Redgate Flyway
Continuous delivery tools
Database DevOps software
Version control software
DevOps software
CI/CD tools
Source code management software
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What is Redgate Flyway
Redgate Flyway is a database migration and deployment tool used to version, apply, and track schema changes across environments. It is commonly used by application developers, DevOps teams, and database professionals to automate database changes as part of CI/CD pipelines. Flyway uses migration scripts (and optional repeatable migrations) to bring databases to a known version and records applied changes in a schema history table. It is available as an open source edition and commercial editions under Redgate Software.
Script-based migration workflow
Flyway manages database changes through ordered SQL migrations and optional repeatable migrations, which aligns well with Git-based development practices. It keeps an auditable record of what ran and when via a schema history table in the target database. This approach is straightforward to review in code review processes and to reproduce across environments. It also reduces reliance on manual, environment-specific database updates.
CI/CD friendly automation
Flyway is designed to run non-interactively in automated pipelines, including via CLI and build tooling integrations. Teams can gate application releases on successful database migrations and keep environments synchronized. It supports common pipeline patterns such as running migrations during deployment or as a dedicated pipeline stage. This makes it suitable for continuous delivery scenarios where database changes must be applied consistently.
Broad database platform support
Flyway supports multiple relational database engines, enabling a consistent migration process across different stacks. This is useful for organizations that run more than one database technology or that maintain multiple products with different database backends. The same core workflow (versioned migrations + history tracking) applies across supported platforms. This reduces the need to adopt different tooling per database.
Not a source control system
Despite being used with version control, Flyway does not provide source code management features such as branching, pull requests, or repository hosting. Teams still need an external VCS to store migration scripts and manage collaboration. This can be a mismatch when the product is evaluated under "version control" or "source code management" categories. Flyway focuses on applying and tracking database changes, not managing code repositories.
Limited state-based diffing
Flyway primarily follows a migrations-first model rather than continuously diffing live database states to generate changes. Teams that prefer state-based workflows (compare desired vs. actual schema and auto-generate deployment scripts) may need additional processes or tools. This can increase effort when onboarding legacy databases or reconciling drift across environments. Careful discipline is required to keep migrations as the source of truth.
Operational rigor required
Database deployments can fail due to locking, long-running migrations, or environment-specific data conditions, and Flyway does not eliminate these operational risks. Teams must design migrations for safe rollout and rollback strategies, including handling destructive changes and large data transformations. Coordinating application and database releases still requires planning (e.g., backward-compatible changes). The tool enforces order and tracking, but it does not automatically resolve complex release coordination.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Community | Free | For individual developers and education; provides the essentials to version and automate database changes; downloadable from Redgate. |
| Enterprise | Contact sales (custom pricing) | Enterprise-grade automation and advanced controls (script auto-generation, undo scripts, drift detection, schema/data compare, integrations); trial available; available via AWS and Azure marketplaces. |
Seller details
Redgate Software Ltd
Cambridge, United Kingdom
1999
Private
https://www.red-gate.com/
https://x.com/redgate
https://www.linkedin.com/company/redgate-software/
