Oracle GoldenGate is not just for Oracle-to-Oracle replication. It is widely used to integrate heterogeneous systems. This guide explains how to licence GoldenGate in non-Oracle database environments and for big data targets, covering the additional modules (SQL Server, DB2, MySQL, Hadoop, Kafka), their costs, and how to ensure compliance when replicating across diverse platforms.
This guide is part of our GoldenGate licensing coverage. See also: GoldenGate in Cloud & Hybrid Environments | GoldenGate Licensing Overview | GoldenGate Negotiation Strategies
Oracle offers different GoldenGate licence types depending on the source and target systems. Each is a separate product. Owning one does not entitle you to use the others.
| GoldenGate Module | What It Covers | List Price (Per Processor) | When Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle GoldenGate (Base) | Oracle-to-Oracle database replication. Capture, transport, and apply between Oracle databases. | ~$17,500 | Any configuration involving an Oracle database as source or target. |
| GoldenGate for Non-Oracle Database | Extends GoldenGate to non-Oracle platforms. SQL Server, DB2, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and others. | ~$17,500 | Any configuration where a non-Oracle database participates (either side). |
| GoldenGate for Big Data | Streams data into big data systems and messaging platforms. Hadoop HDFS, Kafka, NoSQL, Cassandra. | ~$20,000 | Any configuration where the target is a big data or streaming platform. |
| GoldenGate for Mainframe | Replicates with mainframe databases. IBM DB2 on z/OS, VSAM, IMS. | ~$100,000 | Any configuration where a mainframe environment is source or target. |
If your GoldenGate configuration involves an Oracle database on one side and SQL Server on the other, you need both the base GoldenGate licence (for the Oracle side) and the GoldenGate for Non-Oracle Database licence (for the SQL Server side). The same applies to big data and mainframe modules. Each environment GoldenGate interacts with must be covered by the appropriate module licence. A standard Oracle GoldenGate licence covers only Oracle-to-Oracle replication. It does not entitle you to use the Non-Oracle, Big Data, or Mainframe modules.
Licences are required for every server where GoldenGate capture or apply processes run. Here are common replication scenarios and their requirements.
| Replication Scenario | Source Licence Required | Target Licence Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle DB to Oracle DB | GoldenGate (Base) | GoldenGate (Base) | Standard Oracle-to-Oracle. One licence per server running GG processes. |
| Oracle DB to SQL Server | GoldenGate (Base) | GoldenGate for Non-Oracle Database | Heterogeneous. Both sides must be independently licensed. |
| MySQL to SQL Server | GoldenGate for Non-Oracle Database | GoldenGate for Non-Oracle Database | No Oracle DB involved. Base licence not required. Non-Oracle on both nodes. |
| Oracle DB to Kafka | GoldenGate (Base) | GoldenGate for Big Data | Big data streaming. Base for Oracle source, Big Data for Kafka target. |
| Oracle DB to Hadoop HDFS | GoldenGate (Base) | GoldenGate for Big Data | Big Data module covers HDFS, Cassandra, and other adapters. |
| Oracle DB to IBM Mainframe (DB2 z/OS) | GoldenGate (Base) | GoldenGate for Mainframe | Mainframe module at ~$100K/processor on the mainframe side. |
| SQL Server to Kafka | GoldenGate for Non-Oracle Database | GoldenGate for Big Data | Non-Oracle source + Big Data target. No base licence needed. |
The Big Data module covers multiple targets. The GoldenGate for Big Data licence covers use of all its adapters on a single licensed server. You can stream to Kafka, HDFS, Cassandra, and other targets simultaneously from one licensed server without needing separate licences for each big data target type.
| Consideration | Details | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Per-Processor pricing | Base and Non-Oracle: ~$17,500/processor. Big Data: ~$20,000/processor. Mainframe: ~$100,000/processor. | Count all processors where GG processes run. Source and target servers separately. |
| Annual support fees | ~22% of licence value per year on each GoldenGate product. Support is per-module, not consolidated. | Budget ongoing support on every module. Costs compound across multiple products. |
| Non-production environments | No free or discounted GoldenGate licences for dev, test, QA, or DR. If GoldenGate runs there, it must be licensed. | Either licence non-production environments or restrict GG to production-only deployment. |
| Audit risk: missing modules | Oracle auditors commonly find gaps when GG is used for non-Oracle targets without the corresponding module licence. | Proactively licence all modules. Far cheaper than back-licensing + retrospective support during audit. |
| Named User Plus (NUP) option | Oracle lists NUP licensing (25-user minimum per processor) but it is rarely used. GG is infrastructure-level. | NUP may apply only in very small/specialised deployments. Processor licensing is the standard metric. |
Using GoldenGate to replicate from Oracle to MySQL (or any non-Oracle target) without the Non-Oracle Database module licence violates Oracle's terms. In an audit, Oracle demands the missing licences plus back-support for the entire period of unlicensed use. On a 4-processor source server replicating to a 4-processor target, that is $140,000 in licence fees ($17,500 x 4 for each missing module) plus cumulative support arrears at 22% per year. Licence correctly upfront.
| Scenario | Modules Required | Licence Cost (List) | Annual Support (22%) | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle (4 proc) to Oracle (4 proc) | Base x 8 processors | $140,000 | $30,800/year | $232,400 |
| Oracle (4 proc) to SQL Server (4 proc) | Base x 4 + Non-Oracle x 4 | $140,000 | $30,800/year | $232,400 |
| Oracle (8 proc) to Kafka (4 proc) | Base x 8 + Big Data x 4 | $220,000 | $48,400/year | $365,200 |
| Oracle (4 proc) to IBM Mainframe (2 proc) | Base x 4 + Mainframe x 2 | $270,000 | $59,400/year | $448,200 |
| SQL Server (4 proc) to Kafka (4 proc) | Non-Oracle x 4 + Big Data x 4 | $150,000 | $33,000/year | $249,000 |
| Full heterogeneous: Oracle (4) to SQL Server (4) + Kafka (4) | Base x 4 + Non-Oracle x 4 + Big Data x 4 | $220,000 | $48,400/year | $365,200 |
GoldenGate licensing applies equally to cloud deployments. If GoldenGate processes run on cloud instances, those instances must be licensed.
| Environment | Licensing Rule | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Oracle Cloud (OCI) | GoldenGate available as OCI GoldenGate managed service (consumption-based) or BYOL. | OCI managed service eliminates per-processor licensing. BYOL follows standard processor rules (1 OCPU = 1 licence). |
| AWS / Azure / GCP | BYOL only. 2 vCPUs = 1 processor licence. Each GG module must be separately licensed. | Cloud instances running GG capture or apply need the appropriate module. No core factor in cloud. |
| Hybrid (on-prem source, cloud target) | Each side licensed independently under its own rules. | On-prem source uses processor licensing with core factor. Cloud target uses vCPU conversion. |
| VMware / virtualised on-prem | Oracle's soft partitioning rules apply. All physical cores across the cluster may require licensing. | Isolate GG servers on dedicated hosts or use hard partitioning (OVM) to contain licensing scope. |
For the complete cloud and hybrid licensing guide, see our GoldenGate Licensing in Cloud and Hybrid Environments.
GoldenGate licensing costs add up quickly in heterogeneous environments. These strategies can reduce your total cost of ownership.
| Strategy | How It Works | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Bundle negotiations | Purchase multiple GoldenGate modules together as a package deal. Oracle does not offer a standard bundle SKU, but custom agreements covering multiple modules under one deal can deliver better pricing. | 15-30% off list across combined modules |
| Term licences for temporary needs | For one-time migrations (Oracle to SQL Server, legacy decommissioning), Oracle's 1-year term licences cost a fraction of perpetual pricing. | 60-80% savings vs perpetual for short-term use |
| OCI managed service | Replace self-managed GoldenGate with OCI GoldenGate service. Consumption-based pricing eliminates per-processor licensing. | Variable. Often 30-50% cheaper for moderate workloads. |
| ULA/ELA inclusion | Include GoldenGate modules in broader Unlimited Licence Agreement negotiations for unlimited deployment during term. | Highly variable. Best for organisations with extensive GG usage across many servers. |
| Hardware right-sizing | Reduce processor count on GG servers. Fewer processors = fewer licences for both source and target. | $17,500 to $100,000 saved per eliminated processor per module. |
| Alternative tools evaluation | For non-Oracle-to-non-Oracle replication (SQL Server to Kafka), evaluate open-source CDC tools (Debezium, Apache NiFi) or vendor-native tools. | Eliminates Oracle licensing entirely for non-Oracle-to-non-Oracle data flows. |
For detailed negotiation tactics, see our GoldenGate Negotiation Strategies guide and Oracle Contract Negotiation Service.
1. Map every data flow. Inventory every source and target in your GoldenGate configuration. Determine which module applies to each endpoint (Oracle, Non-Oracle, Big Data, Mainframe) and ensure the correct licence is in place for every node where GG processes run.
2. Licence both sides. Always budget for licences on every participating environment. Oracle to SQL Server = Base + Non-Oracle. Oracle to Kafka = Base + Big Data. Two non-Oracle databases = Non-Oracle on both. No exceptions.
3. Budget for mainframe early. If your project involves mainframe data replication, the ~$100K/processor cost must be planned early. Consider whether alternative approaches (batch ETL, CDC alternatives) might achieve the same goal at lower cost.
4. Track entitlements rigorously. Maintain clear records of which GoldenGate modules you own and which servers they are deployed on. In complex environments, documentation prevents inadvertently deploying GG in new ways (adding a Kafka target) without proper licensing.
5. Do not overlook non-production. Dev, test, QA, and DR environments running GoldenGate must be licensed. Restrict GG to licensed production servers or use term licences for non-production with limited duration.
6. Review annually. GoldenGate deployments evolve as new data flows are added. Quarterly review of all active GG configurations against licence entitlements prevents compliance drift. New integrations frequently introduce licensing gaps.
Not by itself. A standard GoldenGate (Oracle) licence covers only Oracle-to-Oracle replication. To work with a non-Oracle database, you need the GoldenGate for Non-Oracle Database licence for that system, in addition to any Oracle-side licence you already hold. Each module is a separate product with its own support stream.
Yes. Each server running GoldenGate components needs its own licence. In an Oracle-to-SQL Server scenario, the Oracle database server needs a GoldenGate (Base) licence and the SQL Server needs a GoldenGate for Non-Oracle Database licence. Both sides are independently licensed. There are no exceptions to the "both sides" rule.
You need an Oracle GoldenGate (Base) licence for the Oracle source and a GoldenGate for Big Data licence for the Kafka target. The Big Data module covers all big data adapters (Kafka, HDFS, Cassandra, MongoDB) from a single licensed server. You do not need separate licences for each target type.
No. If no Oracle database is part of the replication configuration, the base Oracle GoldenGate licence is not required. You purchase GoldenGate for Non-Oracle Database licences for each participating server. However, evaluate whether open-source CDC tools (Debezium, Apache NiFi) or vendor-native replication tools might be more cost-effective for non-Oracle-to-non-Oracle data flows.
Approximately yes, at list price. It is an order of magnitude more expensive than other GoldenGate modules, reflecting the niche complexity of mainframe integration. Always verify current pricing with Oracle. Negotiate aggressively as discounts are possible for large deals. Consider whether batch ETL or alternative CDC approaches might achieve the same goal at lower cost.
Yes, if GoldenGate is installed and running on those servers. Oracle requires licensing for any environment, production or non-production, where the software is used. Some organisations restrict GoldenGate to production-only and use alternative approaches for testing. If you do use it in dev/test, include those servers in your licence count. Term licences offer a lower-cost option for temporary non-production use.
You are out of compliance. Replicating from Oracle to MySQL without a Non-Oracle Database module licence violates Oracle's terms. In an audit, Oracle demands the missing licences plus back-support for the entire period of unlicensed use. It is significantly cheaper to licence correctly upfront than to face back-licensing costs plus retrospective support arrears.
Yes. The Big Data licence covers all adapters on a single licensed server. Those adapters can feed multiple target technologies (Kafka, HDFS, Cassandra, MongoDB) simultaneously from that one server. You do not need separate licences for each big data target type, just the server running the GoldenGate Big Data processes.
Not as a standard SKU. Oracle sells each GoldenGate module separately. However, during negotiations for a large purchase, you can seek a custom agreement or enterprise licence encompassing multiple modules under one deal. This would be a special arrangement, not off-the-shelf, but it can deliver better pricing and simplified management.
Rarely. Oracle lists a Named User Plus option (25-user minimum per processor) for GoldenGate products, but GoldenGate is an infrastructure-level tool where processor licensing is the standard metric. NUP may only be practical in very small or specialised deployments where you can count specific users accessing the replicated data. For most enterprise deployments, processor licensing is the only realistic option.
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