A cross-platform serialization library that lets you read binary data directly without parsing or unpacking it first.
26.6K3.7KC++Apache-2.0Updated 5 hours ago
2 alternatives
Best open-source alternatives to Protocol Buffers (2026)
Looking for a free, open-source alternative to Protocol Buffers? These 2 projects can replace it. Each one passed our quality screening and is explained in plain words, so you can compare stars, license and maintenance at a glance.
Quick comparison
| Project | Stars | License | Last commit |
|---|---|---|---|
| google/flatbuffers | ★ 26.6K | Apache-2.0 | 5 hours ago |
| apache/thrift | ★ 11K | Apache-2.0 | 15 hours ago |
A language-independent RPC framework with a code generator that builds interoperable clients and servers across many programming languages.
11K4.1KC++Apache-2.0Updated 15 hours ago
FAQ
- Is there a free, open-source alternative to Protocol Buffers?
- Yes. The most popular open-source alternatives to Protocol Buffers on Repolode are flatbuffers, thrift.
- Which Protocol Buffers alternative should I choose?
- flatbuffers has the most GitHub stars and is released under Apache-2.0. Compare the license and last commit of each option in the table above before choosing.