Redis Returns to Open Source with AGPLv3 License in Redis 8 Release

Redis is back to its open-source roots. Five months ago, I rejoined Redis and immediately engaged with my colleagues to advocate for a switch from the current license to the Affero General Public License (AGPL). It turned out that this conversation was already well underway, having been a long-standing topic within the company. Despite the initial move to the Server Side Public License (SSPL), many believed the AGPL was a better fit. The SSPL had not gained acceptance from the open-source community—neither the Open Source Initiative (OSI) nor the broader software community recognized it as an open-source license. I aimed to bolster the support for the AGPL. My experience showed that the SSPL's failure to gain traction was apparent, and this perspective gradually gained momentum within the company at every level of the hierarchy. To be candid, I deeply desired for my contributions to the new Vector Sets data type to be released under an open-source license. Writing open-source software is a fundamental part of my identity; it’s what I’ve done throughout most of my career. Returning to an open-source license felt like coming home. This might sound childish, but the excitement of knowing Redis would once again be open source motivated me to put in extra effort on the Vector Sets feature. Our primary mission remains to enhance Redis, making it a robust, simple, and adaptable system that evolves with the changing requirements of the software ecosystem. However, aligning with an open-source license is crucial for this mission. It ensures our work resonates with the Redis community, fosters broader collaboration, and contributes to a collective effort greater than any individual company. While I cannot claim full credit for the license change, I am hopeful that my advocacy played a part, and I am genuinely thrilled about the outcome. Today, Redis is officially open-source again, released under the AGPLv3 license. This transition marks a significant milestone for the project and its user base. For me, it means returning to the terminal to write the best possible code and further refine Vector Sets to make it more useful and practical. I have several ideas for improvements, and I’m eager to see how user feedback will inspire even more enhancements. Alongside this change, Redis 8 has reached general availability (GA). This major release comes with a host of new features and core performance improvements. For detailed information, you can visit the official Redis blog: Redis 8 GA. Additionally, the Redis CEO has shared a blog post detailing the reasons behind the switch to the AGPLv3 license: CEO's Blog Post. Good hacking!