SQL Server vs Oracle Database vs MySQL

Customer Success Manager at PeerSpot

Published:Jun 26, 2017

What are IT professionals saying about relational databases in 2022?

PeerSpot users have compared the three key players in the relational database industry: SQL Server, Oracle Database, and MySQL. What can be learned from the relational database reviews and feedback that our user community has shared? Read the review excerpts below to find out.

SQL Server

An inexpensive solution that integrates well

Ever V. Architect of Solutions at Interbank, says, "SQL Server is an inexpensive solution. I recommend it if the project isn't sensitive. SQL is similar to Oracle and integrates well with tools in the cloud environment. The difference is that Oracle is for data solutions where there is replication and moderation."

Reliable, secure, and fast

Azizul H. AVP, IT Division at NCC BANK LIMITED, tells us, "It is secure, and it is fast. For our present database size, we are using the Always-On feature on SQL Server so that our transactions are replicated among three servers. If one server goes down, we can find the data from other servers. We have benefited from this feature."

Some areas of concern are:

"It needs to be improved to handle big data for large volumes of transactions for big industries. As compared to Oracle Database, SQL Server is not suitable for big data or large organizations where the database size could be more than 100 GB or more. In our country, for a large database and a large volume of transactions, we normally use Oracle Database. Most of the large banks are shifting from SQL Server to Oracle Database because of its slowness."

Oracle Database

Key features keep things running fast

An ERP Database Administrator at a non-profit tells us that a valued feature with Oracle is the Enterprise Manager feature. "Oracle Database is running on the same old hardware that I had the 11g version on and it is operating faster. It seems to be really good. It's fast even when the workload is heavy, easy to do backups and other administrative tasks with the Enterprise Manager."

Great functionality

Another user who is a Technical Lead at a computer software company, relates, "The most valuable feature of Oracle Database is all the functionalities. When we write a code we sometimes have to create an explicit functionality to process the data that we want. At times we find that there is already existing functionality in data created by Oracle itself, it is helpful."

MySQL

Straightforward and very easy to use

One user who is a Software Engineer at a financial services firm tells us, "MySQL is easy to use, has fast performance, and it is comfortable for end-user to use. The schema level and structure we are using are very simple and easy to understand. Additionally, packaging tool development is straightforward and the data is presented in a way that is very simple to understand."

Satishbabu G., who is an Oracle ACE, relates, “MySQL is a relational database and it is easy to install, handle day-to-day activities, and manage backups. It is compatible with a lot of other shared database solutions. MySQL has cross-platform support for multiple operating systems. The backups on a Linux machine can be restored on a Windows machine, and vice versa. MySQL supports multiple window displays and it is useful for developers and users who don’t have much database knowledge.”

Read more relational database reviews from 2022 on PeerSpot.

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3 Comments

Last commented on Jan 5, 2018

НЕ

Недашковский Евгений

Senior SQL DBA at a financial services firm with 51-200 employees

Real User

Jan 5, 2018

To be honest I believe Oracle is the best option if you have unlimited budget. For companies that want to spend some reasonable money SQL Server is the best option. It is suitable in 95% cases but it functionality is a little bit limited comparing to Oracle. Though I am sure that 99,99% is that you do not need that 5% of functionality. But who knows.
All the freebies (MySQL, Maria, PostreSQL) are questionable. Usually you get what you pay for. If you paid nothing...
What to choose? Choose what other companies use and check what kind of workforce is available in your area. You may find it funny to find out that after purchasing DB2 the cheapest option to support it is to relocate some guy from Slovenia.

it_user514683

CEO, owner and freelancer at a tech services company

Consultant

Sep 13, 2017

Oracle is the best commercial SQL DB, and PostgreSQL the best free alternative. MySQL or MariaDB not so good. And MongoDB for future needs, if applicable.

it_user699492

Independent DB2 Consultant at a tech services company with 1-10 employees

Consultant

Jul 9, 2017

DB2 should be named as a key relational database. The world's first commercially available RDBMS and arguably still the best.

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Related Questions

Sajesh Rajagopal

Vice President Information Technology at RBL Bank Ltd

Oct 5, 2023

Which solution do you prefer: Microsoft SQL Server's enterprise edition or Oracle Database's enterprise edition?

See 2 answers

Patric Gehl

Managing Director at rpc GmbH

Oct 2, 2023

As always, it depends: First look is the area: on-premise server (your own hardware) or in the cloud? If you want to use your own server, look at the operating system? In my opinion, SQL Server fits best on Windows; Oracle on Unix/Linux. Next is your size of data and the application you want to use: rule of thumb: the more data, the more I tend to Oracle; but Oracle is not 'automatically better'! You need an expert to configure the system for optimal use! A simple setup is often not enough! (There are a lot of screws you can turn, but turning the wrong ones is a negative! And more Hardware is not the solution to a slow system). I think the first step is to look at which app creates and consume which data, where in your network is your data needed and then decide the RDBMS. I have worked for years in a mixed environment; we use a large Oracle RDBMS on AIX to store the large amount of data of several production systems; but also some SQL Server RDBMS to distribute data for some evaluations or reports. In the Oracle RDBMS are 30 Years of data of the whole production process; in SQL Servers are consolidated data for reporting. So first make a compilation of your existing data and application and the future requirements; then you can decide; and the result can also be a mixed world!

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Abdellateef Hasan

IT Manager at a insurance company with 201-500 employees

Oct 5, 2023

Your decision should ideally be based on: - The specific needs and existing infrastructure of your organization. - Cost considerations. - Desired features and potential future scaling. - Expertise available within your organization or your hiring intentions. I can provide a comparison based on the characteristics of Microsoft SQL Server's Enterprise Edition and Oracle Database's Enterprise Edition: 1. Licensing and Cost: - SQL Server: Historically, SQL Server has been considered to be more cost-effective than Oracle. Microsoft offers both core-based and CAL (Client Access License) based licensing options. - Oracle: Oracle is often perceived as more expensive, with its licensing based primarily on cores (with considerations for hyper-threading). There are also additional costs for add-on features which might be included in other platforms. 2. Platform Integration: - SQL Server: Tends to have better integration with other Microsoft products like Windows OS, .NET, Azure, etc. - Oracle: Oracle offers a wide range of integrated tools, but the integration might not be as smooth with non-Oracle products. 3. Performance: - Both databases are enterprise-grade and offer high performance, but the actual performance can depend on the specific use-case, database design, hardware, and many other factors. 4. Features: - SQL Server: SQL Server offers features like Always On Availability Groups, Columnstore Indexes, and integration with tools like Power BI. - Oracle: Offers advanced features like Real Application Clusters (RAC), Exadata optimizations, Advanced Compression, Partitioning, etc. Some of these features, however, come with additional licensing costs. 5. Ease of Use: - SQL Server: Often considered more user-friendly, especially for those organizations already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem. - Oracle: Might have a steeper learning curve, but offers flexibility and depth for those familiar with it. 6. Cloud Integration: - SQL Server: Has tight integration with Azure, Microsoft's cloud solution. - Oracle: Oracle Cloud offers various services tailored to the Oracle Database, and the company has been pushing its cloud services aggressively.

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Netanya Carmi

Content Manager at PeerSpot (formerly IT Central Station)

Dec 18, 2022

What is one thing you would improve with MySQL?

See 2 answers

Deena Nouril

Tech Blogger

Dec 18, 2022

I use the open-source version of MySQL so if I want to fix something, I do it straight in the code. I cannot name a particular flaw with the solution or something fundamental that must be changed. However, I need to note how useful it is that Oracle kept a free version of this product. It is understandable why they bought it - they are a big data company and MySQL was the best free solution out there. I hear from the community that they fix things within the product in a timely manner and continuously update and upgrade it. But keeping the free version is useful for them too, as people like me can point out bugs that they may not see and fix them.

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Clive Nelson

Works

Dec 18, 2022

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 online. But now Oracle owns it, and they are well-known for their Oracle University and extensive courses. So it makes absolutely no sense how complex the guides for MySQL still are! Someone just beginning to use this solution will have no clue how to do it - it is very hard to grasp based solely on the official documentation. I hope they improve this in the future. It will be helpful for their customer support too, as it will save them time from having to answer user questions.

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Umair Hassan

Database Administrator at a computer software company with 201-500 employees

Jan 19, 2023

Encrypting Percona MySQL Keyring - A Step-By-Step Guide - Part Two

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Dec 28, 2022

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