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Oracle Database In-Memory vs SQL Server comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

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

Oracle Database In-Memory
Ranking in Relational Databases Tools
9th
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.9
Number of Reviews
31
Ranking in other categories
Embedded Database (3rd)
SQL Server
Ranking in Relational Databases Tools
1st
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
268
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of Oracle Database In-Memory is 1.5%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SQL Server is 18.6%, down from 23.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Relational Databases Tools
 

Featured Reviews

Laksiri Bala - PeerSpot reviewer
Faster processing and improved memory operations have enhanced transaction and analytics efficiency
The valuable features of Oracle Database In-Memory ( /products/oracle-database-in-memory-reviews ) include its capability to bypass disk storage for faster memory operations, which is critical for transactions and analytics. It also offers specific memory areas, like in-memory cache, that act as intermediaries between disk and buffer cache. This feature helps organizations handle real-time memory requirements effectively.
Azizul Haque - PeerSpot reviewer
It has eliminated all kinds of inconsistencies, and it is reliable, secure, and fast
I don't know whether SQL Server can support large organizations where the database size is more than 100 GB. It might be because of SQL Server, or it might be because of the programming of the software vendor, but a lot of people think that it is a problem with SQL Server. It can't handle a large amount of data or large data size. In terms of its usage, about 90% of our applications are running on the SQL Server database. We have around 1,600 users for our software, and all the applications are connected to the SQL Server database.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"We find the dashboard and the speed of data processing very valuable in Oracle Database In-Memory."
"The solution's ROI is excellent."
"The scalability of the solution is very good. It's able to support large amounts of data."
"The application development is very user-friendly."
"It accelerates query processing, which in turn speeds up operations and streamlines workflow, and ultimately enhancing productivity."
"The solution is very fast."
"The most valuable feature is that Database-In-Memory is more consistent and faster than traditional databases as it requires fewer CPUs to process instructions."
"The most valuable aspects of this solution are the fast caching and improved performance to the database"
"If backups and alerts are configured properly, I can also rely on my restoration plan."
"It is a simple query language. It is consistent across all versions. If you start with an older version, move to the newer version. The same code will still work."
"The most valuable feature is that it is easy to use and you don't have to do a lot of configuration."
"The solution is very easy to use."
"It helps with moving the design of the database into reality."
"Unlike MySQL, SQL Server is advantageous because it allows the execution of stored procedures and commands. It's easy to understand, run, and manage. Also, Microsoft frequently updates SQL Server, quickly resolving issues in new versions."
"It is a stable product, and it runs seamlessly. It is not complex."
"We have found the solution valuable because we are able to easily create a query, shrink, backup, and make new tables."
 

Cons

"They should lower the price. My customers think that it's too expensive."
"It would be good if Oracle could reduce downtime when transferring from non-In-Memory to In-Memory."
"I would like Oracle Database In-Memory to include a data replication feature."
"The query optimization and backup features should be added."
"The dashboard requires some refreshment or configuration improvements."
"Technical support is below our expectations currently. It could be improved."
"Oracle Database In-Memory is more expensive than Azure, and the support from the Oracle team is not very good, especially since they do not have a support team in our region."
"Oracle should include column store or advanced query optimization so a database can be optimized by enabling analytic queries to run faster."
"I am fine with the pricing, but pricing is an area that can always be improved."
"Additional interfaces would be an improvement."
"Even if you have some technical agreement with Microsoft, the technical support of the solution won't help you. The support needs to be improved."
"SQL Server backups could be better."
"Sometimes the system hangs. Its databases should be able to deal with more data in a faster way. Its speed of processing larger amounts of information should be improved."
"There are certain shortcomings in the scalability of the product, making it an area where improvements are required."
"They need to improve their support. It should be faster."
"I would like to see more integration with other platforms."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing is pretty good so I rate it an eight out of ten."
"Oracle Database In-Memory is expensive."
"Database In-Memory is priced a bit higher than its competitors like Microsoft."
"The platform's licensing cost needs improvement."
"It's quite costly and it comes with a fixed price."
"I rate the pricing a zero out of ten because Database In-Memory is too costly."
"The solution's pricing is high."
"The product is expensive."
"Although it comes with a cost, using the most recent version is highly advisable, since it would ensure a certain measure of bug fixes and stability. The sole issue would involve the cost, as this is expensive."
"If you are looking for a small setup and do not want an open-source solution or invest too much money in your database then SQL Server is a very good choice."
"Pricing is reasonable for small organizations, but the scaling increases the price."
"We didn't have any licensing costs for SQL Server."
"This is a very cheap product."
"The price of SQL Server could be better in the African market. The licensing model needs to be improved, it is confusing."
"Our customers do pay license fees for the MS SQL Server but the Rabbit is free, as it is open-source software."
"SQL Server has the best licensing price."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
18%
Computer Software Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
8%
Educational Organization
53%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
6%
Manufacturing Company
5%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Oracle Database In-Memory?
We can integrate it with any data sources as well.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Database In-Memory?
Oracle Database In-Memory is very expensive. Additionally, there are extra costs for some features.
What needs improvement with Oracle Database In-Memory?
The dashboard requires some refreshment or configuration improvements. Also, the pricing could be addressed.
Would you say the price of SQL Server is high compared to that of similar products?
SQL Server is fairly priced because it has various editions, depending on the number of users, servers, or core packs you are using. If you compare the product to others in this category, the price...
Has using SQL Server helped your organization in any way?
SQL Server has helped my organization through partitioning to distribute the workload, as it splits them up into smaller pieces so the machines can easily deal with it. However, this comes with a h...
Which authentication mode is best for SQL Server?
My company connects through SQL Server authentication. We have company Windows accounts, but we do not want to connect the two, out of security concerns and to keep things separated for our own pur...
 

Also Known As

No data available
Microsoft SQL Server, MSSQL, MS SQL
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Shanghai Customs
Microsoft SQL Server is used by businesses in every industry, including Great Western Bank, Aviva, the Volvo Car Corporation, BMW, Samsung, Principality Building Society, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.
Find out what your peers are saying about Oracle Database In-Memory vs. SQL Server and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
845,040 professionals have used our research since 2012.