Redis returns to open source with AGPLv3 license but not everyone is happy

Over the last few years, companies like Redis, Elastic, MongoDB, and HashiCorp have abandoned their open-source license roots and switched to proprietary models. However, there is one significant problem with this attempt to squeeze more money from their formerly open-source programs: it doesn’t work. Redis, the widely used in-memory key-value database, appears to have figured this out. 

Also: OIN marks 20 years of defending Linux and open source from patent trolls

Last year, Redis dumped its three-clause Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) license and replaced it with the read-only Redis Source Available License (RSALv2) and Server Side Public License (SSPLv1). Now, Redis has officially returned to an open-source license, announcing that Redis 8 will be available under the open-source GNU Affero General Public License version 3 (AGPLv3). 

Last year’s change was intended to prevent large cloud providers from offering Redis as a managed service without contributing to the project, a challenge many open-source companies face in the cloud era. However, the move ticked off developers. The result was a fork, Valkey, backed by the Linux Foundation and major cloud vendors. Valkey has proven to be very popular. Indeed, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, Ericsson, and Oracle have all adopted Valkey. 

Also: Linus Torvalds built Git in 10 days – and never imagined it would last 20 years

Officially, Redis states that it is adding ASPLv3 because when founder Salvatore Sanfilippo returned to the company, he encouraged it to adopt the license to demonstrate “ongoing commitment to making a platform developers love.” Sanfillipo explained via his blog: “Many people, within the company, had the feeling that the AGPL was a better pick than SSPL.” 

In addition, he wrote: “I’ll be honest: I truly wanted the code I wrote for the new Vector Sets data type to be released under an open-source license. Writing open-source software is too rooted in me: I rarely wrote anything else in my career. I’m too old to start now.”

<!–>

The new AGPLv3 option, effective with the recently released Redis 8, represents a significant shift. AGPLv3 is an Open Source Initiative (OSI)-approved, copyleft license that requires any modifications or derivative works to be released under the same terms, and crucially, mandates that source code be made available to users who interact with the software over a network. 

This network clause is meant to close the so-called “Software as a Service (SaaS) loophole,” ensuring that cloud providers who offer Redis as a service must either open-source their changes or negotiate a commercial license with Redis Inc.

Also: This lightning-fast Linux distro will hook you the moment you try it

Redis CEO Rowan Trollope said: “There hasn’t been any movement towards really accepting SSPL as a valid open-source license. What we had hoped would happen is that people would see SSPL as a good license… It seems to us that they weren’t going to do that.” He’s got that right. The SSPL will never be seen as any good in open-source circles. 

While the return to an OSI-approved license has been welcomed by many, some critics argue that AGPLv3 is much too restrictive. Peter Zaitsev, co-founder of the open-source, enterprise consulting company Percona, said, “AGPL is like halfway: it’s probably the most restrictive, popular open-source license out there.” 

Vadim Tkachenko, Percona co-founder, added 

While the adoption of AGPL represents movement in the right direction, it’s important to recognize the practical limitations of this license choice. Many organizations maintain explicit policies against using AGPL-licensed software due to its restrictive terms on code reuse and distribution. The primary purpose of AGPL appears to be creating barriers for public cloud providers, which likely guarantees that major sponsors like Amazon and Google will continue to support Valkey. For Redis, this appears to be largely a marketing maneuver to appease their user base by claiming open-source credentials.

Amanda Brock, OpenUK CEO, is even more hostile to Redis: “When it comes to welcoming prodigal children back to the open-source community, we are becoming weary. Redis is one of the biggest culprits in undermining open source’s fundamental free flow of value, with repeated shifts away from open-source licensing. Now, they are apparently back, and we wonder how long for. Trust is hard to build and easy to lose. Redis’ actions have caused a lot of disruption, and the road back to open source is likely an economic one.”

Also: These 6 lightweight Linux apps let older PCs run blazing fast

Be that as it may, Redis leadership asserts that the AGPLv3 license strikes the right balance between protecting the company’s business interests and supporting the open-source community. We’ll see if developers and customers agree.  

Redis 8 also introduces significant performance improvements and new features. The company claims users will see up to an 87% reduction in latency with some commands. Redis 8 also now includes vector sets to support AI workloads.