IBM Db2 Database vs Oracle Database In-Memory comparison

IBM and Oracle are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. IBM is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.1, while Oracle is ranked #9 with an average rating of 9.2. IBM holds a 7.1% mindshare in SQL, compared to Oracle’s 1.5% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Oracle 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

Oracle Database In-Memory

Read 31 Oracle Database In-Memory reviews

992 Views
782 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

Oracle Database In-Memory

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

IBM Db2 Database and Oracle Database In-Memory compete in the enterprise database management category. Based on the comparison, IBM Db2 seems to have an advantage in flexibility and integration, whereas Oracle leads in speed and performance for analytics.

Features: IBM Db2 Database offers a versatile SQL dialect with object tables, Java method support, and user-defined functions. Its broad platform support provides flexibility across diverse environments, and its self-tuning memory management optimizes performance automatically. Oracle Database In-Memory is recognized for real-time analytics capabilities and fast performance in data warehouses due to its columnar format for queries. Its multitenant features facilitate easy database consolidation and cloning.

Room for Improvement: IBM Db2 faces challenges with a steep learning curve and difficulty in finding skilled administrators. Licensing complexity and costs are additional concerns, and there is a need for improvements in the database management interface and backup processes. Oracle Database In-Memory could improve its pricing models and adaptability, making costs lower and more automation in analytics desirable, especially for smaller businesses. AI integration and user interface enhancements are areas for both products to consider.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM Db2 primarily offers on-premises deployments with some hybrid cloud instances. It provides strong technical support but faces availability issues outside North America. Oracle Database In-Memory offers both on-premises and hybrid cloud solutions. While it has reliable customer service, pricing and technical support may lack transparency. IBM's support is praised for its knowledge, whereas Oracle customers appreciate quick issue resolution.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Db2's pricing is high but offers bundled packages for cost-effectiveness, generally costing less than Oracle and providing better ROI through integrated solutions. Oracle Database In-Memory is known for being expensive despite including significant features in its Enterprise edition. While both systems demonstrate substantial ROI, IBM's pricing is more competitive, whereas Oracle delivers speed and performance at a higher cost.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Database In-Memory Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Database In-Memory

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

Oracle Database In-Memory

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

9th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

7.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Embedded Database (3rd)

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 Oracle Database In-Memory is 1.5%, up from 1.1% 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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Laksiri Bala

DB Architect / Consultant at Virtusa Global

Faster processing and improved memory operations have enhanced transaction and analytics efficiency

The valuable features of Oracle Database In-Memory ( /products/oracle-database-in-memory-reviews ) include its capability to bypass disk storage for faster memory operations, which is critical for transactions and analytics. It also offers specific memory areas, like in-memory cache, that act as intermediaries between disk and buffer cache. This feature helps organizations handle real-time memory requirements effectively.

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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

"The most valuable features are with the industrial side."

"The most valuable feature of IBM Db2 Database is its ability to perform automatic self-management, reducing the need for manual tasks such as managing logs and folders."

"As part of your licensing with IBM, you get access to their case system, which lets you raise incidents related to software or hardware. This system is helpful for problem determination and quickly identifying issues."

"Scales well enough for a relational database."

"We had a crash of the backup system and the IBM DB2 was always up and consistent. It's robust, and for us, it was always up and running."

"Db2's best features are that it's self-maintaining and self-monitoring, which means I have to view and monitor the database far less often."

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

"IBM Db2 was much cheaper as a package than using other products. This is because IBM supplied a package with its product. It's an application. So it was much more efficient and a stronger competitor in that regard."

More IBM Db2 Database pros

"The valuable features of Oracle Database In-Memory include its capability to bypass disk storage for faster memory operations, which is critical for transactions and analytics."

"Normally, every database server uses hard disks. In-Memory has a feature, apart from their database, which is very good. When we start our server, all your data needs loading memory. We can use that. It's a very good feature. I think they added this feature in 2019. We can mount memory in the partition, create partitions in there, and create table space from that spot to share. It's a really good feature. We use it a lot."

"The application development is very user-friendly."

"The solution's ROI is excellent."

"The solution's most valuable feature is its performance optimization within our hardware environment."

"It accelerates query processing, which in turn speeds up operations and streamlines workflow, and ultimately enhancing productivity."

"We find the dashboard and the speed of data processing very valuable in Oracle Database In-Memory."

"I like Oracle because it is a backward-compatible solution."

More Oracle Database In-Memory pros

Cons

"IBM Db2 Database could improve the user-defined functions. There are some user-defined functions that are missing, such as the spring functions. I used to have Teradata for my projects and I was used to working in the environment. They had a good set of user-defined functions."

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

"It would be helpful to have more querying tools and more development tools for us to work easily with Microsoft."

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

"The capabilities of this solution could improve."

"The application development requires a Java developer and not every company has these resources."

"The product needs to improve its configuration and storage."

"There are some issues with Db2's database file system not being readable. The storage could also be increased, and the monitoring could be improved."

More IBM Db2 Database cons

"I would like Oracle Database In-Memory to include a data replication feature."

"Technical support is below our expectations currently. It could be improved."

"We use some partitions in In-Memory. We have a very large table and a low dose. It is very expensive in data to load all of them into In-Memory. It takes up more memory slots in the server, as well as a lot of RAM. We use last partitions on the table. We always need to create a script and make a schedule that can load a last partition in In-Memory. Oracle doesn't have features to do this automatically. I would like them to allow us to load last partitions, as well as other table partitions, in In-Memory. I think a good feature would do that automatically, letting you see a table, load a large partition, and monitor loading memory. It's quite a good feature."

"Oracle Database In-Memory could improve by better supporting generative AI challenges, such as hallucination management."

"The dashboard requires some refreshment or configuration improvements."

"The pricing could be improved. It would ideal if it was more reasonable."

"We often have to find solutions on our own through the support site, so there's room for improvement in this regard."

"The product could benefit from enhancements in its graphical user interface."

More Oracle Database In-Memory cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution's hardware and subscription model for support are very expensive."

"It's very expensive."

"It's very expensive for West African countries like ours."

"It is expensive when compared to other products."

"We did not buy it. It came with our hardware without any complimentary maintenance. If I compare Db2 Database with Oracle Database, its price is lower than Oracle Database."

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

"Clients are required to purchase a license."

"Compared to Oracle, it is so much cheaper."

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

"The product is expensive."

"It's quite costly and it comes with a fixed price."

"The platform's licensing cost needs improvement."

"The solution's pricing is high."

"There is a need to make a yearly payment towards the licensing costs, after which there is any to pay towards the support cost attached to the solution."

"I rate the pricing a zero out of ten because Database In-Memory is too costly."

"Database In-Memory is priced a bit higher than its competitors like Microsoft."

"Oracle Database In-Memory is expensive."

More Oracle Database In-Memory pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

61%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

18%

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

Government

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.

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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 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.

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What do you like most about Oracle Database In-Memory?

We can integrate it with any data sources as well.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Database In-Memory?

Oracle Database In-Memory is very expensive. Additionally, there are extra costs for some features.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Oracle Database In-Memory?

The dashboard requires some refreshment or configuration improvements. Also, the pricing could be addressed.

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

Vertica vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 1% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

SAP HANA vs Oracle Database In-Memory

Compared 26% of the time

SQL Server vs Oracle Database In-Memory

Compared 16% of the time

DuckDB vs Oracle Database In-Memory

Compared 14% of the time

Progress OpenEdge RDBMS vs Oracle Database In-Memory

Compared 11% of the time

MySQL vs Oracle Database In-Memory

Compared 6% of the time

More Oracle Database In-Memory Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

March 2025

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Database In-Memory

March 2025

Download Oracle Database In-Memory product report

Also Known As

DB2

No data available

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

Oracle Database In-Memory transparently accelerates analytics by orders of magnitude while simultaneously speeding up mixed-workload OLTP. With Oracle Database In-Memory, users get immediate answers to business questions that previously took hours.

Oracle Database In-Memory delivers leading-edge in-memory performance without the need to restrict functionality, or accept compromises, complexity and risk. Deploying Oracle Database In-Memory with any existing Oracle Database compatible application is as easy as flipping a switch - no application changes are required. Oracle Database In-Memory is fully integrated with the Oracle Database’s renowned scale-up, scale-out, storage tiering, availability, and security technologies making it the most industrialstrength offering on the market.

The ability to easily perform real-time data analysis together with real-time transaction processing on all existing applications enables organizations to transform into Real-Time Enterprises that quickly make data-driven decisions, respond instantly to customer demands, and continuously optimize all key processes.

For more information on Oracle Database In-Memory, visit Oracle.com

Oracle

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

Shanghai Customs

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Database In-Memory

March 2025

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