Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

etcd

etcd.io

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit etcd.io
Spec score 8.0 #7 of 31 in Key-Value Databases

What it is

etcd is an open-source, strongly consistent distributed key-value store for data used by distributed systems and clusters of machines. It arranges values in hierarchical directories and lets clients watch keys or directories for changes. Clients can read and write values with standard HTTP tools such as curl, and keys may have optional time-to-live expiration. The project uses the Raft protocol and handles leader elections during network partitions, including when a leader machine fails. etcd is a core Kubernetes component and its primary datastore. The project provides pre-built binaries, source builds, and container images. Linux on AMD64 and ARM64 is tier 1; Darwin and Windows on either architecture are tier 3, and other platforms are unsupported. TLS and client-certificate authentication are supported for client and peer connections, but neither is enabled by default. The software is self-hosted and licensed under Apache 2.0, with a listed price of free. The integrations listing includes Kubernetes, CoreDNS, and language client libraries, while warning that third-party tools and libraries there are not tested or maintained by the etcd team.

Spec sheet

Purpose
etcd is a strongly consistent, distributed key-value store for data accessed by distributed systems or clusters of machines.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Integrations
The integrations listing includes Kubernetes, CoreDNS, and client libraries for multiple languages; it cautions that third-party tools and libraries listed there are not tested or maintained by the etcd team.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Security
etcd supports TLS and client-certificate authentication for client-to-server and peer communication, but these security features are not enabled by default.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
License
The etcd source repository identifies the software as licensed under Apache 2.0.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Consensus
The project says etcd is distributed using the Raft protocol.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Expiry
Keys can be configured with optional time-to-live expiration.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Fault tolerance
It handles leader elections during network partitions and can tolerate machine failure, including failure of the leader node.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Installation
The project provides pre-built binaries, source builds, and container images; its install guide warns that OS package manager installations may be outdated and are not officially supported.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Interface
Values can be read and written using standard HTTP tools such as curl.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Key-value storage
It stores data in hierarchically organized directories and lets clients watch keys or directories for changes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Kubernetes
etcd is a core Kubernetes component and the primary datastore for Kubernetes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Performance
The project states etcd is benchmarked at thousands of writes per second per instance.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Support policy
The project typically maintains only its latest two minor versions; its 2025 release announcement said those were v3.5 and v3.6 at that time.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io
Supported platforms
The current platform table lists Linux on AMD64 and ARM64 as tier 1; Darwin and Windows on AMD64 or ARM64 are tier 3, and unlisted platforms are unsupported.Read 4 Oct 2026 · etcd.io

Plans and prices

Open-source etcd Free Apache 2.0 licensed · self-hosted software Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every etcd plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Strong consistency with Raft distribution
  • Optional key expiration and change watches
  • Tolerates leader and other machine failures
  • Apache 2.0 license; free

Limits

  • TLS and client-certificate authentication are off by default
  • Only Linux AMD64 and ARM64 are tier 1
  • Third-party listed integrations are not maintained by the team

Who it suits

etcd suits teams that need a self-hosted key-value store for distributed systems or Kubernetes. It is also relevant to developers who need clients to watch changing keys or directories.

Verdict

etcd provides distributed storage and change watching, with Kubernetes as a central use case. Teams should account for its self-hosted deployment and enable supported security features when needed.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to etcdAll alternatives →