Open source database report highlights AI, cloud & licensing

Percona has released its inaugural State of Open Source Database Management Report, providing new insight into trends shaping enterprise data infrastructure and management.

The report is based on input from Percona leaders and customer experts from various industries. It addresses the growing influence of open source databases, the challenges brought on by changing licensing models, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-native computing, and the increasing complexity of managing multi-database environments in businesses.

Industry context

Bennie Grant, Chief Operating Officer at Percona, commented on the dynamic state of database management and the motivations behind the report.

"This is an incredibly dynamic and exciting time in the database world. But with that flux often comes confusion. With this inaugural report, Percona and its partners hope to bring some much-needed clarity to the database management space, and give business decision makers the information and insights they need to successfully navigate the months and years ahead."

The 2025 State of Open Source Database Management report was co-authored by Percona professionals and customer experts representing organisations such as Ryanair and Choice Home Warranty. It identifies four main areas of focus: the proliferation of polyglot (multi-engine) database environments, the necessity for unified management strategies, the growing use of AI and cloud-native solutions, and ongoing changes in open source software licensing.

Key findings

A recent Percona survey cited within the report found that 78% of technical professionals consider PostgreSQL important to their organisations' current or planned AI and machine learning initiatives, with 25% stating it is "mission critical" to those activities. This points to a broader trend in which open source databases, and PostgreSQL in particular, are increasingly integral to enterprise AI strategies.

The report also addresses concerns over the rising costs associated with Software as a Service (SaaS). SaaS expenses, according to the report, are growing at nearly five times the rate of standard inflation. Additionally, recent licensing revisions by open source vendors, including companies such as Redis and Elastic, are fostering uncertainty within the industry. Experts contributing to the report recommend that organisations choose established, community-driven open source solutions-such as PostgreSQL and MySQL-to manage total cost of ownership, reduce dependency on vendors, and support long-term operational resilience.

Technology and management trends

Cloud-native database deployments are highlighted as an area set for further growth, with open source technologies like Kubernetes playing a major role in enhancing scalability, performance, and resilience of database infrastructures.

Another primary focus of the report is the increasing number of database management systems used within individual organisations. As data environments become more diverse, the report emphasises the importance of unified, platform-based approaches for managing multiple database technologies in order to support operational efficiency and foster innovation.

Licensing and strategic recommendations

Licensing changes in the open source ecosystem are identified as a significant variable for decision makers. The report suggests that shifting from vendor-controlled to community-directed projects can help organisations avoid unexpected changes or restrictions.

Liz Warner, Chief Technology Officer at Percona, offered guidance on how businesses can adapt to these changing circumstances.

"With the rise of cloud-native computing, AI, and ever-expanding data footprints, the field of database management has become more important for business success than ever before. To stay competitive amidst these seismic shifts, businesses should take an open source-first approach that stresses integration and unification of polyglot database environments. By relying on proven, community-led solutions like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Valkey, businesses gain a degree of freedom, flexibility, and interoperability that will be absolutely critical for remaining future-proofed and agile in this ever-evolving space."

The document provides readers with practical recommendations around database infrastructure choices, offering executive-level advice and licensing guidance relevant to rapidly changing technology landscapes.

As open source technologies and industry practices evolve, the insights detailed in the report reflect a wider conversation within the technology sector about balancing flexibility, control, and stability amid growing enterprise demands for data-driven innovation.