-vs-tidb) |
| [PlanetScale](https://caniforkit.com/planetscale) | [databases](https://caniforkit.com/category/databases) | $25/mo | [Compare PlanetScale vs TiDB](https://caniforkit.com/vs/planetscale-vs-tidb) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is TiDB free and open source?
TiDB is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on local. Distributed SQL database combining OLTP and OLAP capabilities, offering horizontal scalability, high availability, and real-time analytics.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using TiDB?
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)