IBM Db2 Database vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise comparison

IBM and SAP are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. IBM is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.3, while SAP is ranked #21 with an average rating of 7.5. IBM holds a 7.6% mindshare in SQL, compared to SAP’s 0.9% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SAP users who would recommend it.

IBM Db2 Database

Read 75 IBM Db2 Database reviews

4,335 Views
4,162 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Read 12 SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise reviews

955 Views
926 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise and IBM Db2 Database are both key players in the enterprise database management sector. Based on the data, IBM Db2 seems to have an upper hand due to its advanced features and functionalities which are considered worth the price by many users.

Features: SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is known for its performance optimization, ease of integration with SAP environments, and transactions handling. IBM Db2 Database offers robust analytics capabilities, self-tuning memory management, and advanced data management features, providing strong analytics support.

Room for Improvement: SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise could improve its update cycle, enhance its feature set to match competitors, and expand support beyond SAP-centric integrations. IBM Db2 Database might benefit from streamlining deployment processes, enhancing user interface design, and refining pricing documentation for better cost justification.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is praised for seamless SAP application integration and strong customer service for ERP users. IBM Db2 is noted for its versatile deployment models and extensive support network, backed by comprehensive documentation, fitting diverse applications and industries.

Pricing and ROI: SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is often highlighted for its competitive pricing in SAP environments, offering potential for quicker ROI. IBM Db2, despite its higher initial cost, is known for delivering long-term value with its comprehensive features, leading to better ROI over extended periods.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

July 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

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

21st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of IBM Db2 Database is 7.6%, up from 6.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is 0.9%, down from 1.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

Michael Raz

Consultant at Discount Bank

Efficient access path optimization and performance excellence with helpful support

IBM Db2 for zOS serves as the central database for all the core business applications in the two banks I work with. All applications use Db2 as a data server. We fully implement and utilize most of Db2's functionalities and capabilities for core banking business applications IBM Db2 has…

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Tejas Raj

Manager at Capgemini

Offers cost-efficiency as it needs a very small amount of RAM to function

SAP is least bothered about Adaptive Server Enterprise nowadays since it wants to focus on promoting its new product, which is S/4HANA. If SAP gives out new releases and a patch upgrade to improve performance and provide additional options, then SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise can compete with other relational database systems in the market. The overall performance of the product is an area where the tool has certain shortcomings and needs to improve. I work in a very stable environment, and I prefer a very stable replication and database management system. Most of our company's customers do not want to opt out of SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise, but SAP has announced that it will be ending its support for it in 2027, and though I feel SAP might extend it, I feel SAP will want to promote its new product. Previously, I heard that SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise's end-of-support dates were announced for 2025, but now I think that they have extended it to 2027 or 2030.

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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 feature is PowerPC support."

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

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

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

"We are dealing with millions of transactions a month and the performance is very good."

"It is quite a stable solution."

"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."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is its compatibility with IBM Power Systems."

More IBM Db2 Database pros

"I like that SAP ASE can match code and the database index to index data in the programming language. There are many other valuable features, such as the table buffer, tuning, and various control agents like dispatcher. SAP ASE can handle many different data types, including views, domains, data elements, structures, objects, and various table types that are most useful in the application. Its modularization technique is also handy."

"It's pretty good at handling a large number of transactions, which is critical for a banking client."

"They provide easy integration with other systems."

"This is a wonderful database that is, in my opinion, underrated. Users are able to get the most out of my experience by taking advantage of its centralized environment."

"The most valuable part of the tool stems from the fact that it is a very cost-efficient product compared to the newer technologies because it needs a very small amount of RAM."

"SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is a good transactional database."

"It's user-friendly, especially in the logistics field."

"The actual interface is good."

More SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise pros

Cons

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

"They could enhance the product's cloud integration and general-purpose database capabilities."

"IBM Db2 Database could improve with better security."

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

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

"In terms of improvements, IBM Db2 can improve its interface and its functionality. Also, the embedded functions should be much richer than the current ones - the functions which are embedded in the engine itself."

"Its process of building up queries could be more accessible."

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

More IBM Db2 Database cons

"SAP should refine its debugging method, and the process needs to be a little faster. It should use more Pragmas and fewer pseudocomments. I would like if SAP added more features based on advanced technologies, like artificial intelligence and voice control. The modularization and if-else techniques could also incorporate the latest technology to code and solve complex problems. The SAP Editor should be more elaborative, and it should allow many more types of statements for all uses."

"User interface could be more user friendly."

"Because the solution is customized. we do occasionally face unique bugs. There are always some changes that need to be made here and there."

"Cost-wise, SAP is still expensive compared to other available products."

"There could be some improvements in barcode scanning and RFID access."

"I think that the solution needs to be positioned better within the market as it appears as though the Adaptive Server is being left out of the SAP scope."

"The solution should improve view partitioning. The documentation is very confined and available only for users. Distributors also would like access to it."

"In my opinion, product support is not that great from SAP because they have already declared the end-of-date for SAP ASE. They will be stopping product support."

More SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"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."

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

"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."

"There is a license for this solution and we pay every three years."

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

"The solution costs less than other products."

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

"The licensing cost for ASE is pretty low."

"I rate SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise's pricing a six out of ten."

"Price-wise, the product is worth it since one needs very less infrastructure to use it."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

20%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Government

10%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Computer Software 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.

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 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 do you like most about SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is a good transactional database.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

The licensing cost for ASE is pretty low when you compare it with Microsoft SQL Server. If you compare it with SQL Server, it is pretty low.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

The main thing is it's not getting upgraded to meet today's needs. It's not upgrading at the level of transaction needs. For example, PostgreSQL or Oracle, these are pretty good databases. They can...

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 13% of the time

Teradata vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 13% of the time

MySQL vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 6% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

SAP HANA vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 43% of the time

Oracle Database vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 15% of the time

SAP IQ vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 15% of the time

SAP SQL Anywhere vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 14% of the time

SQL Server vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 13% of the time

More SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

August 2025

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Buyer's Guide

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

July 2025

Download SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise product report

Also Known As

DB2

SAP ASE

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

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) is a high-performance relational database management system designed for mission-critical, data-intensive environments. It provides a centralized environment for storing and managing data, with the ability to handle a wide range of data types and a modularization technique allowing easy customization.

SAP ASE is particularly valuable for financial operations, as it offers integrated financial features. The solution also offers various control agents and the ability to match code and database index. SAP ASE has improved daily data collection and program functionality for many organizations.

SAP

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

City of Buenos Aires, ASR Group, Citrix, EarlySense, Usha International Limited, Automotive Resources International (ARI), Takisada-Osaka Co. Ltd., Coelba (Grupo Neoenergia), RZD Russian Railways, National Basketball Association - NBA, TALLY

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

July 2025

Free Report: IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.

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