IBM Db2 Database vs Oracle Multitenant 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 #13 with an average rating of 9.0. IBM holds a 7.1% mindshare in SQL, compared to Oracle’s 0.6% 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 Multitenant

Read 19 Oracle Multitenant reviews

703 Views
386 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

Oracle Multitenant

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

DB2 and Oracle Multitenant operate in the enterprise database management space. DB2 seems to have an advantage in terms of flexibility and integration with IBM solutions, while Oracle Multitenant offers a seamless database management experience through its multitenancy capabilities.

Features: DB2 stands out with features such as powerful structured query language support with object tables, self-tuning memory management, and robust security. It also offers platform flexibility and reliable integration with IBM products like Websphere. Oracle Multitenant's key features include consolidating multiple databases within a single engine, ease of database upgrades, and the utility of pluggable databases which facilitate cloning processes and management.

Room for Improvement: DB2 could improve by increasing resources for learning and simplifying licensing and querying tools. There's a need for better web enablement to enhance user experience. Oracle Multitenant would benefit from more detailed I/O resource control and integration across all Oracle features. Users also mention the restrictive pricing structure and desire faster processes for handling large database plug/unplug operations.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both DB2 and Oracle are noted for reliability in deployment. DB2's support is considered comprehensive but slower, with challenges noted outside North America. Oracle's support is perceived as more efficient, providing quick resolutions to issues. DB2’s broad platform support also enhances deployment ease, whereas both solutions efficiently accommodate on-premises environments.

Pricing and ROI: While DB2 is often cheaper than Oracle, complexities in licensing and regional price disparities remain concerns. However, it offers competitive pricing for businesses using IBM Power Systems. Oracle Multitenant can be costlier due to extra feature fees, yet both solutions manifest significant ROI through long-term performance stability and minimal downtime. Each product’s financial benefits vary based on organizational choices and technical requirements.

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

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Multitenant

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 Multitenant

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

13th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

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 Multitenant is 0.6%, down from 0.6% 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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François Dernoncourt

Oracle Expert at Capgemini

Databases are automatically upgraded and cloning of pluggable databases requires just one command

Multitenant has a container database with many pluggable databases. A great feature is that you can upgrade the container to a more recent version and all the pluggable databases are automatically upgraded to that version. Previously it would have required an upgrade for each database. The second great feature is the clone which enables you to get the clone of pluggable databases with one command, as opposed to copying data from one place to another.

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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 valuable features include access path optimization, excellent performance, a robust locking mechanism, parallelism, and effective buffering in memory."

"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 most valuable feature is PowerPC support."

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

"The stability of IBM Db2 Database is stable. We have not faced any downtime in one year. Our work is mostly during business hours and during that time, we haven't faced any downtime."

"When you submit a ticket the response time is quick."

"The solution is a very stable relational database and has integration with legacy systems. It is a great product."

"Your iOS, your throughputs, your performance cycles, you cannot touch it with Microsoft or with Oracle scalability-wise. That is far and away the most scalable systems and the highest performing systems of the set of them."

More IBM Db2 Database pros

"Maintaining databases is a valuable feature for us."

"You can scale the solution as needed."

"The database becomes pluggable. Inside this container is called a pluggable database and each application contains this pluggable database inside Multitenant. We can then share resources like control files, memory, etc. This lets you stop and start each application without impacting the others. This resource sharing is the most valuable feature"

"I would rate the scalability a ten out of ten. Our clients are mostly medium and enterprise businesses."

"The most valuable features are the speed and ease of use."

"Multitenant has a container database with many pluggable databases."

"It is quite stable. We have not faced any kind of instability in the database."

"The best thing about Oracle Multitenant is its ability to consolidate multiple databases into one engine."

More Oracle Multitenant pros

Cons

"The vendor should offer a free version"

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

"The problem with this environment is that any software that you install is very costly because there are no free tools for this environment."

"The user interface is not user-friendly."

"They should develop its containerized version."

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

"The command line part of this solution could be much better."

"Their view of it is they're maintaining it, they're continuing to upgrade it, they're continuing to grow it, however, they don't go out and try and sell that as an architectural solution the way they do Linux and Unix."

More IBM Db2 Database cons

"While the product is overall excellent, it is quite expensive."

"The solution lacks a GUI for commands."

"It can be complicated to scale up the solution, but it's scalable."

"This solution is a bit complicated when collecting from containers - that feature should be a bit better."

"That said, Oracle in general doesn't invest in their UI for any of their applications. If we're talking about the dashboard or other user experience, there is room for improvement. I'm talking about on premises. The cloud version has started to improve."

"The user interface for this solution can be made better."

"Technical support could be faster."

"There is room for improvement in customer service and support."

More Oracle Multitenant cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is expensive."

"Clients are required to purchase a license."

"The solution costs less than other products."

"I think that everyone knows that with IBM the standard price is higher than the others."

"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."

"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."

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

"The price is worth the quality."

"For me, I will go with it if I have the budget. Some features are nicer than before, but at the end of the day, you always have a limited budget. I prefer to upgrade and get a specific hardware when possible. At the end, you will have to make a compromise. You will not get everything you would have liked to have."

"This solution is a little bit pricey."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

61%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

25%

Hospitality Company

Healthcare Company

Manufacturing Company

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 Multitenant?

The best thing about Oracle Multitenant is its ability to consolidate multiple databases into one engine.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Multitenant?

I am not connected to the financial aspects, so I am unable to provide details.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Oracle Multitenant?

There are many functions where changes are not easy to implement, and we try to avoid modifying these areas due to security issues and the complexity of maintaining them. Also, support can be impro...

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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

IBM Netezza Performance Server vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 2% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

SQL Server vs Oracle Multitenant

Compared 41% of the time

More Oracle Multitenant Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

March 2025

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Multitenant

March 2025

Download Oracle Multitenant product report

Also Known As

DB2

Oracle Pluggable Database

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 Multitenant - an Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition option – introduces a new architecture that enables customers to easily consolidate multiple databases, without changing their applications. This new architecture delivers all the benefits of managing many databases as one, yet retains the isolation and resource prioritization of separate databases. In addition, Oracle Multitenant enables rapid provisioning and upgrades, and fully complements other options including Oracle Real Application Clusters and Active Data Guard.

For more information on Oracle Multitenant, 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

An Post, National Oilwell Varco, SAS Institute, Sportmaster, Y-Telecom

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Multitenant

March 2025

Free Report: IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Multitenant

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