At a glance
| Sources | 40+ platforms per JumpMind, including Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB and MongoDB |
| Targets | The same databases plus Snowflake, Kafka and cloud storage, per JumpMind |
| CDC mechanism | Triggers (Community); log-based and time-based capture (Standard and Enterprise) |
| Initial load | Initial load and reload of nodes; bulk loaders in Standard and Enterprise |
| Schema evolution | Not documented on the pages reviewed |
| Latency | Vendor states minimum sync intervals of 15 minutes (Community), 1 minute (Standard) and 1 second (Enterprise) |
| Conflict handling | Configurable conflict detection and resolution rules for bidirectional sync |
| Monitoring | OpenTelemetry metrics (Community, 3.18); web console, monitors and notifications in paid editions |
| Deployment | Java 21 application on premises, cloud VMs, containers, Kubernetes or mobile |
| Licensing | AGPL v3 Community; commercial Standard and Enterprise subscriptions by quote |
SymmetricDS suits teams that need bidirectional, multi-node replication across different database engines, including many remote or edge nodes over unreliable networks. The free Community edition is trigger-based with a 15-minute minimum sync interval per JumpMind's editions table, so production teams usually look at the paid editions for log-based capture, the web console and support.
Overview
SymmetricDS replicates database tables and synchronises files between nodes, in one direction or both. Changes are captured, routed to the nodes that should receive them, grouped into batches and pushed or pulled over HTTPS, with each destination confirming receipt. Routers can subset data per node or broadcast it, and bidirectional setups resolve conflicts with rules you configure. JumpMind says the software has been in production for nearly 20 years and supports 40+ database platforms on its editions page.
The Community edition is open source under the AGPL v3 and captures changes with database triggers. The commercial Standard edition adds log-based and time-based capture, a web console with monitors and notifications, clustering, bulk loaders and a 1-minute sync interval for up to 100 nodes; Enterprise adds 1-second intervals, more than 100 nodes, a Compare and Repair tool and 24/7 support. Version 3.18 requires Java 21 and adds a container mode with health endpoints and OpenTelemetry metrics.
Key features
- Bidirectional, multi-master replication across different database engines with configurable conflict resolution
- Trigger-based capture in Community; log-based and time-based capture in Standard and Enterprise
- Routers that filter, subset or broadcast data per node, with transforms during replication
- HTTPS push or pull of batches with acknowledgement, designed for WAN links and intermittent connections
- File synchronisation alongside database replication
- Container mode with liveness and readiness endpoints and OpenTelemetry metrics (3.18)
- Web console, monitors, notifications and Compare and Repair in the commercial editions
Integrations and ecosystem
Pros and cons
Pros
- True bidirectional and multi-node replication with conflict rules, not just one-way CDC
- Works across many different database engines, including embedded and edge databases
- Designed for WAN and intermittent links, with batch acknowledgement
- Free open source Community edition to evaluate the model
Cons
- Community edition is trigger-based, which adds write overhead on source tables
- Log-based capture, the web console and faster intervals require a paid subscription with no public prices
- The 2026 move from GPL v3 to AGPL v3 may need a fresh licence review for embedded or hosted use
- Java 21 is now required, which may affect older servers
Pricing
SymmetricDS Community is free under the AGPL v3. The commercial SymmetricDS Pro product is sold by JumpMind as Standard and Enterprise subscriptions; no prices are published on the editions page, so pricing is by quote. JumpMind's support subscription agreement sets prices on the customer order form and caps renewal increases at the greater of 5 percent or US CPI per year. A 30-day free trial of the Pro edition is offered.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Teams that need two-way or multi-site replication across mixed database engines, for example central servers syncing with many store, branch or edge databases.
Typical use cases
- Synchronising retail store or branch databases with a central database in both directions
- Replicating between different engines, for example Oracle to PostgreSQL, during a migration
- Offline-capable sync for mobile or edge devices that reconnect intermittently
- Feeding changes from operational databases to Snowflake or Kafka
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams that only need one-way log-based CDC into Kafka, where Debezium is a closer fit.
- MySQL-only estates that want binlog replication into analytics targets: compare Tungsten Replicator.
Verdict
SymmetricDS is one of the few tools built around bidirectional, multi-node replication across heterogeneous databases, and its free Community edition makes the model easy to try. For production, weigh the trigger-based capture and slower intervals of Community against the quote-only Standard and Enterprise subscriptions, and review the new AGPL terms.
Frequently asked questions
Is SymmetricDS open source?
Yes, the Community edition is open source. From 1 September 2026 it is licensed under the GNU AGPL v3, having previously been under the GNU GPL v3. The Standard and Enterprise editions (SymmetricDS Pro) are commercial.
What is the difference between SymmetricDS Community and SymmetricDS Pro?
JumpMind's editions page shows Community with trigger-based capture, a 15-minute sync interval and community support. The paid Standard edition adds log-based and time-based capture, a web console, clustering, bulk loaders and email support; Enterprise adds 1-second intervals, unlimited nodes beyond 100, Compare and Repair and 24/7 support.
How much does SymmetricDS Pro cost?
JumpMind does not publish prices. Standard and Enterprise are subscriptions priced on an order form, and a 30-day free trial is available.
Can SymmetricDS do bidirectional replication?
Yes. Bidirectional and multi-master sync is a core feature, with conflict detection and resolution rules that you define.
Sources
- SymmetricDS home page
- SymmetricDS editions
- SymmetricDS 3.18.0 released (news)
- SymmetricDS 3.18 release notes
- SymmetricDS source repository (JumpMind/symmetric-ds)
- JumpMind SymmetricDS production support subscription agreement
Checked November 2026.
Listed in: Change Data Capture & Replication.
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