etcd
Open-source, strongly consistent key-value store for configuration and coordination in clusters.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Linux, macOS, Windows, Self-hosted
Is etcd free?
Yes, free and open source
Switch from etcd to
All 2
Apache ZooKeeperOpen source
ConsulFree plan + paid
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 2
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About etcd
etcd is a distributed key-value store built for the small but critical data a cluster depends on: configuration, service registrations, leases and locks. It uses the Raft consensus algorithm, so every member agrees on the same data and the cluster keeps working if a minority of machines fails, including the leader. Clients read and write over gRPC or HTTP, can watch keys or prefixes for changes, and can attach time-to-live leases so stale entries disappear on their own. It is best known as the database behind Kubernetes, which stores all cluster state in it, but it is also used directly for service discovery and leader election. etcd is a free CNCF project under the Apache 2.0 licence, written in Go and shipped as a single binary for Linux, macOS and Windows. You run and back it up yourself, or get it managed as part of a Kubernetes service.
Best for: Platform teams that need a small, consistent store for config, locks and service state..
Pros and cons
What works
- Strong consistency through Raft, with clear behaviour during network splits
- Watches and leases make service registration and locks straightforward
- Single Go binary that is easy to deploy, with wide Kubernetes tooling
Why people leave
- Meant for small values; not a general-purpose database
- No built-in health checking, DNS interface or web console
- Needs regular compaction, defragmentation and backups to stay healthy
etcd vs Apache ZooKeeper and Consul
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | etcd | Apache ZooKeeper | Consul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Yes |
| Open source | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows, Self-hosted | Linux, macOS, Windows, Self-hosted | Self-hosted, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Top etcd alternatives
See all 2- 1Apache ZooKeeper68.8
The older coordination service with a long track record in Hadoop, HBase and Kafka stacks.
- 2Consul64.8
Key-value store plus health checks, DNS discovery and a service mesh in one tool.
Why people left etcd
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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etcd: common questions
What is etcd?
etcd: Open-source, strongly consistent key-value store for configuration and coordination in clusters. Best for platform teams that need a small, consistent store for config, locks and service state. Available for Linux, macOS and Windows, and you can host it yourself.
Is etcd free?
Yes. etcd is free, open-source software.
Is etcd open source?
No, etcd is not open source.
What platforms does etcd run on?
etcd is available for Linux, macOS, Windows and Self-hosted.
What are the best alternatives to etcd?
The highest-ranked etcd alternatives right now are Apache ZooKeeper and Consul. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
etcd vs Apache ZooKeeper: what's the difference?
Both etcd and Apache ZooKeeper are free and open source. Both run on Linux, macOS and Windows.