MariaDB vs MySQL comparison

MariaDB and Oracle are both solutions in the Open Source Databases category. MariaDB is ranked #4 with an average rating of 7.9, while Oracle is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.6. MariaDB holds a 6.5% mindshare in OSD, compared to Oracle’s 11.4% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of MariaDB users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of Oracle users who would recommend it.

MariaDB

Read 59 MariaDB reviews

4,149 Views
3,815 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

MySQL

Read 148 MySQL reviews

7,469 Views
5,812 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

MariaDB

MySQL

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 23, 2025

MySQL and MariaDB are both contenders in the open-source database category. MariaDB holds an edge by offering improved performance and innovative features over MySQL in community-driven environments.

Features: MySQL is recognized for its multi-threaded architecture, compatibility with LAMP/WAMP stacks, and advanced features like replication and stored procedures, making it suitable for small to medium applications. MariaDB enhances performance with features like Galera Cluster for multi-master replication, offers better query optimization, and is appreciated for its community-driven innovations.

Room for Improvement: MySQL faces challenges with the complexity of InnoDB, weaker replication capabilities, and limited transactional support in MyISAM. MariaDB, although generally faster, struggles with long, complex queries and shows instability in some configurations. MySQL aims to improve transaction efficiency, while MariaDB focuses on flexible clustering and stability.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both MySQL and MariaDB offer flexible deployment options across on-premises and cloud environments. MySQL integrates seamlessly in LAMP stacks, while MariaDB excels in hybrid setups thanks to enhancements over MySQL. Each product benefits from community support, but structured commercial support is stronger under Oracle for MySQL, whereas MariaDB offers optional paid assistance alongside community-driven support.

Pricing and ROI: MySQL is free under a GPL license, with enterprise editions requiring a commercial license, appealing to startups for its affordability. MariaDB, along with its community version being free, offers commercial licenses and subscriptions for enhanced features and support. Both deliver strong ROI due to their robust performance without significant upfront costs, with MariaDB's affordability and flexibility increasingly appealing to enterprises.

To learn more, read our detailed MariaDB vs. MySQL Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

MariaDB vs. MySQL

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

MariaDB

Ranking in Open Source Databases

4th

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

5th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

MySQL

Ranking in Open Source Databases

1st

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

3rd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

148

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Open Source Databases category, the mindshare of MariaDB is 6.5%, down from 12.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MySQL is 11.4%, down from 18.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Open Source Databases

Featured Reviews

KumarManish

Senior Technical Manager at Johnson Controls, Inc.

Easy to deploy, cost-effective, and integrates seamlessly with other products

We had planned for an RDBMS version and not NoSQL. We use MariaDB Galera Cluster. It's a good product. It is cheap, scalable, performs well, and is efficient. We use GCP’s BigQuery for machine learning. We must follow the best practices of the tool. We missed some best practices like the storage engine and InnoDB. It was very difficult to identify why we were having performance issues. Then, we realized that some of our tables were still on MyISAM, the default storage engine. When we switched it back to the InnoDB, it was very smooth. InnoDB is the recommended one. We must follow the best practices given in the documentation during the initial setup. Overall, I rate the product a nine out of ten.

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Muzzamil Hussain

Assistant Vice President at National Bank of Pakistan

Native encryption ensures secure data management with a simple deployment

The most valuable feature is the on-premises data encryption facilities. By default, we can provide encryption, and this feature in MySQL is why we prefer it over other databases. The native encryption in MySQL encourages us to use this database model more frequently compared to Oracle and other databases. With Oracle, we have to buy another solution for encryption and masking, but MySQL supports native encryption, which enhances our return on investment. It perfectly supports our ROI, and we have no issues with its functionality.

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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 high availability is its most valuable aspect."

"There is the need for a robust IDE for MongoDB. The existing PHP admin console doesn't meet the client's requirements effectively."

"One of the great features of MariaDB is its scalability. It's easy to handle even with large databases."

"The most valuable feature of MariaDB is the replication mode."

"The initial setup of MariaDB is simple enough."

"I haven't faced any technical issues with the product, and it works fine."

"It delivers fast processing times, particularly for frequent select queries and insert/update operations."

"What I like best about MariaDB is that it is open-source and reliable."

More MariaDB pros

"It has a lot of features. The RDBMS, consistency, and multi-user features are valuable."

"When comparing MySQL to other solutions it is easier to use and boots up faster. Additionally, when you want to query a lot of data, MySQL is better in performance."

"This product is a good teaching tool for students who want to learn about networked databases."

"I would use MySQL for a medium project, with around 1,00,000 hundred thousand users, because of the indexing and stored procedures."

"The most valuable features are that it's free and the documentation is good."

"It is free, which is probably its most valuable feature. It is a pretty full-featured relational database. It really does everything we need it to do."

"The solution is a small application and is very easy to deploy."

"It's a mature solution that's been around for decades."

More MySQL pros

Cons

"The license should be cheaper and closer to that offered by MySQL, Oracle and other products."

"Lacks time series data and additional driving support would be helpful."

"There is room for improvement in terms of security."

"It should work across all fields like SQLite, as it is the basis of any application, even apps for phones and the like."

"I’m not sure if it can scale."

"There is not much support available."

"MariaDB could be improved by adding more automation."

"An improvement would be scaling it up to the levels of Oracle, especially when it comes to resilience, so that we can do higher transactions for two databases or power our operation."

More MariaDB cons

"Integration is a key feature in need of improvement."

"It should have some code analytical functions. It can also have a monitoring tool."

"The backup methods need improvement."

"The GUI could improve to make MySQL better."

"I find the Microsoft solution a bit better. But mostly in terms of the UI layout, I would say. I just find it a little bit more efficient."

"In terms of what I'd like to see in the next release, one thing that's always missing is dash boarding. There's no real BI tool for MySQL, like there is in Yellowfin and all the different tools that you get. They all have MySQL connectors, but there's no specific BI tool for MySQL. These open source projects have sprung up, but they're more general purpose."

"The interface could be improved."

"The solution is expensive."

More MySQL cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is an open-source solution."

"We pay for a yearly license."

"The licensing cost is approximately $4000.00 per year and the licensing is based on the software and the number of posts that you make."

"When it comes to MariaDB, it should have a more cost-effective license."

"I used the open-source version, which is available free of charge."

"MariaDB is a free-to-use solution."

"This is an open-source product, which can be used free of charge."

"The cost is quite good. You can have the open source, free version, which has adequate capacity."

More MariaDB pricing and cost advice

"MySQL is released under an open-source license, so you have nothing to pay to use it."

"I don't pay for a license."

"For the on-premise version, no license is required."

"The pricing falls within the moderate range."

"MySQL Enterprise Support is not cheap, though might still be cheaper than Oracle or SQL Server. They may not have local support depending on where you’re based, but there are many smaller agencies out there that will readily provide support. You’ll need to spend some time looking around."

"We are using the free community edition of MySQL."

"Can range from free to quite expensive, depending on the environments and requirements, so better to really set goals ahead of setting it up."

"There is no licensing fee."

More MySQL pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about MariaDB?

The integration with other products is seamless.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for MariaDB?

I have found the price of commercial MariaDB to be pretty steep, although not as high as Oracle. Customers often prefer the Community Edition because it's free.

See all answers

What needs improvement with MariaDB?

The only potential area for improvement could be the pricing model, which might benefit from being more flexible or a bit cheaper.

See all answers

Why are MySQL connections encrypted and what is the biggest benefit of this?

MySQL encrypts connections to protect your data and the biggest benefit from this is that nobody can corrupt it. If you move information over a network without encryption, you are endangering it, m...

See all answers

Considering that there is a free version of MySQL, would you invest in one of the paid editions?

I may be considered a MySQL veteran since I have been using it since before Oracle bought it and created paid versions. So back in my day, it was all free, it was open-source and the best among sim...

See all answers

What is one thing you would improve with MySQL?

One thing I would improve related to MySQL is not within the product itself, but with the guides to it. Before, when it was free, everyone was on their own, seeking tutorials and how-to videos onli...

See all answers

Comparisons

SQL Server vs MariaDB

Compared 25% of the time

Firebird SQL vs MariaDB

Compared 22% of the time

PostgreSQL vs MariaDB

Compared 13% of the time

Oracle Database vs MariaDB

Compared 10% of the time

Percona Server vs MariaDB

Compared 5% of the time

More MariaDB Competitors

Firebird SQL vs MySQL

Compared 28% of the time

PostgreSQL vs MySQL

Compared 16% of the time

SAP HANA vs MySQL

Compared 8% of the time

Teradata vs MySQL

Compared 6% of the time

SQL Server vs MySQL

Compared 5% of the time

More MySQL Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

MariaDB

March 2025

Download MariaDB product report

Buyer's Guide

MySQL

March 2025

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Overview

MariaDB is an open source relational database created by the original founders of MySQL. It is considered one of the most popular and trusted database servers throughout the world. MariaDB is a valued component found in most cloud offerings and is the default in many Linux tools. It is also widely used by Wikipedia, WordPress, and Google, among other well-known sites. Maria DB easily melds data into concise information from a vast array of applications, such as banking, online shopping, websites, and more.

MariaDB was originally created to improve MySQL performance. It is the most widely chosen database server due to the solution being super fast, robust, user-friendly, and easily scalable. MariaDB also offers a substantial ecosystem of plugins, storage engines, and numerous other valuable tools that make it very attractive for a significant offering of use cases.

The solution’s newest functionalities include compatibility with Oracle Database and Temporal Data Tables, and advanced clustering with Galera Cluster 4, which make it easier for users to research data history from any point in the past. Additionally, the most recent versions include JSON and GIS features. MariaDB is committed to staying an open source solution.

MariaDB Features

More storage: MariaDB works with more storage engines than MySQL and most other database servers available. Some storage options include, but are not limited to ARCHIVE, MERGE, CSV, MEMORY, BLACKHOLE, MyISAM, ColumnStore, MyRocks, and Cassandra.
Super fast: MariaDB offers faster authentication checks. The FlushSSL permits SSL certificates to be reloaded without a server restart, resulting in huge time savings.
Improved testing: MariaDB offers an extending testing suite that runs faster and can test more than ever before. Bugs can be easily fixed and invalid tests removed.
Genuinely open source: Every code in MariaDB is GPL, LGPL, or BSD. Client libraries [for Windows (ODBC), Java (JDBC), or C] allow linking to closed source software. All fixed bug cases and development plans are completely public. MariaDB is a community-developed solution representing the true spirit of open source products.

Reviews from Real Users

Faustine C., Engineering Supervisor- Corporate Data Solutions and Services at TZ Telecoms Corporation, shares, “The software provides a lot of information on what is happening inside the database. For most performance parameters it is easy to know if something is not right in the configuration or optimization which helps engineers take remedial fine-tuning measures. For example, if the database is underperforming it is easy to know which performance parameter can be adjusted to handle the workload. It is difficult to troubleshoot database issues if many performance parameters can not be monitored or debugged which is the case with some database management systems. It provides great monitoring of data storage, processing, and performance stability which is really important for real-time data storage and processing. It's a user-friendly product.”

A PeerSpot user who is a Senior Engineer at a tech services company relates, “ The solution's high availability is its most valuable aspect. We have found the product to be stable and the initial setup is pretty simple. I'd rate the solution at a ten out of ten. I'm very happy with it overall. I would recommend the solution to others. It's easy to find details about the product online and to learn about it.”

MariaDB

MySQL is a cost-efficient and scalable relational database management system widely used in web, mobile applications, and academic projects.

MySQL is utilized for backend operations, data analysis, reporting, financial transactions, and ERP databases. It supports deployment on local servers, Cloud, and Kubernetes. Its free, open-source nature along with strong community support make it popular among companies. MySQL's compatibility with multiple platforms and programming languages enhances its appeal. While it remains stable and easy to use, areas such as replication, clustering, and backup require improvement to better serve enterprise applications. Enhanced security, error messages, and monitoring tools are also desired for a better user experience.

What are the most important features of MySQL?

Free and Open-Source: No licensing costs, perfect for budget-conscious projects.
Compatibility: Works with multiple platforms and programming languages.
High Performance: Efficient performance across large datasets.
Scalability: Easily scales to meet growing business needs.
Clustering and Replication: Ensures data availability and redundancy.
Easy Installation: Quick setup process on various operating systems.
Community Support: Extensive resources and community assistance.
Cross-Platform: Operates seamlessly on different operating systems.
Data Management Interface: Simplifies data handling and manipulation.

What are the benefits of using MySQL?

Cost Efficiency: Reduce expenses with a free, open-source database.
Scalability: Adapt to increasing data demands effortlessly.
Performance: Handle large datasets with ease and speed.
Community Support: Access a vast pool of knowledge and resources.
Flexibility: Integrate with various platforms and languages for diverse use cases.
Data Reliability: Clustering and replication for high data availability.

In multiple industries, MySQL supports internal applications, billing systems, academic teaching purposes, and ERP databases. Companies leverage MySQL for Cloud and local deployments, ensuring effective data manipulation and backend operations in diverse projects. Its role in financial transactions and reporting further emphasizes its versatility.

Oracle

Sample Customers

Google, Wikipedia, Tencent, Verizon, DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, Telefónica, Huatai Securities

Facebook, Tumblr, Scholastic, MTV Networks, Wikipedia, Verizon Wireless, Sage Group, Glassfish Open Message Queue, and RightNow Technologies.

Buyer's Guide

MariaDB vs. MySQL

March 2025

Free Report: MariaDB vs. MySQL

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