Firebird SQL Reviews

Name: Firebird SQL
Brand: Firebird
Rating: 3.9 (15 reviews)

Vendor: Firebird

3.9 out of 5

15 reviews
86% willing to recommend

539 followers

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What is Firebird SQL?

Firebird SQL is an open-source, cross-platform relational database management system that offers an enterprise-level database solution. The solution is designed to be highly secure, efficient, and compatible with various platforms and programming languages. Firebird can operate in both embedded and server modes.

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Firebird SQL is the #1 ranked solution in Top Embedded Database Systems and #3 ranked solution in top Open Source Databases. PeerSpot users give Firebird SQL an average rating of 7.8 out of 10. Firebird SQL is most commonly compared to SQLite: Firebird SQL vs SQLite. Firebird SQL is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 49% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Embedded Database

February 2025

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Featured Firebird SQL reviews

Doug Meuross

Strategic Advisor at TradeWindow

I have had no issues with the stability of the product since it has always been a 100 percent reliable product and much better than the other databases available in the market. The multi-platform part is not good, especially when locked into things like Windows. You can judge your platform with Linux or Unix or whatever since they are good.

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Nicolae Ancuta

Retail Solution & BI Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

On large databases, we have some difficulties. It is one of the areas of improvement. For example, under one gigabyte, it works perfectly. Between one and five gigabytes, you might experience some slight performance issues, but they are not significant. Beyond that, you have to index it, tier it, and perform some restore operations to free up space. It requires some effort, but it's manageable. It's quite challenging for the customer. Moreover, migrating from one firewall solution to another was a little bit difficult regarding the backup and restoring the other one. Since we have many databases, we didn't go forward with the latest versions.

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Ruben Conti

Owner at Intersoftware sas

Firebird can compete with well-known names like Oracle and SQL Server when you don't have more than a few hundred thousand users. It's a level below SQL Server, and the application of SQL is a kind of database you can rely on for situations where you don't have too much information to deal with. For example, you can use it for the internet or national projects, but when you have millions of users, then it's not possible for other services.

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Firebird SQL mindshare

Product category:

As of March 2025, the mindshare of Firebird SQL in the Embedded Database category stands at 24.8%, up from 23.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Embedded Database

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Jan 24, 2025

Valuable Features

Firebird SQL is praised for easy deployment on multiple operating systems, lightweight design, and integration capabilities. Users highlight reliability, ease of management, and robust performance. Its ability to work without extensive administration reduces the need for dedicated management teams. Features like database creation, event capabilities, and transactional features are noted. It's valued for handling stock management and code analysis. Cost-effectiveness without external fees and similarity to InterBase are appreciated.

"The reliability and ease of management are very valuable."
"Firebird SQL is an open-source solution."
"Robustness is the absolutely main feature."

Room for Improvement

Firebird SQL requires enhancements in performance, scalability, and security. Users report the need for better automation and integration with other tools. Improving user-friendliness and technical support is recommended. A graphical user interface and support for large databases are needed. There is a demand for new features like database sharing, monitoring capabilities, and better compatibility with Visual Studio. Users also experience challenges with large database management and suggest adding redundancy and encryption features.

"We would like to improve the management of very large databases."
"Firebird SQL's performance has slowed since Firebird SQL 3 or 3.5 versions, where they developed over-the-wire encryption."
"The main feature I expect is to be able to work with different databases at the same time because that's a wishlist item for me."

Pricing

Firebird SQL is perceived as an affordable solution, particularly when compared to Microsoft, with no licensing or setup costs due to its open-source nature. Organizations appreciate its freeware availability and ability to install without license fees. Some report a yearly maintenance fee, yet overall, the absence of licensing costs makes it a valuable investment. The free version suffices many needs, reinforcing its reputation as a cost-effective choice among enterprise users.

"It's open-source and free."
"The tool is open source."
"Firebird SQL is an open-source solution, which means it is a free product."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Firebird SQL as a database for various functions such as enterprise resource planning, code quality scanning, accounting, and data storage. It is utilized by educational institutions, financial entities, logistics companies, and integrators for applications like ERP, PLM, and continuous integration. It serves as an embedded, zero-administration database supporting customer data management, patient records, and audit implementations in diverse environments, including network and student settings, facilitating effective data handling and storage needs.

Service and Support

Many users report not requiring technical support due to their own resources or Firebird SQL's stability. Some find responses slow or insufficient, suggesting room for improvement. A dedicated forum and online documentation aid most needs, with community-driven solutions preferred. While some express satisfaction, others have had less satisfactory interactions, emphasizing reliance on restarting systems. Overall, support experiences vary, with no widespread dependency on official technical assistance.

Deployment

Firebird SQL's initial setup is generally easy and straightforward, though some find it slightly complicated initially. Most deployments are quick, ranging from a few minutes to a day. Technical teams often handle it without issues or needing specialized knowledge. Some users note needing more assistance for maintenance. Configurations are easily manageable, and installations are often fast and efficient, even in diverse environments.

Scalability

Firebird SQL is recognized as scalable by many users across various organizations. It supports multiple user counts, ranging from a handful to over a thousand. Some users note high scalability, effectively supporting small to enterprise-sized businesses. However, a few express concerns regarding its performance when managing concurrent processes. Despite varying user numbers and organizational needs, scalability appears consistent for numerous deployments without major expansion plans.

Stability

Many find Firebird SQL remarkably stable, often describing it as reliable and robust under various configurations. Users appreciate its reliability, even when managing extensive data volumes, attributing stable operation to well-implemented structures. Some note multi-platform limitations, especially with certain operating systems, but still emphasize its superior stability compared to other databases. They have faced no significant issues, expressing satisfaction with its consistent performance and dependability across different environments.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

University

Educational Organization

Retailer

Government

Media Company

Hospitality Company

Healthcare Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Construction Company

Insurance Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Non Profit

Legal Firm

Energy/Utilities Company

Performing Arts

Outsourcing Company

Transportation Company

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Wellness & Fitness Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Leisure / Travel Company

Recruiting/Hr Firm

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Learn more about Firebird SQL

Firebird is an open-source project with an active community of developers and users. It is released under the Initial Developer's Public License (IDPL) and the InterBase Public License, allowing for free use, modification, and distribution.

The Firebird solution requires minimal configuration and its architecture allows it to efficiently handle databases ranging from a few KB to multiple terabytes. It is available for various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and several Unix-like platforms.

What are the key features of Firebird SQL?

ACID Compliance: Firebird provides full support for ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) transactions, ensuring data integrity and consistency, even in the event of system failures or concurrent access.
SQL Language Support: Firebird SQL provides extensive support for ANSI SQL, which is the standard SQL language, making it compatible with a wide range of applications and tools.
Multi-Generational Architecture: Firebird employs a multi-generational architecture, which allows multiple versions of the same data to coexist within the database.
Concurrency and Performance: Firebird offers efficient concurrency control mechanisms, including multi-version concurrency control (MVCC), which allows multiple transactions to access and modify data simultaneously without locking or blocking each other, improving overall performance.
Embedded mode: In the embedded mode, the database engine is integrated directly into the application.
Security Features: Firebird provides user authentication, role-based access control, and encryption capabilities. It supports various authentication methods, such as native Firebird user accounts, external authentication sources (e.g., Windows domains), and single sign-on (SSO) mechanisms.
Backup and Restore: Firebird offers built-in backup and restore utilities, allowing users to create full or incremental backups of the database, as well as restore from these backups when needed.

As part of being a commonly used open-sourced solution, Firebird boasts a vibrant community of developers and users. The community provides extensive documentation, third-party tools, and active forums for support. Businesses can also opt for professional support services offered by third-party vendors for added assurance.

To summarize, Firebird SQL is a robust, scalable, and cost-effective database solution suitable for a wide range of applications and business sizes. Its comprehensive SQL support, security features, and cross-platform compatibility, combined with the active community support, make it a compelling choice for businesses looking to leverage the power of open-source software without compromising on performance or security.