# Licensing

This guide explains the **licensing model** of EventSourcingDB and how it applies to different use cases. It outlines what is **free to use**, when a **commercial license** is required, and how the licensing mechanism works in practice.

Understanding these terms will help you evaluate whether EventSourcingDB fits your **technical and legal requirements** – especially in environments with **security**, **compliance**, or **air-gapped constraints**. For the current prices, see **[Pricing](/products/eventsourcingdb#pricing)**.

## Free Tier for Small Use Cases

EventSourcingDB can be used **free of charge** for small-scale applications that store **up to 25,000 events**. This limit is designed to support a wide range of use cases, including **evaluation**, **development**, **testing**, **personal projects**, and **smaller commercial systems**.

As long as the number of stored events remains below 25,000, you can use EventSourcingDB **without a license key** – in development and in production.

## Commercial Licensing

If you need to store **more than 25,000 events**, a **commercial license is required**. Each license is **bound to a single instance** of EventSourcingDB. If you operate multiple instances, you need a **separate license** for each of them.

A license is available with **two contract terms**: the **annual license** runs for one year, the **quarterly license** for three months. A license **renews automatically** at the end of its term.

For organizations running EventSourcingDB at larger scale, we also offer optional **volume licenses**. **Startups, non-profit organizations, and similar** may qualify for reduced terms on request – just **[contact us](mailto:hello@thenativeweb.io)**.

## Individual Developer Licensing

If you build on EventSourcingDB **as an individual developer** rather than as a company or team, you can license it at a **reduced rate**. An individual developer license is **technically identical** to a commercial one and unlocks exactly the same functionality.

The individual developer license is meant for **natural persons who do not run a company of their own**. It is for developers who build on EventSourcingDB in a **private capacity**, with the invoice issued **to you personally**.

If you **operate a company** – including a single-person GmbH, a UG, or a registered sole proprietorship – the **commercial license applies**, even if you work entirely on your own and think of yourself as an individual developer. The same holds as soon as EventSourcingDB is used **by or on behalf of a company or team**.

## Technical License Handling

Licensed users receive a **license key** that is provided as a file. It can be passed via a command-line flag or placed in a predefined location. There is **no online activation or remote license verification** – EventSourcingDB does not connect to any external servers for license checks.

This makes the system fully usable in isolated environments with no internet access, such as **air-gapped networks** or **high-security zones**.

## Behavior After License Expiry

If a license expires, EventSourcingDB continues to function in **read-only mode**. You can **still access all stored data**, run queries, and replay events. However, new events can only be written if the total number of stored events is still **below the 25,000** threshold – or if a new valid license is provided.

**Your data is never locked**, and no features are silently disabled. The system remains **transparent and predictable**, even when a license is missing or expired.

## Licensing Model in Practice

EventSourcingDB follows a clear and pragmatic licensing model: **free for small-scale usage**, **licensed per instance** for larger systems. It is **closed-source** and **commercially maintained**, with a focus on **long-term sustainability**, **operational simplicity**, and **professional support**.

If you're unsure which licensing model applies to your situation, or if you'd like to request a quote or a volume license, feel free to contact us at **[hello@thenativeweb.io](mailto:hello@thenativeweb.io)**. We're happy to help.