Can we use MongoDB Enterprise (3.6.23) in production server?

The MongoDB Enterprise Edition absolutely can be downloaded and installed by anybody, but the key is how it’s licensed.

MongoDB Enterprise Server is indeed available for anyone to download, but it’s intended for use only by those with a commercial MongoDB Enterprise Advanced subscription. If you’re using it for production (especially commercial purposes), you’re supposed to have a license… w/o a subscription, using it in a prod env violates the terms of the MongoDB licensing agreement.

regarding MongoDB 3.6.23:

Even though MongoDB 3.6 is an older version (from the pre-SSPL days), (and end-of-life, btw) it still follows the same commercial-use policy for the Enterprise Edition. You’re required to have a MongoDB Enterprise Advanced subscription to use it in a production environment legally.

you may be asking… What’s the Difference with the Community Edition?

• Community Edition is free to use, even for production, with the open-source SSPL (Server Side Public License).
• Enterprise Advanced gives you additional features (encryption, auditing, etc.), but it requires a paid license for production use.

so… TL;DR:

Yes, you can technically download and install it, but using MongoDB Enterprise Edition in production without a valid license is against the terms of use. If you’re using it for commercial purposes, you’ll need to get a MongoDB Enterprise Advanced subscription.

Let us know if you want more info on the differences between the Community and Enterprise editions, or if you need help getting in touch with MongoDB’s team for licenses!