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 7.8, while Oracle is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.2. MariaDB holds a 6.8% mindshare in OSD, compared to Oracle’s 9.2% 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

6,264 Views
2,819 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

MySQL

Read 150 MySQL reviews

9,581 Views
5,461 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: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

MariaDB vs. MySQL

September 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

4th

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

5th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

150

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Open Source Databases category, the mindshare of MariaDB is 6.8%, down from 8.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MySQL is 9.2%, down from 15.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Open Source Databases Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
MySQL	9.2%
MariaDB	6.8%
Other	84.0%

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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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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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The product has been stable and reliable."

"I would say that for most use cases it works fine."

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

"For non-production purposes. I'm just using it for my personal project, so it works quite well. I haven't faced any errors yet."

"The most valuable feature of MariaDB is the power it provides. It is a powerful solution."

"The stability of MariaDB is good, it has high availability."

"Great monitoring and performance stability."

"MariaDB is a fast and flexible tool."

More MariaDB pros

"It is easy to use."

"The most valuable feature is the ease of use."

"MySQL is an easy-to-use solution that provides stability, reliability, flexibility, performance, security, and high availability."

"Compared to other databases, MySQL is cheaper and we were using the community edition which was free of cost. ML is fully integrated with the database in HeatWave. It has also many other features. MySQL is a far better solution in terms of pricing."

"It creates a unified view of the entire architecture and performance factor, helping to manage the network more easily."

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

"It is very easy to install and has all basic database features."

"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."

More MySQL pros

Cons

"MariaDB's GUI is an area with certain shortcomings where improvements are required."

"The configuration could be improved. It should be easier."

"The PL/SQL performance is slow if you have big batch jobs running overnight."

"MariaDB could be improved by adding more automation."

"Replication could be better, and it's not so simple. It would be better if they had a replication server. It would make things a lot easier. You need to have that replication server, but not in the same server farm. Then there will be a bit of latency between both because you should have one in one city and another one in a different city. That kind of solution should be more baked into every single database today. Mirroring the database in a live environment where any record written on the production server replicates instantly across the fiber on the other server wasn't easy. Many people don't even bother with that, and they just run one server."

"Maria DB has to improve from a management perspective."

"The solution can improve by having support for more integration. However, at this time it is working well for us."

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

More MariaDB cons

"MySQL tutorials and guides could be improved. Often they are too complex for someone with no database experience to understand."

"As for areas that could be improved, the tool is often used as a local database on laptops. But now, we're moving to cloud-based solutions that are more scalable and highly available. I think the tool should offer a cloud database option. This would let users keep a local copy of data if needed, but also have their data available across different regions through a cloud account."

"MySQL's performance needs to be improved for enterprise-level applications compared to Oracle and Postgres."

"MySQL's performance requires attention. For optimal performance, one should review and sometimes revise the code, particularly when using server-side scripting."

"There should be an arrangement for end-users to get trained to use the tool...Improvement-wise, a graphical interface could be added for new users, eliminating the need to memorize the complex syntax."

"Oracle should start putting in some of the enterprise features in the standard feature. There are some key features that should be part of the standard."

"The analytics features are in need of improvement."

"Some problems with big table operations, and a struggle to keep the servers responding in peak situations."

More MySQL cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."

"There is a monthly subscription to use MariaDB."

"It is an open-source solution."

"It's an open-source solution."

"The solution is free, but if you want the enterprise version you will need to pay for some licenses but the cost is less than other solutions, such as Oracle."

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

"We use the solution's free version."

"MariaDB is open-source and self-hosted."

More MariaDB pricing and cost advice

"It has a community version."

"MySQL is very cheap. It could be free. It also has a yearly licensing option."

"My company uses MySQL's corporate licenses."

"The solution does not come with a licensing fee."

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

"I use a free version at present."

"It's an open-source database management system that can be used free of charge."

"I use the open-source free community version."

More MySQL pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	26
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	25

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	73
Midsize Enterprise	31
Large Enterprise	61

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

Firebird SQL vs MariaDB

Compared 23% of the time

SQL Server vs MariaDB

Compared 22% of the time

PostgreSQL vs MariaDB

Compared 13% of the time

Oracle Database vs MariaDB

Compared 8% of the time

Percona Server vs MariaDB

Compared 5% of the time

More MariaDB Competitors

Firebird SQL vs MySQL

Compared 23% of the time

PostgreSQL vs MySQL

Compared 14% of the time

SAP HANA vs MySQL

Compared 8% of the time

SQL Server vs MySQL

Compared 6% of the time

Oracle Database vs MySQL

Compared 5% of the time

More MySQL Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

MariaDB

August 2025

Download MariaDB product report

Buyer's Guide

MySQL

August 2025

Download MySQL product report

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 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

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

September 2025

Free Report: MariaDB vs. MySQL

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