MySQL vs SAP SQL Anywhere comparison

Oracle and SAP are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. Oracle is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.3, while SAP is ranked #35. Oracle holds a 6.2% mindshare in SQL, compared to SAP’s 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Oracle users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of SAP users who would recommend it.

MySQL

Read 152 MySQL reviews

16,824 Views
8,412 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

SAP SQL Anywhere

Read 6 SAP SQL Anywhere reviews

1,381 Views
1,284 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

MySQL

SAP SQL Anywhere

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

SAP SQL Anywhere and MySQL are both database management systems catering to different business needs, with MySQL often seen as superior due to its feature-rich offerings that justify its cost for a broader user base.

Features: SAP SQL Anywhere includes features like synchronization and mobile application support, making it ideal for remote and embedded environments. MySQL offers extensive scalability, data replication, and benefits from a strong community-driven development platform, making it broadly applicable.

Room for Improvement: SAP SQL Anywhere could improve its pricing model to be more competitive and expand its scalability options. It may also enhance community support as it relies on vendor support. MySQL, on the other hand, could simplify its deployment process for smaller setups, improve documentation for niche use cases, and enhance mobile app integration features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SAP SQL Anywhere provides an easier setup for smaller implementations, favoring those in need of lightweight databases. MySQL's complex architecture supports large-scale deployments, benefiting from an extensive community providing abundant resources. SAP offers direct vendor support, which is more tailored.

Pricing and ROI: SAP SQL Anywhere involves higher upfront costs but may offer better ROI for specialized deployments due to tailored support. MySQL, being open-source, usually incurs lower setup costs with its extensive features and scalability, resulting in efficient operations and potentially superior long-term ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed MySQL vs. SAP SQL Anywhere Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

MySQL vs. SAP SQL Anywhere

August 2026

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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

MySQL

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

4th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

152

Ranking in other categories

Open Source Databases (1st)

SAP SQL Anywhere

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

35th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of MySQL is 6.2%, down from 7.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAP SQL Anywhere is 1.4%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
MySQL	6.2%
SAP SQL Anywhere	1.4%
Other	92.4%

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

Prabir Kumar Kundu

SR AVP–Presales Cloud & Platform Management Services at Path Infotech ltd

Offers robust security and availability with impressive replication capabilities

Regarding their documentation and interface, there is room for improvement. Documentation is definitely required when running multiple databases on a cluster system. The load balancer, MySQL LB, which is used to connect to the application, lacks clear documentation. When there are multiple application servers connecting to the MySQL cluster and going through the MySQL load balancer, the documentation is not user-friendly. It's there, but only technical persons with deep knowledge of the MySQL database can implement it. Most of the community users or ISVs who use MySQL don't have many technical persons or DBA experts, so they face some challenges for the high availability of connecting high available databases from high available applications. That documentation should be simplified.

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Crewmem67

IT Consultant at College Notre Dame de Nazareth

Reliable and able to expand but needs to be more secure

It is not as good as a SQL Server. I prefer to work with the SQL Server for Microsoft or Oracle. These are better as there are some comments on SQL Anywhere that makes me feel that I'm blocked. We'd like to have them update to a new version. They should update more often. I find I can't move to a new version without running tests as there are chances of bugs that can get into my system. The initial setup is not simple or straightforward, and it took a while to deploy. It is not as secure as it could be. This is an aspect they need to improve. There needs to be more encryption.

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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

"ACID attributes are the most valuable feature, as data reliability is a top concern."

"The most valuable feature of MySQL is auto-scaling."

"MySQL has improved our internal procedures by providing high performance, ease of use, and cost savings."

"I rate the solution's stability a ten out of ten since it has been running flawlessly."

"It has a relational database system."

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

"We are completely comfortable with the database’s performance and it is a mature product. My organization was looking for an open-source database for our smaller customers like the community edition. For bigger customers, we can scale into commercial and supported editions."

"MySQL installation is more straightforward and streamlined; it is just a database engine that gives you what you need, and I like it."

More MySQL pros

"The auto-backup replication is a perfect feature. That is the feature I liked the most."

"It works well in general."

"The most valuable features of SAP SQL Anywhere are the ease of use and the user interface is intuitive."

"SAP SQL Anywhere is very helpful."

"It's a great product to use if you are already have an integration with SAP's ERP/CRM systems."

"We've found the solution very reliable overall. It's very fast."

"SQL Anywhere is easy and it did not cost as much as SQL Microsoft."

Cons

"I would rate the technical support as a five out of 10."

"In the next release, I would like to see the scalability features improved to allow you to configure it and reduce the complexity with the configuration, making it easier for the end-user to scale. Make it as simple as it can be."

"MySQL has a limited storage capacity. It doesn’t support large databases."

"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."

"Improvements are required in character set support, scalability, and big data sets."

"The full-text search feature must be improved."

"The licensing of the solution is on the expensive side."

"Security in the data files needs manipulation."

More MySQL cons

"The interface is not easy in comparison to the SQL Server. It could be more user-friendly."

"Performance issues when syncing the MBO packages to the server."

"SAP SQL Anywhere needs to incorporate functionalities like SAP S/4HANA."

"A problem we are experiencing now is when doing a backup in SQL 2012 and 14 there's a problem with the license."

"It is not as secure as it could be."

"It is not as secure as it could be; there needs to be more encryption and we can find passwords very easily."

"We have had some stability issues with SAP SQL Anywhere, but I am not sure if it is an application or network issue. We sometimes have a large amount of data being queried and it cannot handle it."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There is a licensing cost because we are going for a proprietary product. There are some other versions for which there is no licensing cost."

"There is no cost involved, no licensing fees."

"The tool is open source."

"It has a community version."

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

"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."

"It is open source. We prefer it for POCs because it saves the license cost."

"We are using the free community version of the solution."

More MySQL pricing and cost advice

"SAP SQL Anywhere is affordable."

"SQL Anywhere cost us about $400."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

Construction Company

Manufacturing Company

Outsourcing Company

University

Construction Company

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	74
Midsize Enterprise	34
Large Enterprise	64

No data available

Questions from the Community

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...

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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...

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

MySQL

July 2026

Download MySQL product report

Buyer's Guide

Relational Databases Tools

August 2026

Download SAP SQL Anywhere product report

Also Known As

No data available

Sybase SQL Anywhere

Overview

MySQL is an open-source database known for its ease of use and high performance. It offers features like replication and clustering, making it ideal for diverse applications. Its cost-effectiveness and LAMP integration are key advantages for businesses.

MySQL supports a variety of languages and platforms, providing reliable, scalable data management. Its graphical interface and LAMP architecture integration enhance its usability, while community support further strengthens its appeal. Challenges include scalability issues with large databases, lack of advanced clustering, and limited high-availability features. Complex queries may affect performance, and integration can pose difficulties. The outdated interface and insufficient documentation are also concerns, along with replication and backup reliability issues.

What are MySQL's key features?

Open-source nature: Freely available and customizable.
Cross-platform compatibility: Supports multiple operating systems.
Scalability: Capable of handling large volumes of data.
Replication and clustering: Ensure data redundancy and load balancing.
Full-text search: Provides powerful search capabilities.
LAMP integration: Seamlessly integrates with Linux, Apache, and PHP.

What benefits should users consider?

Cost-effectiveness: Reduces expenses due to its open-source nature.
High performance: Efficiently processes large volumes of data.
Active community support: Access to a wide range of resources and expertise.
Versatile use cases: Suitable for varied applications including web development and IoT.

MySQL is widely implemented in industries such as web development, e-commerce, and finance. It's used for managing dynamic websites, powering e-commerce platforms, and supporting financial applications. Its compatibility with PHP and cost-effectiveness make it suitable for CMS platforms like WordPress. With cloud services integration, MySQL is a backend choice for scalable applications in various sectors.

Oracle

SAP SQL Anywhere provides rugged database management for diverse environments, efficiently handling data synchronization and processing for embedded and mobile applications. Its flexibility and reliability make it suitable for enterprises needing robust data solutions.

SAP SQL Anywhere is known for its ability to run in resource-constrained environments, supporting mobile and remote database access without sacrificing performance. It offers comprehensive data management capabilities, ensuring seamless data integration and synchronization across varying platforms. This scalability complements business growth and evolving data needs, providing a cost-effective way to manage data across mobile and embedded applications.

What are the noteworthy features of SAP SQL Anywhere?

SQL Database Server: Efficiently manages data with full support for SQL standards.
Data Synchronization: Ensures consistent data across multiple devices in real-time.
Cross-platform Support: Operates on multiple operating systems, enhancing versatility.
Security Features: Provides encryption and authentication for data protection.

Why choose SAP SQL Anywhere for your business?

Cost Efficiency: Reduces IT overhead with minimal maintenance requirements.
Adaptability: Fits seamlessly into existing infrastructures, reducing integration costs.
Scalability: Grows with business needs without requiring substantial reinvestment.
Reliability: Offers high performance even in offline settings, ensuring continuous access.

Industries such as retail, healthcare, and manufacturing use SAP SQL Anywhere to support mobile field operations, enabling data access and updates in remote locations. This adaptability enhances operational efficiency, providing crucial support in environments where real-time data handling is critical.

SAP

Sample Customers

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

AOK Bundesverband, Surgutneftegas Open Joint Stock Company, Molson Coors Brewing Company, City of Buenos Aires, ASR Group, Citrix, EarlySense, Usha International Limited, Automotive Resources International, Wªrth Group, Takisada-Osaka Co. Ltd., Coelba, RZD Russian Railways, National Basketball Association, TALLY WEiJL

Buyer's Guide

MySQL vs. SAP SQL Anywhere

August 2026

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