MySQL vs Oracle Database comparison

MySQL and Oracle Database are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. MySQL is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.5, while Oracle Database is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.2. MySQL holds a 8.5% mindshare in SQL, compared to Oracle Database’s 13.2% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of MySQL users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Oracle Database users who would recommend it.

MySQL

Read 148 MySQL reviews

7,825 Views
6,096 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Oracle Database

Read 288 Oracle Database reviews

12,592 Views
10,432 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

MySQL

Oracle Database

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 12, 2025

Oracle Database and MySQL are prominent competitors in the database management category, with Oracle Database excelling for large enterprises due to its robust features and MySQL offering simplicity for small to medium applications.

Features: Oracle Database features high-level security, data consistency, and scalability, suitable for large enterprises. Oracle's high availability and diagnostic capabilities make it reliable for complex data needs. MySQL is known for its simplicity, speed, and cost-effectiveness, suitable for small to medium applications. It is open-source and benefits from extensive community support.

Room for Improvement: Oracle Database's high costs and complex configuration are limitations, with users suggesting better error messaging and a more intuitive interface. MySQL lacks advanced features such as stored procedures and foreign key support, with replication and analytics noted as areas needing enhancement.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both Oracle Database and MySQL offer multiple deployment options, including on-premises and cloud services. Oracle has a comprehensive support network but sometimes lacks prompt service. MySQL's community-driven approach provides numerous resources, though its support is less robust compared to Oracle.

Pricing and ROI: Oracle Database is costly, offering high ROI for enterprises using its comprehensive features. Its licenses are expensive but provide value for those needing robustness and scalability. In contrast, MySQL's open-source nature makes it cost-effective, ideal for startups and smaller businesses, with flexible licensing offering good value for smaller-scale applications.

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

Buyer's Guide

MySQL vs. Oracle Database

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

MySQL

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

3rd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

148

Ranking in other categories

Open Source Databases (1st)

Oracle Database

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

2nd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

288

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of MySQL is 8.5%, down from 8.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Database is 13.2%, down from 15.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

Muzzamil Hussain

Assistant Vice President at National Bank of Pakistan

Native encryption ensures secure data management with a simple deployment

The most valuable feature is the on-premises data encryption facilities. By default, we can provide encryption, and this feature in MySQL is why we prefer it over other databases. The native encryption in MySQL encourages us to use this database model more frequently compared to Oracle and other databases. With Oracle, we have to buy another solution for encryption and masking, but MySQL supports native encryption, which enhances our return on investment. It perfectly supports our ROI, and we have no issues with its functionality.

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Duy AnhMai

Product Owner at Heineken

Good storage and reliable but needs a better dashboard

I use Oracle Database just for storage of the corporate database data and the finance data I use Oracle Database just for storage of the corporate database data and the finance data. However, I find the dashboard to be complicated and not user-friendly. The dashboard is not user-friendly, and I…

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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

"For sure, the solution is very stable."

"This specific version of this MySQL has been battle tested for a long time. Any issues are known issues and we pretty much don't have any problems when they're in production. So it's very stable."

"It was easy to install."

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

"It has a community version. When I have to create a new database, I have no problems with licenses."

"It is pretty simple to use and I don't have anything really bad to say about it."

"The solution is very simple. It's easy to use. That's the most important feature."

"The feature that I have found most valuable is its ubiquity. MySQL is everywhere, so if I need to find a developer to do things to it that I don't know, it's very easy to find someone who has expertise in it."

More MySQL pros

"Most of our customers have been using multitenant options. Advanced Compression and Advanced Security are the most valuable features in most customer environments."

"High availability using real application clusters."

"A very reliable solution."

"The initial setup isn't too difficult."

"The features that I have found most valuable are its cloud and API features."

"The solution is definitely very good for our consultancy on payroll and human resource."

"The solution is very stable with the performance being very reliable."

"The product provides high availability."

More Oracle Database pros

Cons

"The availability of tools could be improved in the MySQL open-source platform. They can provide more analytical tools. I haven't had any particularly difficult issues to troubleshoot on MySQL, but in the past, on Microsoft SQL Server, I had to troubleshoot some difficult issues, and better tools were in place to see what was going on in real-time on the server. So, that's the bit that is lacking on the MySQL open-source platform."

"The GUI could improve to make MySQL better."

"The solution is expensive."

"I would like to have the ability to cancel a query in SQL Developer."

"At times, the autoscaling does not happen when there is a surge in load."

"I would like to see the automatic backup feature in the solution as well. Data is very important and we need to preserve it in a safe place. It would be good if MySQL can back up the data automatically."

"The workbench could be improved. In particular, error messages can be improved, which are horrific and completely unhelpful. I'd like to see improved parsing of errors. When you write SQL and it crashes, it usually is something completely irrelevant and not helpful. I've started to use GPT 3.5 for finding out how to do things. I got to do something a bit different, and that I found to be very useful. If there was some way to tie it into one of the new AI tools, that would probably be a good idea."

"Could use some additional JSON query support in the solution."

More MySQL cons

"As of now, Oracle is branded to Oracle only, the option of migrating to other databases is not available."

"The quality of technical support could be better. They could respond faster."

"The tool's deployment and configuration is difficult. Sometimes, the network DNS settings aren't connected, so we need to check and enable the configuration, which is the difficult part. Maintenance requires a bit of effort. We need to monitor the database performance, check the number of concurrent users on Oracle, and handle any unwanted queries from users. You need at least two people to do it."

"The queries performance could improve compared to other products."

"Oracle Cloud has a bit of a learning curve, so from an improvement perspective, we need to have a simple way to connect to computing in Oracle Cloud."

"It would be useful if I could connect to an expert for one-on-one help."

"Security is an area that needs to be improved."

"Upgrade is the most critical phase for the lifecycle of a database. In order to be sure that the migration succeeds, you need to be up-to-date. Therefore, regularly install the patchset and security updates."

More Oracle Database cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I use a free version at present."

"It is an open source platform."

"Can range from free to quite expensive, depending on the environments and requirements, so better to really set goals ahead of setting it up."

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

"MySQL is released under an open-source license, so you have nothing to pay to use it."

"We are using the free community edition of MySQL."

"The price of the solution is good because we have a good partner."

"We are using the licensed version of MySQL."

More MySQL pricing and cost advice

"The licensing and support pricing for Oracle Database is a bit expensive, as it is a top-of-the-line product. We'd like for its price to be lower."

"The price of Oracle Database is too expensive and especially for individual environments. The pricing model is not clear, if I want to run it on a virtual environment, I still need to license the whole physical box."

"There is a license required to use Oracle Database."

"The pricing should be cheaper."

"It has an annual subscription. It is an Oracle solution, so it is a bit expensive, but that's fine."

"My company has opted for perpetual licensing. We only need to make payments toward the licensing of the product."

"The price of Oracle Database is high and could be reduced."

"The price of the solution could improve."

More Oracle Database pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

21%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

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...

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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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How do you run Oracle Database at your organization and why?

My company has been using Oracle Exadata Database Service for some years now, and we are happy with it. I will allow myself to answer your questions about why and what benefits it provides us with ...

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Do you know of any disadvantages of Oracle Database?

Undoubtedly, Oracle Database is a top product in its category. But it does have its disadvantages, and for me and my organization, that has been the limitations of the product. When it comes to Ora...

See all answers

What is the best use for Oracle Database?

Oracle Database is flexible and can be used for many things. My company's main use case for this product is for storing data. We benefit from its high level of security as well as from the fact tha...

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Comparisons

Firebird SQL vs MySQL

Compared 28% of the time

PostgreSQL vs MySQL

Compared 16% of the time

SAP HANA vs MySQL

Compared 9% of the time

MariaDB vs MySQL

Compared 6% of the time

Percona Server vs MySQL

Compared 3% of the time

More MySQL Competitors

SAP HANA vs Oracle Database

Compared 23% of the time

SQL Server vs Oracle Database

Compared 13% of the time

IBM Db2 Database vs Oracle Database

Compared 10% of the time

MariaDB vs Oracle Database

Compared 10% of the time

Tibero vs Oracle Database

Compared 6% of the time

More Oracle Database Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

MySQL

February 2025

Download MySQL product report

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Database

February 2025

Download Oracle Database product report

Also Known As

No data available

Oracle 12c, RDBMS

Overview

MySQL is a cost-efficient and scalable relational database management system widely used in web, mobile applications, and academic projects.

MySQL is utilized for backend operations, data analysis, reporting, financial transactions, and ERP databases. It supports deployment on local servers, Cloud, and Kubernetes. Its free, open-source nature along with strong community support make it popular among companies. MySQL's compatibility with multiple platforms and programming languages enhances its appeal. While it remains stable and easy to use, areas such as replication, clustering, and backup require improvement to better serve enterprise applications. Enhanced security, error messages, and monitoring tools are also desired for a better user experience.

What are the most important features of MySQL?

Free and Open-Source: No licensing costs, perfect for budget-conscious projects.
Compatibility: Works with multiple platforms and programming languages.
High Performance: Efficient performance across large datasets.
Scalability: Easily scales to meet growing business needs.
Clustering and Replication: Ensures data availability and redundancy.
Easy Installation: Quick setup process on various operating systems.
Community Support: Extensive resources and community assistance.
Cross-Platform: Operates seamlessly on different operating systems.
Data Management Interface: Simplifies data handling and manipulation.

What are the benefits of using MySQL?

Cost Efficiency: Reduce expenses with a free, open-source database.
Scalability: Adapt to increasing data demands effortlessly.
Performance: Handle large datasets with ease and speed.
Community Support: Access a vast pool of knowledge and resources.
Flexibility: Integrate with various platforms and languages for diverse use cases.
Data Reliability: Clustering and replication for high data availability.

In multiple industries, MySQL supports internal applications, billing systems, academic teaching purposes, and ERP databases. Companies leverage MySQL for Cloud and local deployments, ensuring effective data manipulation and backend operations in diverse projects. Its role in financial transactions and reporting further emphasizes its versatility.

Oracle

Oracle Database is a top-ranking multi-model database management system by Oracle Corporation. Through Oracle database services and products, clients receive cost-optimized and high-performing versions of Oracle Database, as well as in-memory, NoSQL, and MySQL databases. The solution is available by several service providers on premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid installation. It can be run on vendor servers as well as on Oracle hardware, including Exadata on-premise, Oracle Cloud, or Cloud at Customer.

Users can select from various types of Oracle Database solutions, depending on what they aim to do with this product. Based on their specific needs, they can choose among options that include:

Autonomously managed Oracle databases: This type of database eliminates the complexity of operating and securing Oracle Database, while simultaneously ensuring high levels of performance, scalability, and availability for users.
Oracle Database on Exadata: Users who seek particularly fast platforms can select this type of running solution. Exadata is a computing platform that is optimized for running Oracle Databases and it serves as the fastest platform for Oracle Database.
Oracle Database on-premises deployment: The product allows for deployment on-premises for clients who have data residency and network latency concerns. This option also offers customers the benefit of updated Oracle Cloud technology, including Exadata and Autonomous Database.
Oracle Database in the cloud: Organizations can use a specific version of this tool in the cloud, benefiting from complete control over the versions they run and when these versions change.

Part of this product is a fully automated database service called Oracle Autonomous Database, which facilitates the development and deployment of application workloads for organizations. It is built on Oracle Database as well as on Oracle Exadata. This service supports various data types and simplifies application development and deployment from modeling and coding to extract, transform, load process (ETL), data analysis, and database optimization. The service achieves high results in:

Performance
Availability
Security for online transaction processing (OLTP)
Analytics
Batch
Internet of Things (IoT) workloads

Oracle Database Features

Oracle Database has various features which users can utilize in their work with the solution. Among these features are the following:

Backup and recovery: Oracle Database ensures the integrity of users' data in system failure situations. This feature utilizes a tool named Recovery Manager (RMAN), which allows administrators to perform cold, hot, and incremental database backups, as well as point-in-time recoveries.
Clustering: This feature enables high availability of systems in order to run without interruption of services on occasions when one or more servers in a cluster fail. Included is a tool called Oracle Real Application Clusters.
Data dictionary: Through this set of internal tables and views, Oracle Database can be administered more efficiently.
Logical data structure: Through its feature for logical data structure, Oracle Database stores data in a way that allows users to interact with the database without knowing where the physical storage of the data is located.
Memory catching: Through the memory caching architecture feature, users can scale up very large databases and still perform at a considerably high speed.
Partitioning: This feature allows users to divide large tables into different pieces and store the pieces across storage devices.

Oracle Database Benefits

Oracle Database offers its users various benefits. Some of these include:

The solution decreases costs for organizations and provides a high return on investment (ROI) through the multiple services and features it offers.
Oracle Database has high-security protection which includes encryption, key management, data masking, and activity monitoring, that secures organizations' data within the tool.
The tool offers users the ability to use a single database for all data types, simplifying the process for them.
Oracle Database can be deployed in multiple places, including data centers and public and private clouds, which allows great flexibility for users.
The product allows applications from different platforms to communicate with the database through its networking stack.
Oracle Database is ACID-compliant, which helps maintain data reliability and integrity.

Reviews from Real Users

Paul S., president at Advance Consulting Enterprise, likes Oracle Database because it gets the job done, doesn't fail, and suitable for massively scalable applications.

An Oracle DBA at a computer software company describes Oracle Database as reliable with good performance and very good stability.

Oracle

Sample Customers

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

Agncia Nacional de guas, Anbima, Aria Systems, Asiana Airlines, Astelit LLC, Australian Finance Group, Banco Occidental de Descuento, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, BT, Caja de Seguros S.A., Casas GEO S.A.B. de C.V., Comic Relief UK, Corsair Components Inc., CSAM Health AS, CSOB Group, Datacraft Solutions, DenizBank A.S., Department of Treasury and Finance WA, Office of State Revenue, Deutsche B_rse AG, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Deutsche Messe AG, Digicel Haiti, DPR COSEA, Essar Group, Essatto Software Pty Ltd, Farmšcia e Drogaria Nissei Ltda., Fomento Econ‹mico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. (FEMSA), FundaÊo Petrobras de Seguridade Social, Future Group, GFKL Financial Services AG, Grupo Posadas S.A.B. de C.V., Grupo Sinosserra, Guerra S.A. Implementos Rodovišrios, Hanatour International Service, Hays plc, Henan Mobile Co. Ltd, Hochschule Hof, Hong Kong and China Technology (Wuhan) Co. Ltd (Towngas Technology), Industries Corpa_al C.A., Infrastructure Development Finance Company Limited, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatstica, Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial, Kcell, LinkShare Corporation, MercadoLibre Inc., MetLife Inc., Nextgen Distribution, €BB-IKT GmbH, Octagon Research Solutions, Pacific Lutheran University, Paragon Data GmbH, Ping ltd., PJSC Trustbank, Prodaub _ Processamento de Dados de Uberl_ndia, Purdue University, Redknee Inc., Robi Axiata Limited, Shanghai Infoservice Technology Co. Ltd, Shanghai Sihua Technologies Co. Ltd, Sistema de Aguas de la Ciudad de M_xico, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Suddenlink Communications, Suprajit Engineering Limited, Tallink Grupp, Terminales Ro de la Plata S.A., Therap Services LLC, Think Passenger Inc., Trafigura, Transmed S.A.L Lebanon, ValeShop, VelQuest Corporation, Vodafone Group plc, West Virginia Network, WIND Hellas Telecommunications S.A

Buyer's Guide

MySQL vs. Oracle Database

March 2025

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