Head of IT Department / Oracle DBA at Sonabel
Real User
Top 20
An open-source SQL relational database management system with no external data migration fees, but performance could be better.
Pros and Cons
  • "I like that we don't have to pay external fees to migrate this data. So, we are looking to relocate from Postgres or EDB."
  • "Technical support and performance could be better. We have some problems with this solution, but we don't know if the problem is with the database or the configuration. For example, sometimes, the users can't access the database."

What is our primary use case?

We use Firebird SQL for resource planning.

What is most valuable?

I like that we don't have to pay external fees to migrate this data. So, we are looking to relocate from Postgres or EDB.

What needs improvement?

Technical support and performance could be better. We have some problems with this solution, but we don't know if the problem is with the database or the configuration. For example, sometimes, the users can't access the database.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Firebird SQL for about three years. 

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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Firebird SQL is a scalable product. We have more than 1,050 users at our organization. You need about five administrators to maintain this database.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support wasn't what we expected. When we called about a problem, they asked us to restart the database. 

What other advice do I have?

On a scale from one to ten, I would give Firebird SQL a six.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
DBA at a consultancy with 201-500 employees
Real User
Free to use but they need to add features such as functionality with redundancy
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is very useful for stock management."
  • "It would be interesting if they added functionality with redundancy, reputation, and variability."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for the Stonewall organization for the Department of Instruction.

What is most valuable?

The solution is very useful for stock management.

The solution has worked perfectly; I've never run into issues or had to reach out to technical support for troubleshooting.

What needs improvement?

I've never had any issues with the solution, so I can't think of any improvements it would need.

It would be interesting if they added functionality with redundancy, reputation, and variability.

For how long have I used the solution?

I installed the solution three to five years ago.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is a good, stable product. The database is quite simple and I've had no problems with it.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I'm not sure if I can speak to the scalability of the solution, as I haven't tried to scale it. We don't plan to increase usage as we only use it for one project.

How are customer service and technical support?

I've never had issues with the solution, so I haven't been in touch with technical support.

How was the initial setup?

The solution isn't too difficult to install. We have two environments for tests and production. The solution has a medium level of difficulty because there's only one utilization with Firebird, so it's not too difficult for us.

Deployment takes one day at the most.

What about the implementation team?

I handled the implementation myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution is freeware, so it doesn't cost anything to use it.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I didn't evaluate other options. I found a recommendation for this solution online and decided to implement it.

What other advice do I have?

I use this solution specifically for one database.

It's a good product for little databases.

We only use this solution for one project. Mostly, we're focused on MariaDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.

I'd rate the solution five or six out of ten for the possibilities it has currently. I'd rate it at a nine or a ten if they added more features like availability.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
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Ruben Conti - PeerSpot reviewer
Owner at Intersoftware sas
Real User
Top 10
Integrates with most operating systems, easy to use, and informative online documentation
Pros and Cons
  • "Firebird SQL is an open-source solution and can run on most operating systems, such as Linux, Unix, and Windows."
  • "The solution could improve by providing partitioning and encryption. It is not at the higher level of database solution but it could be with some upgrades."

What is our primary use case?

We use Firebird SQL as a database in our organization.

What is most valuable?

Firebird SQL is an open-source solution and can run on most operating systems, such as Linux, Unix, and Windows.

What needs improvement?

The solution could improve by providing partitioning and encryption. It is not at the higher level of database solution but it could be with some upgrades.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used Firebird SQL for approximately 20 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have approximately 100 users using the solution.

How are customer service and support?

I have not needed to use technical support. However, there is online documentation available for all of your needs.

How was the initial setup?

Firebird SQL is easy to install.

What about the implementation team?

I did the implementation of the solution myself. Any technician can do the implementation it is not difficult.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is a yearly maintenance fee for the use of the solution.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I rate Firebird SQL an eight 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.
PeerSpot user
Operations Director at ALTERSIS Performance
Real User
Overall a good product that helps us in detecting all kinds of problems in the code
Pros and Cons
  • "It helps us in detecting all kinds of problems in the code, such as bad quality, unclear code, or any violation in the code or best practices."
  • "It would be good to have more automation and integration with the tools from other vendors."

What is our primary use case?

We are an integrator, and we work with customers to implement this solution to perform some audits. We use Firebird SQL with SonarQube for continuous integration.

We are using Firebird SQL for our quality of code application to scan the code, create reports, and detect any best practices for code development for things like duration.

What is most valuable?

It helps us in detecting all kinds of problems in the code, such as bad quality, unclear code, or any violation in the code or best practices. 

What needs improvement?

It would be good to have more automation and integration with the tools from other vendors.

For how long have I used the solution?

I started to use Firebird SQL two or three years ago in my previous organization, which specialized in software development. We are also implementing this solution in my current organization, which is into performance applications. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable. Currently, around 10% or 15% of users are using Firebird SQL.

How are customer service and technical support?

They need to be more reactive and fast. Sometimes, they take too long to resolve some tickets.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward and quick. There are no problems with its installation. 
It took us two to three weeks to install it for a customer.

What about the implementation team?

Our team deployed it. We have two to three teams for integration and installation. These teams include system administrators and software developers.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It is okay.

What other advice do I have?

We are satisfied with Firebird SQL, and we will keep on using it.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten. It is overall a good product.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
PeerSpot user
CEO at a tech vendor with 11-50 employees
Real User
Perfect for small companies and is easy to deploy
Pros and Cons
  • "I find the ease of deployment to be the most valuable aspect of this solution."
  • "I don't think the solution is very scalable, because the scalability of the performance when using more than one process is not very good."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case of the solution is as database for our EP systems.

What is most valuable?

I find the ease of deployment to be the most valuable aspect of this solution. 

What needs improvement?

I think the performance and features of the program can be improved. The scalability of the performance when using more than one process is not so good. I would also like more or better security.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Firebird SQL for more than ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We've had no issues so far, so the solution is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I don't think the solution is very scalable because the scalability of the performance when using more than one process is not very good.

We deploy Firebird SQL for some of our customers too, so we have a lot of customers, and then we have five people for deployment at the moment. We don't have plans to increase our usage. 

How are customer service and technical support?

We have our own technical team, so we don't have to call customer service.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We currently use Firebird as well as Microsoft SQL Server. The performance and scalability of Microsoft are much better, but it's a more expensive solution of course because it's a commercial license.

How was the initial setup?

It was really easy and straightforward to set up the solution and deployment took about five minutes. Our own technical team was responsible for this.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It is more affordable than Microsoft and there are no additional costs. It is a public domain system as every customer can install it on their system without paying any license fee.

What other advice do I have?

Firebird can be used in simple situations and in more at-home situations, but there are better solutions out there for bigger customers. That is my main advice to others. What's more, Firebird SQL is a bit cheaper than Microsoft. For what we are using it, I would rate it an eight out of ten. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Co-founder at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Lightweight and powerful
Pros and Cons
  • "I can deploy it on Linux, Mac OS, and Windows — it's very easy."
  • "In the next release, it should support JSON, XML, and replication with third-party tools."

What is most valuable?

I like Firebird because it's very lightweight. It's very light and powerful. I can do everything that I can with MS SQL Server, and Oracle — I can do the same things with Firebird. It has some very interesting features. For example, I can update and insert with one statement. The deployment is very easy. I can deploy it on Linux, Mac OS, and Windows — it's very easy. 

Also, the integration capabilities are great.

What needs improvement?

There aren't a lot of people using this solution — it's not very popular in the marketplace. It's been around for 21 years, but not many people have heard of it.

In the next release, it should support JSON, XML, and replication with third-party tools.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Firebird SQL is very stable.

How are customer service and technical support?

Firebird is an open-source database. There is a dedicated onsite forum to converse with other users. I have never used technical support from the developer. I find all of the answers that I need in the forum — in the community.

How was the initial setup?

Deployment is very easy.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, on a scale from one to ten, I would give this solution a rating of eight.

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.
PeerSpot user
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Updated: April 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Embedded Database Report and find out what your peers are saying about Firebird, SQLite, Embarcadero, and more!