Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about FreeDB remote MySQL hosting.
General Questions
Is FreeDB really free?
Yes! FreeDB offers a free tier that allows you to create up to 2 temporary MySQL databases with 100MB of storage. No credit card is required to use the free tier.
How long do temporary databases last?
Temporary databases on the free plan are automatically deleted after 30 days. They are intended for testing, demos, and short-lived development work.
How do I delete my account?
You can delete your account by visiting your Profile settings or by clicking the "Delete Account" link in the footer while logged in. You will be asked to enter your password to confirm the permanent removal of your data and databases.
Plans, Backups & Migration
What is the Pro (Persistent) Plan?
The Pro (Persistent) Plan is a $5/month subscription that removes the 30-day auto-deletion limit so your databases stay online permanently. It includes up to 5 databases on pro.freedb.tech, 1 GB of total storage, automated daily backups (5-day retention), 1-click manual snapshots, custom database & user naming, and an ad-free dashboard. Compare plans on our Pricing page or Upgrade to Pro here.
How do automated and on-demand backups work on Pro?
Every Pro and Dedicated database is automatically backed up daily at 02:00 UTC using mysqldump --single-transaction and compressed as a downloadable .sql.gz archive (retaining up to 5 daily backups per database). You can also click Take Backup in your dashboard at any time before a schema migration, and restore any .sql or .sql.gz file directly in the dashboard.
I had an Old FreeDB Pro account ($3/mo or $5/mo). How do I migrate?
You do not need to pay twice! If you register with the same email address, your dashboard automatically detects your legacy Pro record so you can link your subscription and import your existing pro.freedb.tech databases in 1 click. You can also claim your legacy account by username or PayPal Subscription ID on our Pro Migration page.
Why did the price change from $3 to $5?
Due to an increase in infrastructure and server costs, we updated the Persistent Plan price from $3/month to $5/month for new subscriptions. Existing active subscribers continue on their original billing rate.
Can I cancel my subscription at any time?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time directly from your dashboard or PayPal. Once cancelled, your databases remain persistent until the end of your current billing period, followed by a 30-day grace window.
Technical Details
How do I connect to my remote MySQL database?
Once you create a database, we provide you with a hostname, username, and password. You can use these credentials in any MySQL client, such as MySQL Workbench, DBeaver, or directly in your application code.
Is remote access enabled?
Yes, all databases on FreeDB allow remote connections from any IP address. You don't need to configure any firewall rules on our end.
What MySQL version are you using?
We currently use MySQL 8.0, providing you with the latest features and performance improvements.
Do you support SSL/TLS connections, and how do I connect tools like Tableau Desktop?
Yes! All FreeDB databases support TLS/SSL encryption on port 3306. If you are connecting with tools like Tableau Desktop, MySQL Workbench, or DBeaver that require an SSL Certificate Authority (CA) file to authenticate with MySQL 8's caching_sha2_password, you can download the ca.pem certificate directly from your FreeDB Dashboard while logged in. Check out our Tableau Connection Tutorial for step-by-step guidance.
Still have questions?
We're here to help. Send us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
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