# Is ES security features are free? specially xpack file based authentication

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-es-security-features-are-free-specially-xpack-file-based-authentication/248972>\
**Category:** Endpoint Security\
**Tags:** elastic-stack-security\
**Created:** [September 17, 2020, 12:02pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-es-security-features-are-free-specially-xpack-file-based-authentication/248972 "2020-09-17T12:02:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![arsalan\_siddiqui](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/arsalan_siddiqui/32/75756_2.png) [@arsalan\_siddiqui](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/arsalan_siddiqui)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 12:02pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-es-security-features-are-free-specially-xpack-file-based-authentication/248972/1 "2020-09-17T12:02:28Z")

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I am native user of elastic search, can someone please help in understanding that is `xpack.security.enabled:true` with file base authentication is free or have a license cost.

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**Author:** ![Mike\_Paquette](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/mike_paquette/32/119011_2.png) [@Mike\_Paquette](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Mike_Paquette)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 1:37pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-es-security-features-are-free-specially-xpack-file-based-authentication/248972/2 "2020-09-19T13:37:33Z")

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Hi @arsalan_siddiqui, welcome to our community!

Since version 7.1, core security features of the Elastic Stack are free.  
This includes file and native realm for creating and managing users.

There's a helpful blog that explains the details at [https://www.elastic.co/blog/security-for-elasticsearch-is-now-free](https://www.elastic.co/blog/security-for-elasticsearch-is-now-free).

You can also find subscription details at [https://www.elastic.co/subscriptions](https://www.elastic.co/subscriptions)  
I've copied the relevant details into the screen shot below:

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/7/0/7068c83553d73c071fc9f43f293c1d5e7c6a2074.png)

We you you enjoy the Elastic Stack and have success with your project!

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2020, 1:37pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-es-security-features-are-free-specially-xpack-file-based-authentication/248972/3 "2020-10-17T13:37:42Z")

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