ebean
Ebean is a Java/Kotlin ORM that bridges the gap between high-level object mapping and SQL control, offering built-in database migrations, multi-database support, and query optimization. It targets teams needing both abstraction and performance without sacrificing SQL visibility.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | ebean-orm/ebean |
| Owner | ebean-orm |
| Primary language | Java |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.5k |
| Forks | 265 |
| Open issues | 50 |
| Latest release | 18.2.0 (2026-07-03) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-07 |
| Source | https://github.com/ebean-orm/ebean |
What ebean is
Ebean provides type-safe ORM queries, automated N+1 prevention, L2/L3 caching, query profiling with auto-tuning, DTO queries, and native GraalVM support. It generates hand-crafted SQL patterns, supports 10+ database platforms via JDBC, and includes integrated migration tooling with Docker test containers.
Get the ebean source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/ebean-orm/ebean.gitcd ebean# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Requires JDK 11+ and Maven; compile-time enhancement via ebean-agent must be configured in build pipeline.
- Query beans are generated or hand-coded; IDE integration (IntelliJ IDEA preferred per README) is important for developer productivity.
- Database migrations are built-in but require schema design upfront; test containers need Docker runtime for local development.
- L2 caching and auto-tuning are opt-in; teams must understand cache coherency and profiling to avoid stale data or over-caching.
- Type-safe queries reduce SQL errors but add a layer of abstraction; fallback to raw SQL queries possible but requires context switching.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Your team requires zero learning curve or minimal ORM knowledge — Ebean's query abstraction levels, query beans syntax, and migration model differ from JPA/Hibernate; teams expecting drop-in JPA compatibility will face rework.
- You need extensive third-party ecosystem integrations out-of-the-box — No clear evidence of integrations with Spring Data, Quarkus, Micronaut, or other frameworks beyond framework-agnostic JDBC. Custom integration likely required.
- You are building a NoSQL-first or polyglot persistence application — Ebean is relational-database-focused with no mention of NoSQL support, Elasticsearch integration beyond caching, or multi-store patterns.
- Runtime schema generation or dynamic entity discovery is required — Ebean uses compile-time enhancement and type-safe query beans; dynamic schema or annotation-driven runtime entity loading is not clearly supported.
License & commercial use
Ebean is licensed under Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0), a permissive OSI-approved license.
Apache-2.0 permits commercial use, modification, and distribution with no royalties or permission requirement. No proprietary restrictions noted. Standard Apache-2.0 obligations apply: include license notice, state material changes, and note modifications. No warranty provided.
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 | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Ebean is a JDBC abstraction library; security depends on correct parameterized query usage (type-safe queries reduce SQL injection risk). No CVE or security audit information provided. Custom SQL queries require manual parameter binding. Data access control, encryption, and audit logging are application-level concerns. Dependency vulnerabilities depend on Maven resolution; supply chain review recommended before production use.
Alternatives to consider
Hibernate ORM
JPA standard with broad ecosystem support, larger community, and Spring integration; but heavier, less SQL visibility, and steeper learning curve for query tuning.
jOOQ
Type-safe, hand-crafted SQL-first DSL with excellent code generation; strong for SQL control but requires more boilerplate and is licensed (commercial tiers available).
Spring Data JPA
Thin abstraction over Hibernate with repository pattern, seamless Spring integration, and reduced boilerplate; but less ORM control and query optimization features.
Build on ebean with DEV.co software developers
Ebean balances ORM abstraction with SQL visibility and multi-database portability. Review the official docs at ebean.io, assess query bean syntax fit, test Docker containers in your local environment, and confirm framework integration requirements before committing.
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ebean FAQ
Does Ebean support JPA annotations and Spring Data repositories?
What is the performance overhead of Ebean's L2 cache and auto-tuning?
How does Ebean handle distributed transactions or cross-database consistency?
Is Ebean suitable for microservices or serverless applications?
Software developers & web developers for hire
DEV.co helps companies turn open-source tools like ebean into production software. Our software development services cover the full lifecycle — architecture, web development, integration, and maintenance — delivered by software developers and web developers who ship. Engage our software development agency to implement or customize it for your open-source databases stack.
Evaluate Ebean for Your Java/Kotlin Backend
Ebean balances ORM abstraction with SQL visibility and multi-database portability. Review the official docs at ebean.io, assess query bean syntax fit, test Docker containers in your local environment, and confirm framework integration requirements before committing.