> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/mariadb-cloud/readme/serverless.md). # MariaDB Cloud Serverless MariaDB Cloud Serverless is the first true serverless DB for the MySQL/MariaDB ecosystem, scaling to zero when idle and resuming in milliseconds with usage-based pricing. {% hint style="info" %} "Serverless" refers to a database model where the cloud provider fully manages the underlying database infrastructure, automatically scaling resources and applying a pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. The term "serverless" is a misnomer, as servers are still used, but the user is abstracted away from all server management tasks. {% endhint %} ## MariaDB Cloud Serverless MariaDB Cloud Serverless is the first true serverless database solution for the MySQL and MariaDB ecosystem, uniquely built to meet the dynamic demands of modern applications. MariaDB Cloud Serverless combines instant scalability with cost efficiency, scaling down to zero when idle—saving you from paying for unused capacity. When workloads resume, Serverless service is ready in milliseconds, ensuring a seamless, uninterrupted experience for applications and users. ### True Serverless Experience * **Instant Launch**: Databases ready in milliseconds using pre-fabricated micro databases * **Scale to Zero**: Complete resource deallocation during idle periods * **Immediate Cold Start**: No delays during initialization ### Cloud-Native Architecture * **No Forking**: Built on proven open-source MariaDB/MySQL without modifications * **Kubernetes-Native**: Leverages custom controllers for fine-grained resource control * **Multi-Cloud**: Deploy across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform ### Intelligent Scaling * **Vertical Auto-Scaling**: CPU and memory adjustments in real-time * **Horizontal Scaling**: Transparent live migrations for unlimited growth * **Storage Auto-Scaling**: Dynamic storage expansion based on usage patterns ## Free Developer Tier {% hint style="info" %} This free database is capped at 10 MCU-hours per month. Once this threshold is reached, the database will remain inactive for the remainder of the month. Service will resume automatically at the start of the following month when the usage limit resets. {% endhint %} Every MariaDB Cloud account includes a perpetually free serverless database perfect for: * Development and testing environments * Learning and experimentation * Proof-of-concept projects * Small applications with intermittent usage **Specifications:** * 0.5 vCPU baseline * 2GB memory baseline * Auto-scaling up to 2 SCUs (MariaDB Cloud Compute Units) * No time limits or restrictions ## MariaDB Server Versions Serverless databases run the same MariaDB Server builds as provisioned single-node databases, so you are not limited to the newest release. Choose the version with the **MariaDB Version** picker on the [Launch page](/docs/mariadb-cloud/cloud-usage/launch-page.md#basic-attributes). * **Default version** — MariaDB Cloud keeps instances ready on this version, which is what makes the instant start possible. It is pre-selected in the picker. * **Any other available version** — the database is built on demand, because ready instances are kept only for the default version. It is still a fully serverless database — it scales to zero, resumes on connection, and bills by MCU-hour exactly as the default version does. Only the launch takes longer than an instant start. {% hint style="info" %} Selecting a version other than the default requires a paid plan. On a trial with no payment method on file — including the [Free Developer Tier](#free-developer-tier) database — the version picker offers the default version only. {% endhint %} Which MariaDB Server versions are offered also depends on your [service tier](/docs/mariadb-cloud/readme/service-tiers.md): MariaDB Enterprise Server builds are available on the Power and PowerPlus tiers, and MariaDB Community Server builds on all tiers. See [MariaDB Server Version Support](/docs/mariadb-cloud/reference/mariadb-server-versions.md). Minor version upgrades are supported for Serverless databases. An upgrade must stay within the same major version — MariaDB Cloud does not upgrade a database across major versions, and does not downgrade. ## Architecture Highlights ### Compute-Storage Approach MariaDB Cloud takes a different approach from services like AWS Aurora: * **Preserves Open Source**: No modifications to the mature InnoDB storage engine * **Native Kubernetes**: Uses standard Kubernetes volume management * **No Hidden Costs**: Transparent pricing without surprise IOPS charges ### Intelligent Proxy System * **Always-On Connections**: Applications stay connected even when database scales to zero * **Session State Management**: Preserves variables, prepared statements, and transaction state * **Transparent Failover**: Automatic recovery from failures without application impact ### Buffer Pool Management * **Performance Consistency**: Maintains cache hit ratios during scaling operations * **Automatic Hydration**: Reloads frequently accessed data after scaling events * **SSD Offloading**: Temporarily stores hot pages during scale-down operations ## Supported Workloads MariaDB Cloud Serverless is designed to handle diverse workload types: ### Transactional Workloads (OLTP) * High-frequency, low-latency operations * ACID compliance and data consistency * Connection pooling and session management ### Analytical Workloads (OLAP) * Complex queries and reporting * Integration with MariaDB ColumnStore * On-demand analytics processing ### Semantic Search * Vector database capabilities * AI/ML application support * Natural language query processing ## Getting Started 1. [**Create Account**](https://app.skysql.com) - Sign up for your free MariaDB Cloud account 2. [**Launch Service**](/docs/mariadb-cloud/quickstart.md) - Follow our quickstart guide 3. [**Connect Application**](/docs/mariadb-cloud/connecting-to-mariadb-cloud-dbs/connection-overview.md#connecting-from-your-application) - Integrate with your applications 4. [**Monitor Performance**](/docs/mariadb-cloud/cloud-management/observability.md) - Use built-in monitoring tools *This page is: Copyright © 2026 MariaDB. All rights reserved.*