At a glance
| Supported databases | 50+ for core migrations; advanced features on SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, MariaDB, Snowflake and Databricks |
| Migration approach | Versioned SQL migrations; state-based projects in paid editions |
| Schema diff and generation | Comparison-based script generation in Enterprise only |
| Rollback | Undo migrations and the undo command need a paid licence |
| CI/CD and automation | CLI, Docker image, Maven and Gradle plugins, Java API; drift detection and policy checks in Enterprise |
| Language or runtime | Java-based; migrations in SQL or Java |
| Licensing | Flyway OSS Apache 2.0; Community free with proprietary parts; Enterprise by quote |
Flyway suits teams that want schema changes to be plain, reviewable SQL files applied in the same order in every environment. The free editions cover versioned and repeatable migrations; undo, dry runs, drift detection and comparison-based script generation are documented as paid features, and Enterprise prices are by quote.
Overview
Flyway is a database migration tool owned by Redgate Software. A migration is usually a SQL file named with a version and description, such as V1__create_orders.sql; Flyway applies pending versions in order and records each one in a schema history table, so every environment receives the same changes in the same sequence. Repeatable migrations (R__ files) are re-applied when their checksum changes, which suits views and procedures, and Java-based migrations cover logic that SQL cannot express.
Redgate ships Flyway in three forms. Flyway OSS is built only from the open source code on GitHub, which is Apache 2.0 licensed. Flyway Community is free but, in Redgate's words, builds on the OSS codebase with proprietary additions and includes the Flyway Desktop GUI, so it is not itself a purely open source package. Flyway Enterprise adds Redgate's comparison engine, drift detection and governance features.
Key features
- Versioned, repeatable and baseline migrations tracked in a schema history table, with checksum validation of applied files
- Core commands (migrate, info, validate, repair, baseline) on more than 50 database systems
- Undo migrations, dry run scripts and cherry picking, documented as Teams and Enterprise features
- Drift detection, change reports and schema and data comparison in Enterprise, for databases with advanced capabilities
- Script generation (versioned, undo and baseline) from Redgate's comparison engine in Enterprise
- Command line for Windows, macOS and Linux, a Docker image, Maven and Gradle plugins and a Java API
- Code review with SQLFluff rules in all editions, and custom code analysis rules in Enterprise
Pros and cons
Pros
- Migrations are the exact SQL that runs, which keeps review simple
- Small set of concepts: versioned, repeatable and baseline migrations plus a history table
- Apache 2.0 open source engine available as Flyway OSS
- Core migrations on more than 50 databases
- Enterprise brings Redgate's comparison engine for script generation and drift detection
Cons
- No undo or dry run in Flyway Community or OSS
- Enterprise prices are not published
- SQL migrations are engine-specific, so several engines need several scripts
- Edition naming is inconsistent: the docs still describe Teams features while the editions page lists only Community and Enterprise
Pricing
Flyway OSS (built only from the Apache 2.0 source code) and Flyway Community are free. Flyway Enterprise is paid, with a 28-day free trial; Redgate's pricing page shows no list prices, so you need a quote. Redgate's current editions and pricing pages list only Community and Enterprise, although the documentation still marks some features as Teams edition.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Teams that think in SQL and want plain, versioned migration files applied in order across environments, optionally with Redgate's paid comparison and drift features.
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams that need rollback commands without a commercial licence: see Flyway vs Liquibase.
- Python projects whose tables live in SQLAlchemy models, where Alembic can draft migrations: see Flyway vs Alembic.
Verdict
Flyway is the simpler of the established migration tools: numbered SQL files, a history table and a free, widely supported engine. Budget for Enterprise if you need undo, dry runs, drift detection or generated scripts, and be aware that Community includes proprietary components if open source licensing matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Flyway Community open source?
Not entirely. Redgate's documentation says Flyway OSS is generated directly from the open source code with no proprietary functionality, while Flyway Community builds on that code with proprietary additions. The open source code on GitHub is Apache 2.0 licensed.
Does Flyway support rollback for free?
No. Rollback uses undo migrations and the undo command, which Redgate's feature summary lists for Teams and Enterprise, not Community. In the free editions you roll back with a new forward migration or a restore.
Is Flyway Teams still sold?
Redgate's editions and pricing pages list only Flyway Community and Flyway Enterprise. The documentation still labels some features, such as undo and dry run, as Teams features.
Sources
- Redgate: Flyway editions
- Redgate: Flyway pricing
- Flyway: Feature summary by edition
- Flyway: OSS and Redgate Flyway Community
- Flyway Engine release notes
- Flyway repository and licence (GitHub)
Checked November 2026.
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