IBM Db2 Database vs Oracle Java DB comparison

IBM and Oracle are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. IBM is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.4, while Oracle is ranked #21 with an average rating of 9.0. IBM holds a 6.6% mindshare in SQL, compared to Oracle’s 1.2% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 71% of Oracle users who would recommend it.

IBM Db2 Database

Read 75 IBM Db2 Database reviews

3,607 Views
3,463 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Oracle Java DB

Read 9 Oracle Java DB reviews

636 Views
611 Comparison Views

71% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

Oracle Java DB

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

IBM Db2 Database and Oracle Java DB compete in the database management space. IBM Db2 has a potential advantage with its pricing and extensive support, while Oracle Java DB is appealing for its advanced functionalities.

Features: IBM Db2 Database offers optimized performance, robust security measures, and integration with AI capabilities. It supports multiple platforms and provides a powerful SQL dialect with object tables and Java method support. Oracle Java DB integrates seamlessly with Java, has lightweight operations, and offers great portability for developers who prioritize simplicity and flexibility.

Room for Improvement: IBM Db2 could improve in terms of initial setup complexity, enhancing user experience with a smoother configuration process. Additionally, simplifying its interface and reducing costs for smaller businesses would be beneficial. Oracle Java DB might enhance its performance under high workloads, increase its scalability options, and offer broader integration capabilities beyond Java, expanding its reach for diverse developer needs.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Oracle Java DB is known for a straightforward deployment process, reducing setup complexities. It aligns with a lightweight service model that focuses on simplicity and rapid deployment. IBM Db2, with its more involved configuration process, compensates through detailed support, ensuring users can navigate the complex setup successfully.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Db2 may require higher initial costs but offers significant ROI through its analytics and AI capabilities, driving business insights. Oracle Java DB, more cost-effective with minimal upfront investment, is suited for projects with budget constraints, providing a balanced cost-benefit ratio that attracts developers seeking straightforward solutions.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Java DB Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Java DB

December 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

5th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Oracle Java DB

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

21st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

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 IBM Db2 Database is 6.6%, down from 6.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Java DB is 1.2%, up from 0.7% 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%
Oracle Java DB	1.2%
Other	92.2%

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

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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Anil-Sinha

Senior Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Able to process all the reporting and processing in the database itself

We have been upgrading and moving to new environments. I was involved in the solution's initial setup. Some things in the setup are very smooth sailing. However, some setups become complicated because what they set up doesn't meet your needs. So, some tweaking is necessary in certain instances. Having a good understanding of the tool really helps. Oracle Java DB is easy to deploy if it's a new setup. Migrating from an old environment to a new environment takes time because you need the old functionality. A first-time deployment of the application is easy. We just did a default setup and started using it. When we have to migrate, there is too much baggage behind that application, especially from the security point of view.

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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 solution's security is very tough and impenetrable."

"The most valuable features are the simplicity of the database and the access to Db2 and Db2 information."

"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."

"IBM DB2 pureScale Feature is valuable."

"The self-management and optimization features are probably the best on the market"

"The solution's initial setup is straightforward."

"The IBM Db2 Database is trusted, and IT effort is less than any other product."

"Some of the most valuable features are the scaling from a small very cheap installation to a very large enterprise installation. In addition, the backups and assistance are good."

More IBM Db2 Database pros

"It's very clever."

"The solution is stable."

"The most valuable feature is automation."

"The database is quite robust in terms of performance from the SQL side."

"It has a programming language so anything that we require for Selenium is all available there."

"There have been no issues in relation to stability. We've never really had do to any recoveries. It is very stable."

"The additional value of having Java inside the Oracle database is all the security that is applied to an Oracle database will be enforced on Java's stored procedures as well."

"The valuable features include connecting to the database and retrieving data."

More Oracle Java DB pros

Cons

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

"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."

"The data table names are very short which is not user-friendly compared to the Oracle SQL server. It should have longer column and table names."

"They should develop its containerized version."

"The solution's data retrieval speed could be improved, especially for heavy queries. Better optimization or indexing might also be involved."

"I would like to see better support for advanced analytics."

"The management of Db2 should be simplified because there are not too many specialists in this area, and the learning curve of Db2 specialists is very long. After the courses, probably it takes one and a half or two years to get to the point when you are using the product properly in the production systems. So, the complexity is very high, and the most important thing is to simplify the management of the product, including self-maintenance. They should simplify the installation, management, and monitoring to simplify the product. It takes too long for a person to be a specialist in this product."

"Also, the website could be more intuitive. I didn't find it easy to find documentation on the website."

More IBM Db2 Database cons

"It'll be better if Oracle Java supports open source technologies, like Node.js."

"The solution could be more user-friendly."

"The solution should continue to keep updating and improving the Java language."

"In terms of improvement, I'd like an automation tool that is lower priced. The core prices are very high."

"Oracle can improve by providing more connection string variations and relay servers on the path to the database."

"The tool might be integrated, but we see performance issues because of overhead."

"Needs improvement in consistency issues with respect to timeframes."

"The biggest lesson that I have learned from using Oracle products is vendor lock-in."

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

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

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

"We normally handle large size businesses and as far as I am aware, the license is negotiable based on the number of users and the quantitative data."

"We purchase the product's yearly license."

"I rate the product pricing a nine out of ten."

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

"Compared to other databases, Db2 is relatively cheaper."

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

"Oracle Java DB is a pricey solution."

"The product's pricing is very friendly, with no extra costs after the licensing fees."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

18%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Government

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

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

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	6

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.

See all answers

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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What needs improvement with Oracle Java DB?

Oracle can improve by providing more connection string variations and relay servers on the path to the database. Various ways of connecting would enhance functionality.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Oracle Java DB?

I have experience connecting to a database with Java by using Java code and interrogating the database.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Oracle Java DB?

It's important to consider several settings and connection strings, as well as firewall rules when connecting to the database. I would rate the overall solution nine out of ten.

See all answers

Comparisons

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

MySQL vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 5% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

MySQL vs Oracle Java DB

Compared 27% of the time

Oracle Database vs Oracle Java DB

Compared 18% of the time

Apache Derby vs Oracle Java DB

Compared 11% of the time

IBM solidDB vs Oracle Java DB

Compared 9% of the time

SAP HANA vs Oracle Java DB

Compared 9% of the time

More Oracle Java DB Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

January 2026

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Buyer's Guide

Relational Databases Tools

January 2026

Download Oracle Java DB 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

Java DB is a relational database management system (RDBMS). Data is stored and queried via SQL or JDBC. Like other RDBMSs, Java DB can also be accessed through a persistence layer such as JPA, Hibernate, or JDO. Java objects can be stored in the columns of Java DB tables.

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

Université Nice Sophia Antipolis

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Java DB

December 2025

Free Report: IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Java DB

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