Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Maxwell's Daemon

maxwells-daemon.io

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
Visit maxwells-daemon.io
Spec score 7.4 #14 of 23 in Change Data Capture Software

What it is

Maxwell's Daemon is a free, open-source, self-hosted Linux tool for moving MySQL changes into streaming systems. It reads MySQL binary logs and emits database changes as JSON for Kafka, Kinesis, SQS, SNS, NATS, Google Cloud Pub/Sub, BigQuery, RabbitMQ, Redis, and other destinations. Listed uses include ETL, database change auditing, cache building or expiration, search indexing, and communication between services. Filtering can select databases, tables, and column values, while JavaScript filters handle custom row filtering and data changes. When encryption is enabled, messages use AES/CBC/PKCS5PADDING with a user-provided key and base64-encoded values. Metrics can be exposed through logging, JMX, HTTP, or Datadog; HTTP endpoints cover metrics, Prometheus, health checks, ping, and diagnostics. Maxwell supports schema evolution and an initial snapshot. Deployment options include command line, Docker, binary distribution, and Homebrew. Requirements include JRE 11 or later, supported MySQL versions from 5.1 through 8, and Kafka 0.8.2 or later when Kafka is used.

Spec sheet

What it does
Maxwell reads MySQL binlogs and writes database changes as JSON to Kafka, Kinesis, and other streaming platforms.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
Deployment
The quick start documents running Maxwell from the command line or Docker and provides a binary distribution and Homebrew installation command.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
Encryption
When enabled, Maxwell encrypts messages with AES/CBC/PKCS5PADDING using a user-provided key, then base64-encodes values.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
Filtering
Maxwell can filter by database, table, and column values, and supports JavaScript filters for custom row filtering and data changes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
High availability
The documentation describes client-side high availability as experimental and alpha quality, and says at least three Maxwell nodes are needed for leader elections.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
Monitoring
Metrics can be exposed through logging, JMX, HTTP, or Datadog, and HTTP endpoints include metrics, Prometheus, health check, ping, and diagnostics.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
Notable limitation
With binlog_row_image=MINIMAL, UPDATE and DELETE output may be incomplete, and INSERT output omits column default values.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
Output integrations
Documented producers include Kafka, Kinesis, SQS, SNS, NATS, Google Cloud Pub/Sub, BigQuery, RabbitMQ, and Redis.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
Requirements
The compatibility page lists JRE 11 or above, MySQL 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, or 8, and Kafka 0.8.2 or greater when using Kafka.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
Support and source
The quick start directs users to GitHub for source code and bug tracking.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io
Use cases
The site lists ETL, database change auditing, cache building or expiring, search indexing, and inter-service communication as use cases.Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io

Plans and prices

Free Free No paid plans or usage limits stated on the opened pages Read 3 Oct 2026 · maxwells-daemon.io

Every Maxwell's Daemon plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source
  • Many documented streaming destinations
  • Database, table, and column filtering
  • Metrics via logging, JMX, HTTP, or Datadog
  • Supports schema evolution and initial snapshots

Limits

  • MINIMAL row images may make updates incomplete
  • MINIMAL inserts omit column defaults
  • High availability is experimental alpha quality
  • Leader elections require at least three nodes

Who it suits

It suits teams that need self-hosted, log-based MySQL change capture for streaming, auditing, caches, search, or service communication. Linux operators with compatible JRE and MySQL versions can deploy it directly or through Docker.

Verdict

Maxwell's Daemon provides broad MySQL binlog routing, filtering, monitoring, and deployment options without a listed license charge. Check the MINIMAL row-image caveat and the experimental high-availability requirements before adopting those configurations.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Maxwell's DaemonAll alternatives →