PyMySQL
Pure Python MySQL Driver
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. PyMySQL is a mature, actively maintained library with no known vulnerabilities, low installation friction, and a permissive MIT license. It is the right choice if you need pure-Python MySQL connectivity without compiled dependencies. Install it if you are building a Python application that must connect to MySQL or MariaDB and prefer or require a pure-Python driver.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.9 or newer; a running MySQL or MariaDB server is also required.
- For sha256_password or caching_sha2_password authentication, install with the [rsa] extra; for MariaDB ed25519 authentication, use the [ed25519] extra.
- Installation is straightforward with no compiled dependencies—the wheel installs cleanly.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — PyMySQL is released under the MIT License, a permissive license that allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for most projects.
last release 2026-05-19 (87 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-05 · 7,845 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 95,672,299 downloads/mo, #355 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install PyMySQL
import pymysql.cursors
connection = pymysql.connect(host='localhost', user='user', password='passwd', database='db')
with connection.cursor() as cursor:
cursor.execute('SELECT * FROM users')
result = cursor.fetchone()
connection.close()- Performance characteristics compared to other MySQL drivers (e.g., latency, throughput for large result sets)
- Whether the package supports connection pooling or if external pooling libraries are required
- Specific MariaDB versions tested and certified compatible
What it is and what it does
PyMySQL is a pure-Python implementation of a MySQL and MariaDB client that follows the DB-API 2.0 specification. It allows Python applications to connect to MySQL or MariaDB databases, execute queries, and retrieve results without requiring any compiled C extensions or external MySQL client libraries.
The package is designed for straightforward database connectivity in environments where a pure-Python solution is preferred or necessary. It supports both CPython 3.9+ and PyPy, handles parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, and provides cursor-based access to query results. Optional extras enable advanced authentication methods (RSA-based password hashing and MariaDB ed25519) when needed.
Use it for
- Building web applications that need to query MySQL or MariaDB databases without system-level C dependencies
- Running Python database code in restricted environments (containers, serverless) where compiled extensions are unavailable
- Prototyping or scripting against MySQL/MariaDB when you want a lightweight, dependency-free driver
- Cross-platform Python projects targeting both CPython and PyPy interpreters
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
PyMySQL is a mature, actively maintained library with no known vulnerabilities, low installation friction, and a permissive MIT license. It is the right choice if you need pure-Python MySQL connectivity without compiled dependencies. Install it if you are building a Python application that must connect to MySQL or MariaDB and prefer or require a pure-Python driver.
Install
pymysql on PyPI
Before you install
Installation is straightforward with no compiled dependencies—the wheel installs cleanly. The package is actively maintained with a recent release and no known vulnerabilities, making it a low-friction choice for MySQL connectivity.
Requires Python 3.9 or newer; a running MySQL or MariaDB server is also required. For sha256_password or caching_sha2_password authentication, install with the [rsa] extra; for MariaDB ed25519 authentication, use the [ed25519] extra.
License in practice
PyMySQL is released under the MIT License, a permissive license that allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for most projects.
Quickstart
pip install PyMySQL
import pymysql.cursors
connection = pymysql.connect(host='localhost', user='user', password='passwd', database='db')
with connection.cursor() as cursor:
cursor.execute('SELECT * FROM users')
result = cursor.fetchone()
connection.close()Verify before relying
- Performance characteristics compared to other MySQL drivers (e.g., latency, throughput for large result sets)
- Whether the package supports connection pooling or if external pooling libraries are required
- Specific MariaDB versions tested and certified compatible
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 87 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 95,672,299 / month, #355 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Database |
Evidence: pymysql-1.2.0-py3-none-any.whl
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