I really like the way Oracle Database handles crash recovery. I find that that's the most valuable feature among the other databases that I work with. I have yet to see a time when my database crashed, for whatever reason, whether it be node crash or server crash, and Oracle didn't clean it up and it come back online as before. The way Oracle processes cleanup itself and comes back online is great. If one of the Oracle nodes in the cluster goes down, the others keep running, which we're very happy about.
Database Admin at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees
We're happy about how if one of the Oracle nodes in the cluster goes down, the others keep running.
What is most valuable?
How has it helped my organization?
It's a good, solid database architecture, one of the best in the industry. With it, we also have a good partnership with Oracle, who provides us with great support.
What needs improvement?
It's so huge, so vast. If we're talking about security, there could be improvements. Also, we'd like to be able to come up with migration strategies that involve less downtime. That's one of our struggles with it, particularly when we're migrating sizes of several terabytes. We can't afford to have our agents down for twelve hours at a time to do the migrations. So I'd like to see some more innovative ideas, some more improvements in that area to help us out.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
We've had no issues with the deployment.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's very stable. We've had no issues with instability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We've been using the add-node functionality. We started with a few of the clusters, the RAC cluster, with two nodes, and we have expanded them to five. We are going to what we call the super-cluster design.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is intuitive, though I can't say it's necessarily easy. It's just that I've been doing it for several years now.
What about the implementation team?
We do implementations with our in-house team.
What other advice do I have?
I think Oracle is the way to go. It's a solid RDBMS. There's lots to learn.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
DBA Architect at a aerospace/defense firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
11g has helped increase the performance of our database. We're also able to maintain it easier.
Valuable Features:
From a storage and memory perspective, 11g is great. We also tried to install 12c on our machines, but we weren't happy about it because there were two version of it and we weren't ready to use the required plugins. We'll go to 12c next year, but I'd like to know whether we can go straight to 13c, which is already out.
Improvements to My Organization:
11g has helped increase the performance of our database. We're also able to maintain it easier and better.
Room for Improvement:
It's really not very user-friendly. Once installed and set up, there are still a lot of other steps we've had to take to get it functioning the way we want and need it to.
Deployment Issues:
Deploying it required a lot of customization steps.
Stability Issues:
The stability is better than with 10g, in our experience with it.
Scalability Issues:
The scalability is OK, but now that we're pushing 30GB of data per hour, there are problems with applications at the OIS level not handling the data correctly.
Initial Setup:
I performed the full setup myself but winged the rest. I had problems with the patches even though the upgrade installation went well. I spoke with DBA's in other companies and they had no problems with the patches. I still haven't come up with a solution.
Other Advice:
It's a good product, better than older versions.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Oracle Database
March 2025

Learn what your peers think about Oracle Database. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
848,716 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Vice Director of IT Department at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
For me as a DBA, the most important features are the partitioning option, active data guard, and security options.
What is most valuable?
For me as a DBA, the most important features are the partitioning option, active data guard, and security options. All of these are very useful for my daily workflow.
How has it helped my organization?
Oracle Database is the core of our enterprise information system, which I maintain.
What needs improvement?
I think Oracle 12c has a lot of new functionality that has never been in the previous versions I work with, 8i to 11g, for example, master-slave architecture where you can plug and run multiple databases from a single master database as well as the ability to create a container database (CDB) that contains all the Oracle-level data and data dictionary.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used it since 2000, so more than 15 years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
All the issues I dealt with during deployment have been related to other applications and not the Database itself. All of the issues were fixed by programmers during the deployment and test implementation phases.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
All the issues I dealt with in regards to instability have been related to other applications and not the Database itself. All of the issues were fixed by programmers during the deployment and test implementation phases.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
All the issues I dealt with in scaling it have been related to other applications and not the Database itself. All of the issues were fixed by programmers during the deployment and test implementation phases.
How are customer service and technical support?
Oracle has an excellent knowledge base and, using this, I fixed over 90% of issues myself.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have experience with Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and 2012, but my main activity is Oracle RDBMS.
How was the initial setup?
Initial setup steps are very straightforward and clearly set out in the documentation.
What about the implementation team?
I have experience with implementation both through a vendor team and in-house. I would strongly recommend to have a very clear understanding of how an applied system works because the most issues you will have to deal with are with the applied logic, and not with the Database itself.
What was our ROI?
It depends on applied information system and what kind of RDBMS features and options have been used by your development team or by the vendor.
What other advice do I have?
If you want to have a high-performing, stable, secure, and scalable system, you will choose Oracle Database.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Sr Enterprise Database Admin at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
It gives us 99% uptime while reliably capturing all the data that's important to our business.
Valuable Features
In our business, we deal with vast amounts of financial data. We need to be able to capture all of it accurately without any downtime. We're able to do that with ODB because it gives us 99% uptime while reliably capturing all the data that's important to our business.
Room for Improvement
The look and feel of it needs improvement. It looks and feels the same throughout, but there are times when we want or need a different instance to have a different look and feel. In other words, it would be nice to be able to customize it to better suit our needs.
Deployment Issues
We've had no issues with deployment.
Stability Issues
It's very good, very stable. We're in our own ODB shop, and so far we haven't seen any issues with instability.
It is very good, very stable. We are in our own Database shop, and so far we haven't seen any issues.
Scalability Issues
We can scale it, and we are currently exploring cloud options.
Customer Service and Technical Support
We are always in touch with Oracle support, so we create cases with them often. They are very good and very consistent across all our Oracle products at every location. Technical support is centralized so we know we'll get good, consistent service from the reps.
Initial Setup
It's very easy and straightforward to set up.
Implementation Team
We implemented it in-house because it was so easy.
Other Solutions Considered
We are actually exploring other products like GoldenGate. We believe this product will give us our next big break. We're also looking into Cloud Control 13c.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Lead Oracle / Peoplesoft DBA at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees
In our experience, Oracle Database is highly stable, which is the best part of it.
Valuable Features
The key and most valuable feature of any database solution is its stability. In our experience, Oracle Database is highly stable, which is the best part of it. It's certainly much more stable than Microsoft SQL Server.
Improvements to My Organization
The biggest improvement to our organization is that with ODB's stability, it gives us back our time and attention to deal with more pressing issues. We know that we have ready access to our data with ODB, and that it can be relied on.
Room for Improvement
Although ODB is stable and reliable, to make stable and reliable it has to be carefully planned because it's complicated. You really have to know how Oracle works in order to not make mistakes that compromises the DB's functioning. You have to know what you're doing and you should make sure your entire team is familiar with the documentation.
Deployment Issues
We've had no issues deploying it. Again, you have to be careful, though, because it's complicated.
Stability Issues
Stability is a 5 out of 5. Again, ODB's stability is its best and most important feature for us.
Scalability Issues
Scalability is a 5 out of 5. We've been able to scale it for our needs.
Customer Service and Technical Support
Technical support isn't perfect. I give them a 4 out of 5.
Initial Setup
I found setup to be complicated depending on how it's to be used. For us, it was complicated but we knew what we were doing.
Other Advice
There's a lot more to Oracle, and it's not as simple as you think. It's not like anybody can go and install it because you need to know what you're doing. As a team, you have to go through all the proper documentation.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Project Manager at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Serve your business confidently and help it grow with Oracle RDBMS.
What is most valuable?
From a business stand point, the ability to go to market, compliance and business enabling is what matters most. Oracle database has rich functionalities that helped us design a system that meets our business' changing needs. However I was responsible for maintaining service levels. My focus was on how to provide consistent response time and the throughput amidst changing business needs and growing data. Oracle database offers one of the industry's best diagnostic infrastructure that enables expert DBA to know exactly how system behaves under different workload, thus able to proactively prevent any performance bottlenecks or quickly respond to exceptional situation or even be able to predict future performance.
How has it helped my organization?
Databases are usually unknown to business users. The business users draw value by using the system to operate the business processes and making the decision at various stages. Businesses do not expect exceptions in their daily routine from a computerized system. Having said that, consistently performing systems enables businesses to serve the customer in consistent manner.
What needs improvement?
Today we do lots of database consolidations, which means multiple applications reside in the same physical databases using one or more schema. I would like to see some seamless feature to simply drag and drop all the objects belong to one application from one database to another database.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used Oracle database releases from 8i to 11g since 2001. We used it primarily as a database component of Oracle Application 11i. Subsequently we continue to expand the usage to many new application systems including business intelligence and B2B applications.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
Oracle databases are the most reliable, accompanied by good documentation and support. We never encountered an issue during the deployment which was due to a product issue.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Any system goes through a phase of stabilizing which takes a fair amount of time. Fortunately, with Oracle database, this time has reduced significantly.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Not in our line of business.
How are customer service and technical support?
Since 2001, I have enjoyed reliable service from Oracle Support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We always used Oracle Database. We also have SQL Server databases serving many small-medium scale applications. And they perform better as well. In my experience, SQL server databases offers stable database environment. It is easy to use and quick to learn for new DBAs with same windows UI.
How was the initial setup?
Initial setup was certainly complex, specifically from the application standpoint. We had deployed many new modules that Oracle Application 11i offered in their version 11.5.4. These products had significant impact on database performance. There were also many customizations in the application system. It took us almost 6 months to establish consistently performing system environment.
What about the implementation team?
In Singapore we implemented through Oracle Consulting. They are one of the best in the industry with a huge amount of dedication.
What other advice do I have?
Oracle database is one of the best database systems with largest population of experts around helping the global communities. Hence the knowledgebase is rich and vast. However, workout a strong business case in order to get it approved by the sponsor. As a technology expert, IT function needs clear strategy while selecting one product over another.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Software Architeture at Enformatik Yazılım Bilgi Teknolojileri Mühendislik Ltd.
The solution provides high availability, but it should enable users to administer the database easily
Pros and Cons
- "The product provides high availability."
- "The product must provide an autonomous database."
What is our primary use case?
The solution is used for accessing and restoring data.
What is most valuable?
The product provides high availability. I can easily use the product because I have 20 to 25 years of database experience.
What needs improvement?
The product must provide an autonomous database. It should enable users to administer the database easily like other open-source databases. Oracle RAC must be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I am using the solution currently.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The tool is stable. I rate the stability an eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the tool’s scalability a five out of ten. We need too many servers. Our customers use the product, and we support them. Our customers have about 100 users, including developers and managers. We are planning to increase the number of users.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I used primitive tools before.
How was the initial setup?
We need four people to deploy the product.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I rate the pricing a five out of ten.
What other advice do I have?
We are solution partners. Oracle Database is an enterprise solution with high availability. It's for professionals. Overall, I rate the product a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Jefe de Infraestructura y Servicios de TI at Grupo ASD
Responsive, highly stable, but expensive
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of Oracle Database is its responsiveness."
- "The price of the solution should be lower."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Oracle Database for the database use cases.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Oracle Database is its responsiveness.
What needs improvement?
The price of the solution should be lower.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Oracle Database for approximately one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Oracle Database is highly stable.
I rate the stability of Oracle Database a ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the scalability of Oracle Database a ten out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
I rate support of Oracle Database a ten out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Oracle Database is simple.
What was our ROI?
I have not seen a return on investment because of the high cost.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of Oracle Database is too expensive.
We might be switching solutions because the price is too high.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to others is this solution is great in capabilities and functionality but it is too expensive.
I rate Oracle Database a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.

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Oracle has grown with rich features year after years and that's what it makes a #1 RDBMS database today.