No, MongoDB is not owned by Google. MongoDB is developed and owned by MongoDB Inc., an independent software company.
Understanding MongoDB Ownership
MongoDB Inc. is a publicly traded software company that specializes in the development and commercialization of the MongoDB NoSQL database. While Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers services that allow users to run MongoDB, this does not signify ownership. Cloud providers like Google, Amazon (AWS), and Microsoft (Azure) provide hosting environments and managed services for various third-party databases, including MongoDB, but they do not own the underlying technology or the company that develops it.
Here are key aspects related to MongoDB's ownership and development:
- Developer and Owner: MongoDB is developed by MongoDB Inc.
- Licensing: Current versions of MongoDB are licensed under the Server Side Public License (SSPL). This license was created by MongoDB Inc. to ensure that companies offering MongoDB as a service contribute back to the community.
- Industry Alliance: MongoDB is a member of the MACH Alliance, an organization promoting modern, open, and flexible enterprise technology architectures (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native SaaS, Headless). This highlights its commitment to open standards and modern software development practices, independent of any specific cloud vendor.
- Public Company: MongoDB Inc. is a standalone, publicly traded company (NASDAQ: MDB), distinct from Google LLC, which is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion often arises because major cloud providers, including Google Cloud, offer managed MongoDB services. For example:
- Google Cloud: Offers options to deploy MongoDB on Compute Engine or leverage partner solutions like MongoDB Atlas, which is a fully managed cloud database service by MongoDB Inc. itself.
- Other Cloud Providers: Similar services are offered by AWS (e.g., DocumentDB, which is MongoDB-compatible but not MongoDB itself, or MongoDB Atlas on AWS) and Azure (e.g., Azure Cosmos DB's MongoDB API or MongoDB Atlas on Azure).
These offerings mean that while you can use MongoDB on Google's infrastructure, Google does not own the database technology or the company behind it.
In summary:
| Aspect | MongoDB | Google LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | MongoDB Inc. | Alphabet Inc. (Parent Company) |
| Primary Business | NoSQL Database Software | Search, Cloud Computing, AI, Hardware |
| Relationship | Independent company; Google offers services compatible with/hosting for MongoDB | Cloud provider that hosts and partners with MongoDB Inc. |
MongoDB Inc. maintains full control over the development, licensing, and strategic direction of its database, independent of any specific cloud provider.
