IBM Db2 Database vs Oracle Multitenant comparison

IBM and Oracle are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. IBM is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.1, while Oracle is ranked #13 with an average rating of 9.0. IBM holds a 7.1% mindshare in SQL, compared to Oracle’s 0.6% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Oracle users who would recommend it.

IBM Db2 Database

Read 73 IBM Db2 Database reviews

6,854 Views
4,346 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Oracle Multitenant

Read 19 Oracle Multitenant reviews

703 Views
386 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

Oracle Multitenant

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

DB2 and Oracle Multitenant operate in the enterprise database management space. DB2 seems to have an advantage in terms of flexibility and integration with IBM solutions, while Oracle Multitenant offers a seamless database management experience through its multitenancy capabilities.

Features: DB2 stands out with features such as powerful structured query language support with object tables, self-tuning memory management, and robust security. It also offers platform flexibility and reliable integration with IBM products like Websphere. Oracle Multitenant's key features include consolidating multiple databases within a single engine, ease of database upgrades, and the utility of pluggable databases which facilitate cloning processes and management.

Room for Improvement: DB2 could improve by increasing resources for learning and simplifying licensing and querying tools. There's a need for better web enablement to enhance user experience. Oracle Multitenant would benefit from more detailed I/O resource control and integration across all Oracle features. Users also mention the restrictive pricing structure and desire faster processes for handling large database plug/unplug operations.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both DB2 and Oracle are noted for reliability in deployment. DB2's support is considered comprehensive but slower, with challenges noted outside North America. Oracle's support is perceived as more efficient, providing quick resolutions to issues. DB2’s broad platform support also enhances deployment ease, whereas both solutions efficiently accommodate on-premises environments.

Pricing and ROI: While DB2 is often cheaper than Oracle, complexities in licensing and regional price disparities remain concerns. However, it offers competitive pricing for businesses using IBM Power Systems. Oracle Multitenant can be costlier due to extra feature fees, yet both solutions manifest significant ROI through long-term performance stability and minimal downtime. Each product’s financial benefits vary based on organizational choices and technical requirements.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Multitenant Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Multitenant

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

IBM Db2 Database

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

6th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Oracle Multitenant

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

13th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of IBM Db2 Database is 7.1%, up from 6.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Multitenant is 0.6%, down from 0.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

SimonHiggins

Mainframe Technical Manager/Service Integration Lead at Saudi Business Machines

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.

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François Dernoncourt

Oracle Expert at Capgemini

Databases are automatically upgraded and cloning of pluggable databases requires just one command

Multitenant has a container database with many pluggable databases. A great feature is that you can upgrade the container to a more recent version and all the pluggable databases are automatically upgraded to that version. Previously it would have required an upgrade for each database. The second great feature is the clone which enables you to get the clone of pluggable databases with one command, as opposed to copying data from one place to another.

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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

"Some of the most valuable features are the scaling from a small very cheap installation to a very large enterprise installation. In addition, the backups and assistance are good."

"I like that its true active-active. For example, if there are two instances within a cluster, we can take one of them down and there's no failover or switch over. There's no primary and secondary, it's true active-active. We can take one side down and we can upgrade that with new maintenance or a new version, obviously testing coexistence beforehand, without impacting the business."

"The solution's security is very tough and impenetrable."

"The most valuable feature is PowerPC support."

"The stability of IBM Db2 Database is stable. We have not faced any downtime in one year. Our work is mostly during business hours and during that time, we haven't faced any downtime."

"Its functionality and availability are valuable. Its availability is great. It is available 99.99% of the time."

"The solution can scale."

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

More IBM Db2 Database pros

"You can scale the solution as needed."

"Maintaining databases is a valuable feature for us."

"The database becomes pluggable. Inside this container is called a pluggable database and each application contains this pluggable database inside Multitenant. We can then share resources like control files, memory, etc. This lets you stop and start each application without impacting the others. This resource sharing is the most valuable feature"

"The feature that I like on Multitenant is the ease - it is very easy for my team to run the database."

"Our primary use of Oracle includes writing queries for retrieving data for customers without worrying about the customer ID, user ID, as it is automatically connected to each query."

"It's easy to use and works great."

"It is quite stable. We have not faced any kind of instability in the database."

"The most valuable features are the speed and ease of use."

More Oracle Multitenant pros

Cons

"The solution no longer supports POWER8."

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

"When I look at Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Server provides me with better tools for database management."

"The command line part of this solution could be much better."

"Microsoft SQL Server is comparatively very simple to use. I wish IBM would move towards making Db2 easy to use for both basic and advanced users. This is where I see room for advancement. Db2 is also more expensive than Microsoft SQL Server, and its price can be reduced. The replication feature needs to be there in Db2. Microsoft provides similar functionality in SQL Server. IBM also has similar functionality, but it exists in a different product. So, to have the replication ability, you have to buy a different product. It makes sense to have this functionality within Db2 instead of a different product. It will also be helpful in terms of competition. In Africa, the problem for Db2 is competition. Oracle Database and Microsoft SQL Server have been in this market for a very long time. These companies have built the ecosystem and the brand within this market for a very long time. So, they are very popular with users. Db2 or IBM came a little later in the game, and that's where the problem lies. They also don't do a lot of marketing for it, which is also a problem."

"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."

"The solution's UI hasn't been upgraded. The solution’s UI is an area to improve because the solution was developed long ago."

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

More IBM Db2 Database cons

"That said, Oracle in general doesn't invest in their UI for any of their applications. If we're talking about the dashboard or other user experience, there is room for improvement. I'm talking about on premises. The cloud version has started to improve."

"From the scope of improvement, I would say that people are adopting new query options. Certain databases like MongoDB adopt new query options so that they can just pull the data."

"It would be beneficial to include this solution with Oracle Enterprise, but Oracle charges additional fees for it."

"The user interface for this solution can be made better."

"There is room for improvement in customer service and support."

"It can be complicated to scale up the solution, but it's scalable."

"This solution is a bit complicated when collecting from containers - that feature should be a bit better."

"The solution lacks a GUI for commands."

More Oracle Multitenant cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."

"Clients are required to purchase a license."

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

"The solution costs less than other products."

"The solution's hardware and subscription model for support are very expensive."

"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."

"Compared to other databases, Db2 is relatively cheaper."

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

"For me, I will go with it if I have the budget. Some features are nicer than before, but at the end of the day, you always have a limited budget. I prefer to upgrade and get a specific hardware when possible. At the end, you will have to make a compromise. You will not get everything you would have liked to have."

"This solution is a little bit pricey."

"The price is worth the quality."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

62%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

25%

Hospitality Company

Healthcare Company

Manufacturing Company

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.

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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 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.

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What do you like most about Oracle Multitenant?

The best thing about Oracle Multitenant is its ability to consolidate multiple databases into one engine.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Multitenant?

I am not connected to the financial aspects, so I am unable to provide details.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Oracle Multitenant?

There are many functions where changes are not easy to implement, and we try to avoid modifying these areas due to security issues and the complexity of maintaining them. Also, support can be impro...

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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 17% of the time

Teradata vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 14% of the time

IBM Netezza Performance Server vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 2% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

SQL Server vs Oracle Multitenant

Compared 41% of the time

More Oracle Multitenant Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

March 2025

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Multitenant

March 2025

Download Oracle Multitenant product report

Also Known As

DB2

Oracle Pluggable Database

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

Oracle Multitenant - an Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition option – introduces a new architecture that enables customers to easily consolidate multiple databases, without changing their applications. This new architecture delivers all the benefits of managing many databases as one, yet retains the isolation and resource prioritization of separate databases. In addition, Oracle Multitenant enables rapid provisioning and upgrades, and fully complements other options including Oracle Real Application Clusters and Active Data Guard.

For more information on Oracle Multitenant, visit Oracle.com

Oracle

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

An Post, National Oilwell Varco, SAS Institute, Sportmaster, Y-Telecom

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Multitenant

March 2025

Free Report: IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Multitenant

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