Apache Derby vs IBM Db2 Database comparison

Apache and IBM are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. Apache is ranked #38, while IBM is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.4. Apache holds a 0.8% mindshare in SQL, compared to IBM’s 6.6% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution.

Apache Derby

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334 Comparison Views

IBM Db2 Database

Read 75 IBM Db2 Database reviews

3,607 Views
3,463 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Apache Derby

IBM Db2 Database

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Apache Derby and IBM Db2 Database based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

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January 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Apache Derby

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

38th

Average Rating

0.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IBM Db2 Database

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

5th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of Apache Derby is 0.8%, up from 0.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Db2 Database is 6.6%, down from 6.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
IBM Db2 Database	6.6%
Apache Derby	0.8%
Other	92.6%

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

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reviewer2708292

Associate Director, Data Architecture at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

Support improves setup and maintenance while pricing influences decision

If you have a similar use case and the same deal with IBM as our company, it is definitely a good option and choice. The company I work with has more than 50,000 people and more than 500 support staff. We are not locked into one database vendor. We typically work with multiple database vendors simultaneously, selecting the top choice based on the deals we make and other considerations. We do not use IBM Db2 Database related to AI at this moment because our AI project PLC is still very small scale. We may consider it in the future if we have enough scale. Overall rating for IBM Db2 Database is 8.5 out of 10.

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Financial Services Firm

19%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	20
Midsize Enterprise	13
Large Enterprise	48

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about IBM Db2 Database?

Db2 database scalability and performance capabilities match our database needs. It covers pretty much everything a database administrator or engineer might need.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Db2 Database?

IBM Db2 is an expensive solution. While I am not heavily involved with pricing, additional companies provide capabilities or products like those from BMC, which many installations might also purchase.

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What needs improvement with IBM Db2 Database?

The IBM Db2 Database is a good solution, but now there is a high maintenance charge. The IBM Db2 Database needs improved support, and there are many difficulties in using it. We tend to use the clo...

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Comparisons

MySQL vs Apache Derby

Compared 28% of the time

Oracle Database vs Apache Derby

Compared 16% of the time

Oracle Database In-Memory vs Apache Derby

Compared 13% of the time

Oracle Java DB vs Apache Derby

Compared 12% of the time

SQL Server vs Apache Derby

Compared 11% of the time

More Apache Derby Competitors

SQL Server vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 40% of the time

Oracle Database vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 17% of the time

SAP HANA vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 9% of the time

Teradata vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 9% of the time

YugabyteDB vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 1% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Relational Databases Tools

January 2026

Download Apache Derby product report

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

January 2026

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Also Known As

No data available

DB2

Overview

Apache Derby, an Apache DB subproject, is an open source relational database implemented entirely in Java and available under the Apache License, Version 2.0. Some key advantages include:

Derby has a small footprint -- about 2.6 megabytes for the base engine and embedded JDBC driver.
Derby is based on the Java, JDBC, and SQL standards.
Derby provides an embedded JDBC driver that lets you embed Derby in any Java-based solution.
Derby also supports the more familiar client/server mode with the Derby Network Client JDBC driver and Derby Network Server.
Derby is easy to install, deploy, and use.

Apache

DB2 Enterprise for Linux, UNIX, and Windows is the ideal data server for the most demanding workloads. New XML support is designed to help firms minimize the time and effort it takes to persist and use their XML data reducing development costs and improving business agility.

IBM

Sample Customers

Logitech, Splice Machine, CrowdStrike, Lever, Human Solutions

Knorr-Bremse, Mizuho Bank Ltd., Australian Government Department of Defence, SCHWENK Zement, Friedhelm Loh Group, YAZAKI Europe Limited, Ekornes ASA, Baldor Electric, VSN Systemen BV, Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, PLANSEE Group, TE Connectivity, Hansgrohe SE, Openmatics, University of Toronto

Buyer's Guide

Relational Databases Tools

January 2026

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