Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Percona XtraDB Cluster

percona.com

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
Visit percona.com
Spec score 7.5 #14 of 32 in Database Replication Software

What it is

Percona XtraDB Cluster is free, open-source software for clustering MySQL databases, designed for high availability, reduced downtime and data-loss prevention, and linear scalability. Synchronous replication writes data to all nodes together; if a node fails, the write does not commit. Any node can initiate an update, and newly added nodes synchronize automatically. PXC 8.4 is compatible with MySQL Server Community Edition 8.4 and Percona Server for MySQL 8.4. Documentation says applications need no changes or only minimal changes. The proxysql-admin tool configures cluster nodes through ProxySQL, while a setting enables automatic SSL encryption for cluster traffic. Strict Mode avoids tech-preview and unsupported features. Install instructions cover Debian or Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, binary tarballs, source, Docker, and Docker Compose. A Kubernetes Operator automates deployment and management of highly available clusters. The software costs nothing; paid support and services are separate.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Percona XtraDB Cluster is a MySQL database clustering solution designed for high availability, downtime and data-loss prevention, and linear scalability.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com
Support
Percona offers production-grade MySQL support, operations, and consulting services.Read 4 Oct 2026 · percona.com
Founded
2012Read 28 Sep 2026 · percona.com
Application changes
Applications using the cluster require no changes or minimal changes, according to the product documentation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com
Compatibility
PXC 8.4 is fully compatible with MySQL Server Community Edition 8.4 and Percona Server for MySQL 8.4.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com
Deployment options
The documentation provides installation instructions for Debian or Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, binary tarballs, source, Docker, and Docker Compose.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com
Encryption
The pxc-encrypt-cluster-traffic variable enables automatic SSL encryption configuration for cluster traffic.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com
Kubernetes
Percona offers a Kubernetes Operator for running highly available MySQL clusters based on XtraDB Cluster with automated deployment and management.Read 4 Oct 2026 · percona.com
Maker history
Percona says it was started in 2006 and launched Percona XtraDB Cluster in 2012.Read 4 Oct 2026 · percona.com
Multi-source
Any node in the cluster can trigger a data update.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com
Pricing
Percona says its software downloads are free and open source.Read 4 Oct 2026 · percona.com
Provisioning
New nodes automatically synchronize when added to the cluster.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com
ProxySQL
The included proxysql-admin tool automatically configures cluster nodes using ProxySQL.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com
Replication
Synchronous replication writes data to all nodes simultaneously or does not commit the write if a node fails.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com
Strict mode
PXC Strict Mode avoids tech-preview and unsupported features.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.percona.com

Plans and prices

Percona XtraDB Cluster Free Open-source database clustering software; paid support and services are offered separately Read 4 Oct 2026 · percona.com

Every Percona XtraDB Cluster plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free open-source software
  • Synchronous replication across nodes
  • Automatic synchronization for new nodes
  • Kubernetes Operator available
  • Cross-region replication supported

Limits

  • Paid support and consulting are separate
  • Focused on MySQL-compatible databases
  • Self-hosted Linux deployment required
  • Strict Mode excludes unsupported features

Who it suits

It suits teams running MySQL or Percona Server for MySQL on Linux or self-hosted infrastructure. Operators needing synchronous, multi-way replication and Kubernetes deployment can evaluate its listed tooling.

Verdict

Percona XtraDB Cluster provides synchronous, multi-way MySQL clustering with several deployment paths and automation tools. Its free software license does not include the separately offered production support and services.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Percona XtraDB ClusterAll alternatives →