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IBM Db2 Database vs Oracle Java DB comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

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
7.0
Number of Reviews
73
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Oracle Java DB
Ranking in Relational Databases Tools
21st
Average Rating
8.4
Number of Reviews
9
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of IBM Db2 Database is 7.0%, up from 6.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Java DB is 0.7%, up from 0.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Relational Databases Tools
 

Featured Reviews

SimonHiggins - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
Anil-Sinha - PeerSpot reviewer
Able to process all the reporting and processing in the database itself
We have been upgrading and moving to new environments. I was involved in the solution's initial setup. Some things in the setup are very smooth sailing. However, some setups become complicated because what they set up doesn't meet your needs. So, some tweaking is necessary in certain instances. Having a good understanding of the tool really helps. Oracle Java DB is easy to deploy if it's a new setup. Migrating from an old environment to a new environment takes time because you need the old functionality. A first-time deployment of the application is easy. We just did a default setup and started using it. When we have to migrate, there is too much baggage behind that application, especially from the security point of view.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"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 features are the simplicity of the database and the access to Db2 and Db2 information."
"The most valuable aspect of this solution is its stability. We have never had any problems and have never had to contact technical support."
"The self-management and optimization features are probably the best on the market"
"The most valuable feature of the IBM Db2 Database is the ease of use, and the ability to do query writing of any SQL statement and have an output."
"The solution has many beneficial features, such as security, support, and stability."
"IBM Db2 Database has good performance."
"The initial setup was easy."
"The solution is stable."
"It has a programming language so anything that we require for Selenium is all available there."
"It's very clever."
"There have been no issues in relation to stability. We've never really had do to any recoveries. It is very stable."
"The database is quite robust in terms of performance from the SQL side."
"Able to write queries more efficiently and the management of data has become better and easier."
"The additional value of having Java inside the Oracle database is all the security that is applied to an Oracle database will be enforced on Java's stored procedures as well."
"The valuable features include connecting to the database and retrieving data."
 

Cons

"The user interface is old and needs to be improved."
"The GUI interface is not particularly friendly for those who do not have experience with the product."
"The capabilities of this solution could improve."
"​Not very solid compared to its competitors' products.​"
"The tool is not easy to use. It needs to improve scale computing so that the tool can be scaled vertically. The product needs to enhance pre-engine optimization and it needs to be more efficient in completing queries. The documentation should be updated to include different scenarios of deployment."
"There are some issues with Db2's database file system not being readable. The storage could also be increased, and the monitoring could be improved."
"Performance is something that can be improved with DB2."
"We need some time to improve the performance. We have to perform a weekly REORG, or else RUNSTATS for the databases."
"It'll be better if Oracle Java supports open source technologies, like Node.js."
"Needs improvement in consistency issues with respect to timeframes."
"In terms of improvement, I'd like an automation tool that is lower priced. The core prices are very high."
"The tool might be integrated, but we see performance issues because of overhead."
"The solution should continue to keep updating and improving the Java language."
"The solution could be more user-friendly."
"The biggest lesson that I have learned from using Oracle products is vendor lock-in."
"Oracle can improve by providing more connection string variations and relay servers on the path to the database."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I rate the price of the IBM Db2 Database an eight out of ten."
"I think that everyone knows that with IBM the standard price is higher than the others."
"The total cost of the solution depends upon the PVU licensing"
"It is expensive when compared to other products."
"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 pricing is fine."
"If I consider the price of IBM Db2 Database, I would say there are cheaper products in the market."
"We don't see what the specific price of the DB2 license is because we pay for the backup license as a package."
"Oracle Java DB is a pricey solution."
"The product's pricing is very friendly, with no extra costs after the licensing fees."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
62%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
4%
Manufacturing Company
3%
Financial Services Firm
20%
Computer Software Company
13%
Educational Organization
11%
Manufacturing Company
11%
 

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.
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.
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.
What needs improvement with Oracle Java DB?
The tool might be integrated, but we see performance issues because of overhead.
What is your primary use case for Oracle Java DB?
We are using the Java side, which is built into the database, and the application is using that portion.
What advice do you have for others considering Oracle Java DB?
I think the solution is moving in the right direction because no architecture supports all sorts of processing. A lot of other portions are getting integrated as new needs come in. With integration...
 

Comparisons

 

Also Known As

DB2
No data available
 

Overview

 

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
Université Nice Sophia Antipolis
Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Java DB and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
839,319 professionals have used our research since 2012.