MongoDB has emerged as a top choice for businesses building high-performance, scalable, and flexible applications. Whether you’re an enterprise modernizing your tech stack or a startup launching your MVP, MongoDB supports dynamic data structures, fast iteration, and seamless scaling.
This guide will walk you through how to install MongoDB on Ubuntu 20.04, making it easy to integrate this NoSQL powerhouse into your development environment or production infrastructure.
Why MongoDB on Ubuntu 20.04?
Choosing to install MongoDB on Ubuntu 20.04 combines the stability of a popular Linux distribution with the power of a document-oriented database.
Benefits of MongoDB for Business-Critical Applications:
- Flexible schema for agile development
- High performance for read/write-heavy workloads
- Easy horizontal scalability with sharding
- Built-in replication and high availability
- Ideal for IoT, analytics, real-time, and e-commerce platforms
Step-by-Step: Install MongoDB on Ubuntu 20.04
Step 1: Update Your Package List
Begin by ensuring your Ubuntu server is up to date:
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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Keeping your packages current helps avoid dependency issues during the MongoDB installation.
Step 2: Import MongoDB’s Official GPG Key
MongoDB packages are signed for integrity. Import their GPG key:
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wget -qO – https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-6.0.asc | sudo apt-key add –
This verifies the authenticity of downloaded packages.
Step 3: Add MongoDB APT Repository to Ubuntu
Add the official MongoDB repository to your system:
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echo “deb [ arch=amd64,arm64 ] https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu focal/mongodb-org/6.0 multiverse” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-6.0.list
Now refresh your package index:
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sudo apt update
Step 4: Install MongoDB Server on Ubuntu
Run the following command to install MongoDB:
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sudo apt install -y mongodb-org
This command installs:
- mongod – database daemon
- mongosh – interactive shell
- mongos – sharding support
- Useful MongoDB tools
Step 5: Start and Verify MongoDB Service
Start MongoDB using systemctl:
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sudo systemctl start mongod
Check the service status:
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sudo systemctl status mongod
You should see active (running) if it’s working correctly.
Step 6: Enable MongoDB to Launch on System Boot
Set MongoDB to automatically start on boot:
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sudo systemctl enable mongod
This ensures MongoDB is always available after a system restart.
Step 7: Verify MongoDB Installation on Ubuntu
Connect to MongoDB using its shell:
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mongosh
Then run:
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db.version()
This will confirm that MongoDB is installed and functioning.
Quick MongoDB Usage Tips
Here are a few basic commands to get you started:
- Show all databases
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show dbs
- Create/Switch database
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use mydb
- Insert document
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db.users.insertOne({ name: “Alice”, age: 30 })
- Retrieve documents
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db.users.find()
Important Production Tips
If you’re planning to deploy MongoDB in a production environment, consider:
- Enabling authentication and role-based access
- Configuring firewalls to limit exposure
- Setting up replica sets for high availability
- Monitoring usage via MongoDB Atlas or Ops Manager
These steps ensure that your MongoDB server setup on Ubuntu is secure and ready for business-critical operations.
Conclusion
You’ve successfully learned how to install MongoDB on Ubuntu 20.04—an essential step in building scalable, high-performance applications.
Whether you’re creating a data-driven mobile app, real-time analytics dashboard, or enterprise backend, MongoDB provides the flexibility and power to grow with your business.
Additional Resources: