Exasol Data Warehouse vs IBM Informix comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Exasol and IBM are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. Exasol is ranked #36, while IBM is ranked #28 with an average rating of 4.0. Exasol holds a 1.4% mindshare in SQL, compared to IBM’s 1.8% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Exasol users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of IBM users who would recommend it.

Exasol Data Warehouse

Read 8 Exasol Data Warehouse reviews

1,944 Views
1,750 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Informix

Read 17 IBM Informix reviews

2,886 Views
2,626 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

Exasol Data Warehouse

IBM Informix

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

IBM Informix and Exasol Data Warehouse are competitive in the data management and analytics domain. Exasol appears to have the upper hand due to its superior performance and scalability, making it ideal for environments demanding rapid data processing.

Features: IBM Informix offers robust transaction processing, supports multiple data types, and integrates seamlessly into existing IT infrastructures. It provides high availability with data replication capabilities and flexibility in database schema creation. Exasol Data Warehouse excels in high-speed analytics, efficiently handles complex queries, and supports automatic optimization for performance tuning. Its user-friendliness and intuitive design enhance its capability as a plug-and-play solution.

Room for Improvement: IBM Informix could improve scalability options for new environments and enhance cloud deployment features. Enhancing user interface for easier management and expanding tools for analytics could be beneficial. Exasol might benefit from more flexible role and permission management, lowering setup complexity, and offering more competitive initial pricing.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM Informix is easier to deploy in traditional on-premise environments, supported by strong technical assistance. Exasol provides a cloud-based deployment option with excellent customer support that ensures efficient troubleshooting and guidance, offering advantages in flexibility and responsiveness.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Informix has a lower initial cost which is attractive for budget-sensitive organizations. Exasol’s initial setup costs are higher, but its powerful performance capabilities can lead to a higher long-term ROI for operations focused on analytics and rapid query responses. Both products present unique value propositions that could impact overall cost-effectiveness depending on the organization's needs.

To learn more, read our detailed Exasol Data Warehouse vs. IBM Informix Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Exasol Data Warehouse vs. IBM Informix

September 2026

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Helped 919,894 peers since 2012

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

Exasol Data Warehouse

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

36th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IBM Informix

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

28th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Embedded Database (10th)

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of Exasol Data Warehouse is 1.4%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Informix is 1.8%, down from 1.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
IBM Informix	1.8%
Exasol Data Warehouse	1.4%
Other	96.8%

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

Shubham-Agarwal

Manager - Projects at Cognizant

Fast query processing and easy-to-store all the data

There are very few companies that are using Exasol, but the majority of companies are using SQL Server, Cloud or IBM Db2 Database, or any other databases. Therefore, the resources are limited, which is my only concern. So if I face any issues, limited resources are available to help me resolve the issue with Exasol. From that perspective, it can be a bit of a struggle for me to find a solution. In the next release, I would like to see better compatibility issues. Currently, Exasol has limited compatibility with other software like Python and R. For example, If I talk about SQL Server, we can connect it to big data or Python, which is also compatible with different servers.

Read full review

Nasir Niamat

DB Consultant at i2c

Has offered a cost-effective option despite frequent technical issues and limited market demand

We find some bugs in IBM Informix. Maybe we are using it more aggressively than others. Every month or every second month, we find some bugs in it, which is not ideal. It should be rare, not this frequent. The good thing is they cover those bugs in the next release within weeks or days on demand. IBM Informix should become hybrid and should include AI features similar to other DBMS systems such as Snowflake, Redshift, and DataBricks. This would help its value rise with the market.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most valuable feature of Exasol is its speed."

"We mainly chose Exasol for its performance reasons."

"Performance is a top priority, and it excels in this aspect."

"It is easy to scale."

"The speed is very good compared to other databases, like SQL Server or Oracle."

"The solution is hands-off; you set it up insert your data and it self tunes queries."

"Its speed is great."

"We can quickly scale the solution as it works on an MPP system."

More Exasol Data Warehouse pros

"IBM Informix benefits users with high availability and good integration capabilities."

"Replication is a valuable feature and easy to use."

"Overall, this is a great product. It works really well, is very stable, and is very scalable."

"Every version is faster than the previous."

"The scalability is very good."

"So far, we do not have a lot of issues. It's pretty problem-free."

"We don't have any problems with the Informix Database."

"It is very easy to install IBM Informix, very easy to scale, and support is quite better."

More IBM Informix pros

Cons

"The price is quite expensive relative to other similar solutions, it could be more accessible in that sense."

"They don't talk very well to with other products when it comes to connectivity. Integration is lacking."

"There are limited resources available to help me resolve the issue with Exasol."

"They should improve the security features for MPP processing."

"You have to install Exasol drivers, and it's not easy to find or implement a driver into different systems."

"It would be beneficial if the updates would occur more often."

"Lacks a cloud-based platform."

"The only area where we found it could improve was in custom role creation and security, and it was difficult to work with."

More Exasol Data Warehouse cons

"The pricing is a bit expensive."

"Informix is very sturdy, but the problem for us is the marketing action around Informix."

"This solution is in need of more current tools."

"The technical support services need substantial improvement."

"It would be helpful to have IBM salespeople know that Informix exists, and sell it. Currently, it is completely ignored by IBM."

"Continue extending the SQL language for compatibility with the competition's language, including Stored Procedure Language."

"The product needs a lot more marketing involvement from IBM."

"The solution doesn't include functionality like data anonymization."

More IBM Informix cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution's cost is mid-ranged."

"I am not aware of the licensing costs or terms."

"The free edition can be enough to handle moderate-size implementations, but you may want a pay for edition to benefit from more functionality, such as replication."

"For me, it's always too expensive."

"The product has reasonable pricing. We purchase its yearly license."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Outsourcing Company

14%

Construction Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

12%

Construction Company

10%

Outsourcing Company

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	1
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	6

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	8

Questions from the Community

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Informix?

There is a cost reason to move from IBM Informix. It is relatively cheaper than Oracle. The second reason is that moving the whole application to a new database would require significant cost. The ...

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What needs improvement with IBM Informix?

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What is your primary use case for IBM Informix?

We are using IBM Informix for OLTP systems. We are using IBM Informix although it is a technology that is not very popular compared to others. We are using it because our application was initially ...

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Comparisons

SQL Server vs Exasol Data Warehouse

Compared 10% of the time

Teradata vs Exasol Data Warehouse

Compared 8% of the time

Oracle Database vs Exasol Data Warehouse

Compared 6% of the time

IBM Db2 Database vs Exasol Data Warehouse

Compared 6% of the time

OpenText Analytics Database (Vertica) vs Exasol Data Warehouse

Compared 5% of the time

More Exasol Data Warehouse Competitors

Oracle Database vs IBM Informix

Compared 16% of the time

SQL Server vs IBM Informix

Compared 15% of the time

IBM Db2 Database vs IBM Informix

Compared 14% of the time

MySQL vs IBM Informix

Compared 6% of the time

Actian Ingres vs IBM Informix

Compared 6% of the time

More IBM Informix Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Exasol Data Warehouse

October 2026

Download Exasol Data Warehouse product report

Buyer's Guide

IBM Informix

October 2026

Download IBM Informix product report

Also Known As

No data available

Informix

Overview

Exasol Data Warehouse is renowned for its exceptional speed and automatic optimization, making it user-friendly. It enhances data processing on platforms such as Tableau, ensuring efficient dashboards for users across countries.

Exasol Data Warehouse offers an impressive performance by outperforming competitors like SQL Server and Oracle. Its automatic optimization and hands-off setup simplify deployment, while robust SQL support and self-tuning capabilities improve workflows. Users benefit from its high processing speed, supporting efficient data queries and broader workflows, alongside an intuitive interface and comprehensive documentation. Despite its performance strengths, it struggles with global recognition, connectivity, and integration. Challenges include custom role creation and security, with limited row-level security support. Users seek more frequent updates and better compatibility with languages such as Python and R. It requires specific drivers, is not cloud-native, and has a high cost. With limited resources available, security features for MPP processing need enhancement.

What are the key features of Exasol?

Impressive Speed: Outperforms counterparts in data processing, enhancing efficiency.
Automatic Optimization: Boosts performance and ease of use.
Robust SQL Support: Facilitates seamless data handling and queries.
Self-Tuning Capabilities: Reduces manual intervention for users.
Intuitive Interface: Enhances user engagement and accessibility.

What benefits should users look for in Exasol?

Enhanced Performance: Streamlines and accelerates BI functions.
Improved Dashboard Efficiency: Increases effectiveness on platforms like Tableau.
Ease of Use: Simplifies set-up with hands-off setup and self-tuning.
Broad Integration: Acts as backend for tools like MicroStrategy.
Central Data Repository: Supports critical data management across regions.

Exasol Data Warehouse is implemented to enhance performance in reporting systems and development processes, serving teams in Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. It acts as a backend for reporting tools such as MicroStrategy while accelerating BI functions. It supports the resolutions of data issues from tools like Tableau, provides ad-hoc analysis, and manages critical data points efficiently.

Exasol

IBM Informix is renowned for its high performance and reliability, especially optimized for OLTP settings. Supporting large data volumes with scalability and advanced data management features, Informix efficiently integrates SQL and NoSQL capabilities within hybrid environments.

IBM Informix provides comprehensive capabilities tailored for robust database management and industry applications. Designed for handling concurrent data processing, its advanced replication, data compression, and seamless scalability are key highlights. Despite facing challenges such as less replication enhancement and SQL compatibility, Informix remains crucial for sectors like healthcare, banking, and government, integrating effectively with Unix-based systems. While some users seek improved AI features, enhanced tools, and simpler administration, Informix stands as a reliable choice for demanding data tasks.

What are the main features of IBM Informix?

Advanced Data Replication: Facilitates efficient data management across different environments.
Scalability: Offers both horizontal and vertical scaling for handling growth and complexity.
Data Compression: Reduces storage needs, saving resources while enhancing performance.
Hybrid Data Capabilities: Allows integration of SQL and NoSQL for varied data needs.

What benefits should users expect from IBM Informix?

High Performance: Optimized for OLTP, ensuring quick data transactions and processing.
Reliability: Stable performance even under demanding conditions, maintaining data integrity.
Cost Efficiency: Handles large data volumes with minimal resources, reducing overall costs.
Ease of Management: Simplifies complex database scenarios, enhancing operational efficiency.

IBM Informix plays a central role in sectors such as healthcare, banking, telecommunications, and government by supporting crucial operations through data processing, replication, and backup tasks. Its ability to integrate into Unix-based systems makes it widely adopted for applications, analytics, and real-time industry needs, especially in organizations focusing on OLTP systems.

IBM

Sample Customers

1&1 Internet SE 11880 Internet Services AG AB Svenska Spel Accarda AG Aera Technology Inc. AGRAVIS Raiffeisen AG Apotheken-Rechen-Zentrum GmbH AQR Capital Management, LLC arvato distribution GmbH ARZ Allgemeines Rechenzentrum GmbH Badoo Limited Baur Versand (GmbH & Co. KG) BIScience Ltd Blocket Blue Yonder GmbH Codilink UK Ltd T/A Coniq crealytics GmbH dailyme TV GmbH Dailymotion S.A. Dataforce Verlagsgesellschaft für Business Information mbH Deutsche Postbank AG Digitales Rezept Zentrum GmbH DIKW Groep direct services Gütersloh GmbH DR Technologies Ltd. dress-for-less GmbH econda GmbH emetriq GmbH empiriecom GmbH & Co. KG Flaconi GmbH Fresenius Netcare GmbH Fyber GmbH GfK SE Grant Street Group, Inc. Gruner + Jahr GmbH Gymshark UK Hahn Air Lines GmbH Hermes Einrichtungs Service GmbH & Co. KG INNOVATIVE SCHEDULING, LLC internetstores GmbH INTERSPORT Deutschland eG IQVIA Commercial GmbH & Co. OHG IQVIA Commercial Sp. z o.o. IQVIA Incorporated iVantage Health Analytics K - Mail Order GmbH & Co. KG LIQ CORP SA Manor AG Basel Match2Lists Limited MEDION AG Midasplayer AB Monsoon Accessorize Limited m-pathy GmbH msales Ltd. MTG Modern Services AB MW Aviation GmbH & Co. KG Myntra Designs Pvt Ltd Netzeffekt GmbH New Company Services Ltd. NOVENTI HealthCare GmbH Olympus Europa SE & Co. KG Operation Fistula OpsDataStore OTTO (GmbH & Co KG) Panda Retail Co. PAPSTAR GmbH Piedmont Healthcare, Inc. Questback GmbH RatePAY GmbH Revolut Ltd. Saarland-Sporttoto GmbH Sagarmatha Ltd. SIA Damara Technologies Supermärkte Nord Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG The National Research Center for College & University Admissions, Inc. United Utilities Water Ltd. Verlag C.H. Beck oHG Vocal Planet Ltd. Vodafone Group Services GmbH Webtrekk GmbH wer liefert was? GmbH Windeln.de SE Wooga GmbH XING SE Zalando SE

Shaspa, Hildebrand, Kaifa, Ranhill Powertron, Federaci‹ Farmacutica (FedeFarma), Camden Council, The German Aerospace Center (DLR), Myers, Votorantim Group, Doosan Infracore, GreenIvory

Buyer's Guide

Exasol Data Warehouse vs. IBM Informix

September 2026

Free Report: Exasol Data Warehouse vs. IBM Informix

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