---
id: zodb
version: "6.3"
license: ZPL-2.1
license_treatment: unclear
maintenance: active
---

# ZODB — ZODB, a Python object-oriented database

License: unclear · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 216.7K/mo

## What it is and what it does

ZODB is a Python object-oriented database that lets you store and retrieve Python objects as if they were native to your application, with minimal code changes and no separate query language. It implements ACID transactions and runs on Python 3.10 and above, including PyPy. The database operates transparently—objects are persisted directly without an object-relational mapping layer that would partially hide the database abstraction.

The package depends on seven runtime components: persistent (for object state management), BTrees (for efficient indexing), ZConfig (for configuration), transaction (for ACID semantics), zc.lockfile (for concurrency control), zope.interface (for interface definitions), and zodbpickle (for serialization). It is actively maintained, with recent releases adding support for Python 3.14 and new configuration options, and has no known security vulnerabilities.

Use it for:

- Store complex Python object hierarchies directly without designing a relational schema or writing SQL.
- Build applications where object state and database state are nearly identical, reducing impedance mismatch.
- Implement ACID-compliant transactions for Python applications that need strong consistency guarantees.
- Develop Zope-based web applications or systems that integrate with the broader Zope ecosystem.
- Create embedded databases for Python applications that need persistence without external database infrastructure.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

ZODB is an object-oriented database for Python that stores and retrieves Python objects directly without requiring a separate query language or object-relational mapping layer.

Yes, if you need transparent object persistence in Python and accept the ZPL-2.1 license. ZODB is actively maintained, has low install friction, supports modern Python versions (3.10–3.14), and carries no known vulnerabilities. Verify license compatibility and review the documentation to confirm it fits your data model and transaction requirements before committing to production use.

## Install

pip install zodb
uv add zodb
poetry add zodb

## Installing ZODB

Before you install: Low install friction with a pure-wheel distribution. Actively maintained with recent commits and support for current Python versions (3.10–3.14). Seven runtime dependencies are all established packages in the Zope ecosystem.

License in practice: Licensed under ZPL-2.1 (Zope Public License 2.1). License treatment is marked unclear in the fact sheet; verify compatibility with your project's license requirements before use.

Quickstart:

pip install zodb

import ZODB
db = ZODB.DB()
connection = db.open()
root = connection.root()
root['key'] = 'value'
import transaction
transaction.commit()

Requires Python 3.10 or above; does not support Python 3.7–3.9.

Verify before relying:

- Exact scope and performance characteristics of the seven runtime dependencies and their interaction with ZODB's core functionality.
- Whether ZPL-2.1 is compatible with common proprietary or copyleft licenses used in your codebase.
- Production-readiness and data durability guarantees for specific storage backends (FileStorage, etc.).

## Package facts

- License: ZPL-2.1 (unclear)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 216.7K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

object-oriented database python, persistent python objects, nosql database python, acid transactional database, python object storage, zope database, transparent object persistence, nosql, object-persistence, acid-transactions

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