IBM Db2 Database vs IBM Informix comparison

IBM Db2 Database and IBM Informix are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. IBM Db2 Database is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.1, while IBM Informix is ranked #23 with an average rating of 6.5. IBM Db2 Database holds a 7.1% mindshare in SQL, compared to IBM Informix’s 1.9% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IBM Db2 Database users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of IBM Informix users who would recommend it.

IBM Db2 Database

Read 73 IBM Db2 Database reviews

6,854 Views
4,346 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

IBM Informix

Read 16 IBM Informix reviews

1,969 Views
1,090 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

IBM Informix

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

IBM Db2 and Informix compete in the database management systems category. Db2 appears to have the upper hand due to its comprehensive platform support and strong integration capabilities.

Features: Db2 offers extensive platform support, powerful SQL dialects, and self-tuning memory management that enhances performance and usability. It integrates well with various IBM tools and features robust security options. Informix is known for flexible data management, ease of use, and strong capabilities in hybrid data and replication, efficiently supporting large-scale data with minimal resources.

Room for Improvement: Db2 has a steep learning curve and a complex licensing process, with a need for a more user-friendly interface. Informix needs a stronger marketing presence and improved integration with modern tools, as well as advanced features like data anonymization. Both require enhanced support structures and more intuitive setup processes.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Db2 mainly focuses on-premises deployment with hybrid cloud options, but users find its setup and interface challenging. Informix offers similar deployment flexibility with fewer reported issues. Db2 enjoys broad customer service access but experiences vary in support quality. Informix's support is adequate but requires better global reach and proactive engagement.

Pricing and ROI: Db2 is considered expensive but more cost-effective than Oracle in terms of long-term ROI due to its strong performance and security. Informix, while perceived as high-priced, is competitive within the industry, offering various editions for different enterprise scales. Both solutions need careful license management to maximize ROI and control costs.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM Db2 Database vs. IBM Informix Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. IBM Informix

March 2025

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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

IBM Db2 Database

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

6th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IBM Informix

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

23rd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Embedded Database (9th)

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of IBM Db2 Database is 7.1%, up from 6.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Informix is 1.9%, up from 1.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

SimonHiggins

Mainframe Technical Manager/Service Integration Lead at Saudi Business Machines

Very scalable with high availability and excellent technical support

The good thing is that there are improvements coming with later function levels for the z/OS Db2. I'd like it if, with the operating system that we've got, z/OS, on the mainframe, it would allow us to refresh the hardware to run Linux dockers on the mainframe. This means this might give us opportunities for different ways of coming into the Db2 environment in the future. We just want a bit more integration with Linux. That said, we are already seeing Linux more readily available on the mainframe environment. Not only have we got the premium operating systems on OS. We can run LPARs on the same mainframe footprint that is also supporting Linux. This is what has improved and made the mainframe environment more competitive. We're also looking at AI for Db2 as well, and machine learning for the future. We know that AI has come out, that we're going to get that, and we're going to evaluate that product next year for Db2. That said, I haven't got any real complaints about Db2 on the mainframe. For the most part, a lot of the problems we have nowadays are to do with communication between the various teams that you would class as stakeholders.

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Nazzareno Maria Rezzini

Senior Oracle Database and Systems Administrator at Dedagroup

Supports multiple business intelligence tools, but the technical support services need improvement

IBM Informix is a central database solution across various environments, supporting multiple applications and business intelligence tools The key areas for improvement revolve around understanding the current customer trends and demands, particularly in software and database requirements. The…

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

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

"The solution is stable."

"The most valuable aspect of this solution is its stability. We have never had any problems and have never had to contact technical support."

"I believe that because the support is good, they jump in and assist us in determining the root cause."

"The most valuable feature of the IBM Db2 Database is the ease of use, and the ability to do query writing of any SQL statement and have an output."

"The solution has many beneficial features, such as security, support, and stability."

"I can easily export that to further work on it in Snowflake."

"The solution helps secure the database."

More IBM Db2 Database pros

"Every version is faster than the previous."

"The scalability is very good."

"It supports multiple applications and business intelligence tools."

"The solution's stability, performance, enhanced functionality, and replication are all great features."

"For IoT business cases, having Informix Enterprise Edition work on edge computers, like Raspberry Pi and using Informix replication, makes complex situations simple to build and maintain."

"The most valuable feature is concurrency and locking because my customers usually use databases in OLTP mode. So, for a large number of competitive users. Other features that are well valued are quick large-scale data types. It is better than Oracle."

"Replication, all levels of replication, query charting, and the MongoDB embedded are the most valuable features of this solution."

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

More IBM Informix pros

Cons

"The queries can be difficult for beginners because there are so many. I would like to see more use cases for flow analysis that enable us to correlate the flow with events. Adding this feature in a QI format would be good for beginners."

"Not very solid compared to its competitors' products."

"The backup solution lacks flexibility."

"The initial set up was complex."

"Do not use support. Freely available documentation is a bit weak."

"It would be ideal if the solution offered backup functionality. Many similar tools already do, which means Db2 is somewhat behind the curve in terms of what a customer might expect from it."

"End-to-end encryption specifically is something the solution needs to have in the next release."

"Some of the internal rearrangement in the administration is not as straightforward as it is in competing products."

More IBM Db2 Database cons

"The solution really doesn't add new features very often."

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

"This product could be made easier to use for beginners."

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

"I experienced poor input/output (IO) performance."

"The pricing is a bit expensive."

"The support team could include local engineers to establish efficient communication. It will help us speed up the escalation process."

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

More IBM Informix cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is expensive."

"We don't see what the specific price of the DB2 license is because we pay for the backup license as a package."

"Among Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and Db2, Microsoft SQL Server is the cheapest one, and Oracle is the most expensive one. Db2 is in the middle. As compared to SQL Server, its price could go down. It will be good for customers."

"I rate the price of the IBM Db2 Database an eight out of ten."

"Licensing fees are on a yearly basis."

"They are competitive and honest (compared to how peer firms approach licensing conversations). "

"It is expensive. The price depends on the size of the machine on which you are installing the Db2 and the features you are using. It also depends on the country. IBM has different policies and different options for payment for this product."

"If I consider the price of IBM Db2 Database, I would say there are cheaper products in the market."

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

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

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

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

"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."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

61%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Government

Educational Organization

66%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Retailer

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

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.

See all answers

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.

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM Db2 Database?

The user interface is old and needs to be improved. It doesn't match the responsive and suggestion-rich UI of cloud solutions. New functions don't come to mind.

See all answers

What do you like most about IBM Informix?

It supports multiple applications and business intelligence tools.

See all answers

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

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

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM Informix?

The key areas for improvement revolve around understanding the current customer trends and demands, particularly in software and database requirements. The product's performance could be better com...

See all answers

Comparisons

SQL Server vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 33% of the time

Oracle Database vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 19% of the time

SAP HANA vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 17% of the time

Teradata vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 14% of the time

Oracle Multitenant vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 2% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

Oracle Database vs IBM Informix

Compared 42% of the time

SQL Server vs IBM Informix

Compared 33% of the time

MySQL vs IBM Informix

Compared 10% of the time

MariaDB vs IBM Informix

Compared 6% of the time

More IBM Informix Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

March 2025

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Buyer's Guide

IBM Informix

March 2025

Download IBM Informix product report

Also Known As

DB2

Informix

Overview

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

IBM Informix is a widely used and scalable relational database management system designed to handle large amounts of data and high transaction volumes. It is known to provide exceptional performance, thanks to its Parallel Data Query Engine (PDQ) that enables parallel processing of queries and operations, significantly reducing response times for complex queries and large data sets. Additionally, Informix supports online operations like backup, restore, index maintenance, and table reorganization, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous availability.

Informix provides robust high availability and replication features, including shared-disk clustering, remote data replication, and high-availability data replication (HDR). These features ensure data redundancy, failover protection, and disaster recovery capabilities, making it a reliable choice for mission-critical applications. Furthermore, Informix offers specialized features for data warehousing and analytics, such as in-database analytics, data compression, and parallel load capabilities, making it suitable for business intelligence (BI) and data analysis applications.

Informix can be deployed as an embedded database, allowing it to be tightly integrated with applications and systems, reducing overhead and simplifying deployment. It includes workload management capabilities, enabling organizations to prioritize and manage different types of workloads, such as online transaction processing (OLTP) and analytical queries, ensuring efficient resource utilization and meeting service-level agreements (SLAs). Informix also provides robust security features, including role-based access control, data encryption, auditing, and compliance with industry standards like FIPS 140-2 and Common Criteria.

IBM

Sample Customers

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

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

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. IBM Informix

March 2025

Free Report: IBM Db2 Database vs. IBM Informix

Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Db2 Database vs. IBM Informix and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.

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