At a glance
| Sources | Oracle AI Database, Db2 (i, z/OS, LUW), SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Sybase, Teradata, YugabyteDB, EDB, HPE NonStop and cloud variants (see certification matrix) |
| Targets | The same databases, plus Kafka, NoSQL, object storage, Hadoop, Snowflake and BigQuery via GoldenGate DAA |
| CDC mechanism | Reads database transaction logs; only committed transactions are moved |
| Initial load | Yes, online initial load without taking systems offline |
| Schema evolution | Captures DDL as well as DML (DDL support depends on the database) |
| Latency | Vendor states real-time replication; no figures used here |
| Conflict handling | Automatic CDR for Oracle-to-Oracle; manual CDR rules for other databases |
| Monitoring | Microservices web consoles and REST APIs; OCI console metrics for the managed service |
| Deployment | Self-managed (OS list in the certification matrix), Docker image for GoldenGate Free, OCI GoldenGate managed service |
| Licensing | Commercial Oracle licence; OCI by OCPU, license included or BYOL; GoldenGate Free limited to 20 GB Oracle databases |
Oracle GoldenGate is the reference choice when Oracle Database is at the centre of your estate and you need active-active replication with conflict resolution, low-downtime upgrades or heterogeneous real-time feeds. It is powerful but complex and costly to license, so weigh it against lighter CDC tools if you only need one-way feeds into analytics.
Overview
Oracle GoldenGate reads database transaction logs and moves committed changes, both DML and DDL, to other databases and platforms in real time. An Extract process captures changes into trail files and a Replicat process applies them on the target; since GoldenGate 23ai the product is a REST-based Microservices Architecture only, and Classic Architecture deployments must be migrated with Oracle's migration utility. Topologies range from one-way feeds to peer-to-peer, depending on the database.
Oracle's 26ai documentation lists Oracle AI Database plus Db2 (i, z/OS, LUW), MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Sybase, TimesTen, Teradata, YugabyteDB, EDB Postgres Advanced Server and HPE NonStop, cloud services such as Aurora, RDS, Azure SQL, Cloud SQL and AlloyDB, and non-relational targets including Kafka, object storage, Snowflake and BigQuery through GoldenGate for Distributed Applications and Analytics (DAA). OCI GoldenGate became available on 26ai for Oracle Database on 13 February 2026. The certification matrix is the authoritative list of versions.
Key features
- Log-based capture of committed DML and DDL with Extract, trail files and Replicat
- Topologies from unidirectional to peer-to-peer, including active-active for Oracle databases
- Automatic Conflict Detection and Resolution for Oracle-to-Oracle tables (latest timestamp, earliest timestamp, delta, site priority, delete always wins), with manual RESOLVECONFLICT rules for other databases
- Initial load without taking the source offline, for zero-downtime migrations and upgrades
- Microservices Architecture with REST APIs and web consoles for administration
- GoldenGate for Distributed Applications and Analytics (DAA) for Kafka, object storage, lakehouse and warehouse targets, including an Iceberg handler
- Managed OCI GoldenGate with OCPU auto scaling, plus Stream Analytics and Data Transforms deployment types
Integrations and ecosystem
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deepest documented integration with Oracle Database, including active-active with automatic conflict resolution
- Broad heterogeneous coverage, from Db2 for z/OS and HPE NonStop to Kafka and Snowflake
- Managed OCI service with auto scaling and BYOL for existing licences
- Free edition for small Oracle databases and learning
Cons
- List prices are not readable on official pages without a browser, and licensing is complex
- Steep learning curve: Extract, Replicat, trails and parameter files need specialist skills
- Classic Architecture users must migrate to Microservices to move to 23ai or 26ai
- GoldenGate Free has no Oracle Support, a 20 GB limit and cannot be mixed with licensed GoldenGate
Pricing
Self-managed Oracle GoldenGate is licensed through Oracle's technology price list, which we could not read (oracle.com blocks automated fetches), so contact Oracle for terms. OCI GoldenGate, the managed service, is sized in OCPUs (one OCPU equals 16 GB of memory, per the docs), with a choice of License included or Bring your own license (BYOL) when you create a deployment; auto scaling can raise usage up to three times the base OCPU count, to a maximum of 24 OCPUs. Per-OCPU rates are on Oracle's cloud price list and were not verified. Oracle GoldenGate Free is a no-cost Docker image limited to Oracle databases of 20 GB or less, with no Oracle Support.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Oracle-centred enterprises that need real-time, high-availability replication, zero-downtime migrations or active-active configurations across Oracle and other databases.
Typical use cases
- Active-active Oracle databases across regions with automatic conflict resolution
- Zero-downtime Oracle upgrades and platform migrations
- Streaming Oracle or SQL Server changes into Kafka, object storage or Snowflake
- Offloading reporting to a replica database kept in sync in real time
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams that want open source, Kafka-based CDC without Oracle licensing: see Debezium.
- Simple one-off migrations into AWS: see AWS DMS.
Verdict
Oracle GoldenGate remains the most complete option for Oracle-centred replication, with documented active-active conflict resolution and wide heterogeneous coverage, now on the 26ai Microservices-only line. Its cost and operational complexity are real, so it pays off most for high-availability and migration work rather than simple one-way analytics feeds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current Oracle GoldenGate version?
Oracle GoldenGate 26ai, which uses 23.26.x version numbers; release 23.26.4 shipped in October 2026. It succeeded the GoldenGate 23ai releases (23.4 to 23.10).
Does GoldenGate still support Classic Architecture?
No. Classic Architecture was desupported in GoldenGate 23ai, which ships for the Microservices Architecture only. Oracle documents a migration utility that moves Extracts and Replicats from Classic to Microservices deployments.
How is OCI GoldenGate priced?
Deployments are sized in OCPUs (16 GB of memory each) with auto scaling up to three times the base, capped at 24 OCPUs, and you choose License included or BYOL. Oracle's per-OCPU rates are on its cloud price list, which we could not verify, so check it or ask Oracle.
Is there a free version of GoldenGate?
Yes. Oracle GoldenGate Free runs as a Docker image for Oracle databases of up to 20 GB (all PDBs combined for a CDB). It has no Oracle Support and cannot be combined with licensed GoldenGate or other integration tools.
Sources
- About Oracle GoldenGate (26ai documentation)
- Oracle GoldenGate 26ai release notes
- Automatic Conflict Detection and Resolution (26ai)
- Migrate from Classic to Microservices Architecture
- OCI GoldenGate: create data replication resources
- OCI release note: GoldenGate 26ai for Oracle Database
- Oracle GoldenGate Free FAQ
Checked November 2026.
Listed in: Change Data Capture & Replication.
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