Addax
Addax is an open-source ETL tool written in Java that moves data between 20+ SQL and NoSQL databases, Excel, and cloud storage. It evolved from Alibaba's DataX and uses JSON-based job configurations for easy integration.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | wgzhao/Addax |
| Owner | wgzhao |
| Primary language | Java |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.4k |
| Forks | 337 |
| Open issues | 11 |
| Latest release | 6.0.11 (2026-05-17) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-08 |
| Source | https://github.com/wgzhao/Addax |
What Addax is
Java-based pluggable ETL framework supporting RDBMS (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server), NoSQL (MongoDB, HBase, Redis), OLAP (ClickHouse, Doris), message queues (Kafka), and file formats (S3, MinIO, HDFS). JDK 17 required; distributes as compiled binary or Docker image.
Get the Addax source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/wgzhao/Addax.gitcd Addax# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- JDK 17 is mandatory; verify Java version management and deployment environment support before adoption.
- Job definitions are JSON; use version control and templating tools (Jinja, Helm) to manage multiple environments.
- Plugin-based architecture; customizing unsupported connectors requires Java coding and recompilation.
- Docker images available but production deployment (HA, monitoring, resource limits) requires orchestration planning (Kubernetes, Docker Compose).
- Parallel task execution is configurable; monitor memory and CPU to avoid resource contention in multi-job setups.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Sub-second streaming latency required — Addax is batch/scheduled ETL, not real-time streaming. For continuous event pipelines, consider Kafka Connect or Flink.
- Complex multi-step transformations needed — Addax focuses on data movement; advanced transformations require external orchestration (dbt, Spark jobs) or pipeline frameworks.
- Proprietary or obscure database support critical — While 20+ sources are supported, custom connectors require Java development. Verify your specific data source is listed before evaluation.
- Strict compliance/audit trail required but not available — Data governance and audit logging capabilities are not detailed in the README; requires code review or vendor documentation.
License & commercial use
Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0). A permissive OSI-approved license permitting commercial use, modification, and distribution under the same license with explicit patent and indemnity protections.
Apache-2.0 permits commercial use in closed-source and proprietary applications without royalties. Distribution of modifications must include the license and attribution. No warranty or liability from the maintainer. Consult your legal team for any proprietary modifications before deployment at scale.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Job configurations embed database credentials in JSON; ensure encrypted storage and access controls. JDK 17 and plugin dependencies carry inherited security risk; keep Java and transitive libraries patched. No details provided on input validation, SQL injection prevention, or secure credential handling; code review recommended before processing sensitive data.
Alternatives to consider
Apache Airflow + custom operators or Dbt
Offers finer control over transformation logic, DAG orchestration, and observability; steeper learning curve and more operational overhead for simple data movement.
Kafka Connect
Purpose-built for scalable, real-time data integration with streaming semantics; requires Kafka infrastructure and is less suitable for one-time or infrequent batch loads.
Fivetran or Stitch (SaaS)
Fully managed, no infrastructure required, built-in observability; higher cost and less customization than open-source solutions.
Build on Addax with DEV.co software developers
Our DevOps and cloud deployment specialists can help you architect resilient pipelines, containerize jobs, and integrate Addax into your data stack.
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Addax FAQ
Can Addax run on Windows?
How do I add support for a new database?
Does Addax support incremental or CDC (Change Data Capture)?
Is there a web UI or REST API?
Software development & web development with DEV.co
From first prototype to production, DEV.co delivers software development services around tools like Addax. Our software development agency staffs experienced software developers and web developers for custom software development, web development, integrations, and ongoing support across open-source databases and beyond.
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Our DevOps and cloud deployment specialists can help you architect resilient pipelines, containerize jobs, and integrate Addax into your data stack.