What are IT professionals saying about relational databases in 2022?
PeerSpot users have compared the three key players in the relational database industry: SQL Server, Oracle Database, and MySQL. What can be learned from the relational database reviews and feedback that our user community has shared? Read the review excerpts below to find out.
SQL Server
An inexpensive solution that integrates well
Ever V. Architect of Solutions at Interbank, says, "SQL Server is an inexpensive solution. I recommend it if the project isn't sensitive. SQL is similar to Oracle and integrates well with tools in the cloud environment. The difference is that Oracle is for data solutions where there is replication and moderation."
Reliable, secure, and fast
Azizul H. AVP, IT Division at NCC BANK LIMITED, tells us, "It is secure, and it is fast. For our present database size, we are using the Always-On feature on SQL Server so that our transactions are replicated among three servers. If one server goes down, we can find the data from other servers. We have benefited from this feature."
Some areas of concern are:
"It needs to be improved to handle big data for large volumes of transactions for big industries. As compared to Oracle Database, SQL Server is not suitable for big data or large organizations where the database size could be more than 100 GB or more. In our country, for a large database and a large volume of transactions, we normally use Oracle Database. Most of the large banks are shifting from SQL Server to Oracle Database because of its slowness."
Oracle Database
Key features keep things running fast
An ERP Database Administrator at a non-profit tells us that a valued feature with Oracle is the Enterprise Manager feature. "Oracle Database is running on the same old hardware that I had the 11g version on and it is operating faster. It seems to be really good. It's fast even when the workload is heavy, easy to do backups and other administrative tasks with the Enterprise Manager."
Great functionality
Another user who is a Technical Lead at a computer software company, relates, "The most valuable feature of Oracle Database is all the functionalities. When we write a code we sometimes have to create an explicit functionality to process the data that we want. At times we find that there is already existing functionality in data created by Oracle itself, it is helpful."
MySQL
Straightforward and very easy to use
One user who is a Software Engineer at a financial services firm tells us, "MySQL is easy to use, has fast performance, and it is comfortable for end-user to use. The schema level and structure we are using are very simple and easy to understand. Additionally, packaging tool development is straightforward and the data is presented in a way that is very simple to understand."
Satishbabu G., who is an Oracle ACE, relates, “MySQL is a relational database and it is easy to install, handle day-to-day activities, and manage backups. It is compatible with a lot of other shared database solutions. MySQL has cross-platform support for multiple operating systems. The backups on a Linux machine can be restored on a Windows machine, and vice versa. MySQL supports multiple window displays and it is useful for developers and users who don’t have much database knowledge.”
Read more relational database reviews from 2022 on PeerSpot.
To be honest I believe Oracle is the best option if you have unlimited budget. For companies that want to spend some reasonable money SQL Server is the best option. It is suitable in 95% cases but it functionality is a little bit limited comparing to Oracle. Though I am sure that 99,99% is that you do not need that 5% of functionality. But who knows.
All the freebies (MySQL, Maria, PostreSQL) are questionable. Usually you get what you pay for. If you paid nothing...
What to choose? Choose what other companies use and check what kind of workforce is available in your area. You may find it funny to find out that after purchasing DB2 the cheapest option to support it is to relocate some guy from Slovenia.
Oracle is the best commercial SQL DB, and PostgreSQL the best free alternative. MySQL or MariaDB not so good. And MongoDB for future needs, if applicable.
DB2 should be named as a key relational database. The world's first commercially available RDBMS and arguably still the best.