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MariaDB Reviews

Vendor: MariaDB
4.1 out of 5
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What is MariaDB?

MariaDB is an open source relational database created by the original founders of MySQL. It is considered one of the most popular and trusted database servers throughout the world. MariaDB is a valued component found in most cloud offerings and is the default in many Linux tools. It is also widely used by Wikipedia, WordPress, and Google, among other well-known sites. Maria DB easily melds data into concise information from a vast array of applications, such as banking, online shopping, websites, and more.

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MariaDB is the #8 ranked solution in top Open Source Databases and top Relational Databases. PeerSpot users give MariaDB an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. MariaDB is most commonly compared to Teradata: MariaDB vs Teradata. MariaDB is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 47% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 12% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
MariaDB
February 2026
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MariaDB mindshare

Product category:
Open Source Databases
As of March 2026, the mindshare of MariaDB in the Open Source Databases category stands at 5.9%, down from 6.6% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Open Source Databases Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
MariaDB5.9%
PostgreSQL14.4%
Firebird SQL11.9%
Other67.8%
Open Source Databases

PeerResearch reports based on MariaDB reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryOpen Source DatabasesMar 20, 2026Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersMar 20, 2026Download
ComparisonMariaDB vs MySQLMar 20, 2026Download
ComparisonMariaDB vs PostgreSQLMar 20, 2026Download
ComparisonMariaDB vs ClickHouseMar 20, 2026Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Teradata4.1N/A88%83 interviewsAdd to research
SQL Server4.2N/A93%272 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated Jan 25, 2026

Valuable Features

Key features of MariaDB include high availability, reliability, and performance. Users appreciate its open-source nature, easy setup, user-friendliness, and compatibility with MySQL. MariaDB offers advanced replication, powerful query optimization, and multi-processing capabilities. It excels in cloud-based deployments and supports complex relationships with large datasets. Its security features, such as data-at-rest encryption, are valued for secure data transmission. The user community finds MariaDB efficient for various operational requirements, citing its stable and scalable nature.
  • "The technical support of MariaDB is very helpful, and they came and tuned our queries with one-to-one assistance."
  • "Configuration, setup, and schema design are good features in MariaDB, and typical database features we have used include backup, configuration, recovery, archiving, and ETL."
  • "Visual Studio offers unit testing integration and extensive searching capabilities."

Room for Improvement

MariaDB requires enhanced security, better BI tool integration, and a more user-friendly interface. Improvements in clustering, replication, and scaling capabilities are needed. Stability and performance during complex queries present challenges. Users find redundancy and high availability lacking and desire easier configuration and support for materialized views. Advanced indexing and transaction handling could be improved, and there are calls for more features common in MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL. Better automation and guide support could also benefit users.
  • "Sometimes, complex queries that were supported in Oracle are not available in MariaDB."
  • "Complex queries in MariaDB where the query needs to parse thousands of lines or data values face some performance issues."
  • "The features available are very basic."

ROI

Various users report that using MariaDB yields a high return on investment. They save costs by not requiring Oracle licenses and gain time efficiency. Some organizations have just begun utilizing MariaDB, so their results are forthcoming. Community support enriches MariaDB’s features like data compression and encryption, enhancing its adaptability for diverse requirements through collaborative coding. Users find MariaDB's varied functions beneficial for broad use as a relational database, contributing to significant cost-efficiency.

Pricing

MariaDB is widely used by enterprise buyers in its free, open-source form, appreciated for its cost-effectiveness compared to Oracle. Many opt for the community version to avoid license fees, though enterprise options start around $4,000 annually, depending on requirements and project size. Optional paid support and licensing offer flexibility, allowing companies to balance cost against performance. MariaDB's pricing model is often seen as a good compromise between affordability and feature offerings.
  • "MariaDB is available for free."
  • "The tool is open-source."
  • "The product is not expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Entities primarily use MariaDB for various applications like eCommerce, payroll solutions, business intelligence, and data warehouses. It's incorporated for storing and processing data, supporting web applications, managing cloud platforms, and replacing MySQL. It handles structured data in IoT systems, cloud telephony, and telecom operations. Users employ MariaDB for identity systems, financial software, and analytics, leveraging its relational database strengths for SQL queries and complex joins. Organizations favor it due to its open-source nature and compatibility.

Service and Support

MariaDB users report varying levels of satisfaction with customer service and support. Many users don't contact support, relying on internal expertise or online resources. Those who interact with support praise its effectiveness, noting good responses and assistance. Some rate it highly, though some find response times slow or documentation lacking. Users appreciate community support for the open-source edition, though enterprise clients value professional support. Ratings range from five to ten, indicating mixed experiences.

Deployment

Users report MariaDB's initial setup as simple and quick, often completed in under an hour. Some mention it can become complex when handling advanced configurations like replication. Generally, deploying MariaDB is straightforward, especially with Docker or containers. Teams find the setup aided by robust community support and documentation, requiring minimal personnel. Those familiar with MySQL find the transition seamless. Complexity varies based on project requirements, but most describe it as manageable.

Scalability

MariaDB is generally scalable, with many users and entities reporting successful deployment across various environments. Some note that certain configurations or additional products, such as SkySQL or Xpand, may be necessary for optimal scalability, especially in large or complex scenarios. Instances requiring extensive scaling may face limitations compared to larger databases like Oracle. Others report no performance issues and find it suited for small to medium-sized deployments. Some indicate that scalability can improve with specific configurations or clusters.

Stability

Many users report high stability with MariaDB, noting its reliability and rare downtime. They mention stable performance even under heavy load, often rating its stability around eight or nine out of ten. Occasional issues are related to configurations like master-slave synch but can be resolved with adjustments. It operates well in various environments, and while some mention compatibility concerns during system updates, MariaDB generally meets expectations without significant disruptions.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our MariaDB Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business22
Midsize Enterprise10
Large Enterprise23
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business163
Midsize Enterprise82
Large Enterprise214
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
12%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
University
9%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Government
5%
Retailer
5%
Educational Organization
4%
Marketing Services Firm
4%
Healthcare Company
4%
Performing Arts
4%
Hospitality Company
3%
Media Company
3%
Construction Company
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
3%
Outsourcing Company
3%
Real Estate/Law Firm
2%
Insurance Company
2%
Non Profit
2%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Transportation Company
1%
Legal Firm
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%

Compare MariaDB with alternative products

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Learn more about MariaDB

MariaDB was originally created to improve MySQL performance. It is the most widely chosen database server due to the solution being super fast, robust, user-friendly, and easily scalable. MariaDB also offers a substantial ecosystem of plugins, storage engines, and numerous other valuable tools that make it very attractive for a significant offering of use cases.

The solution’s newest functionalities include compatibility with Oracle Database and Temporal Data Tables, and advanced clustering with Galera Cluster 4, which make it easier for users to research data history from any point in the past. Additionally, the most recent versions include JSON and GIS features. MariaDB is committed to staying an open source solution.

MariaDB Features

  • More storage: MariaDB works with more storage engines than MySQL and most other database servers available. Some storage options include, but are not limited to ARCHIVE, MERGE, CSV, MEMORY, BLACKHOLE, MyISAM, ColumnStore, MyRocks, and Cassandra.

  • Super fast: MariaDB offers faster authentication checks. The FlushSSL permits SSL certificates to be reloaded without a server restart, resulting in huge time savings.

  • Improved testing: MariaDB offers an extending testing suite that runs faster and can test more than ever before. Bugs can be easily fixed and invalid tests removed.

  • Genuinely open source: Every code in MariaDB is GPL, LGPL, or BSD. Client libraries [for Windows (ODBC), Java (JDBC), or C] allow linking to closed source software. All fixed bug cases and development plans are completely public. MariaDB is a community-developed solution representing the true spirit of open source products.

Reviews from Real Users

Faustine C., Engineering Supervisor- Corporate Data Solutions and Services at TZ Telecoms Corporation, shares, “The software provides a lot of information on what is happening inside the database. For most performance parameters it is easy to know if something is not right in the configuration or optimization which helps engineers take remedial fine-tuning measures. For example, if the database is underperforming it is easy to know which performance parameter can be adjusted to handle the workload. It is difficult to troubleshoot database issues if many performance parameters can not be monitored or debugged which is the case with some database management systems. It provides great monitoring of data storage, processing, and performance stability which is really important for real-time data storage and processing. It's a user-friendly product.”

A PeerSpot user who is a Senior Engineer at a tech services company relates, “ The solution's high availability is its most valuable aspect. We have found the product to be stable and the initial setup is pretty simple. I'd rate the solution at a ten out of ten. I'm very happy with it overall. I would recommend the solution to others. It's easy to find details about the product online and to learn about it.”

MariaDB customers

Google, Wikipedia, Tencent, Verizon, DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, Telefónica, Huatai Securities

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Product Categories

Product Categories
Open Source Databases
Relational Databases Tools

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MariaDB Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Co-Founder at Vsigma IT Labs Pvt Ltd3.5We've used MariaDB for web applications and found it stable with solid features, though performance lags during complex queries or large datasets. Setup has a learning curve, support is helpful, and it's best suited for small to medium workloads.
Architect at LTIMindtree4.0I've used MariaDB in the cloud for four years; it's easy to install, secure, and cost-effective, with strong support, though it lacks Oracle's advanced features like indexing and complex query handling. I rate it 7 out of 10.
Senior Technical Manager at Johnson Controls, Inc.4.5We are in IoT intrusion systems, using MariaDB for UI purposes with a 3-node multi-master setup on Kubernetes. It offers good scalability and seamless integration, but we face deadlock issues and downtime. It's more affordable than Oracle or SQL Server.
Senior IT Architect at AFD Technologies3.5MariaDB is a good database solution, although it lacks some maturity metrics compared to Postgres. It could benefit from improved tablespaces management and space utilization. Its active server capabilities are advantageous over competitors, and it suits specific project needs.
Site Reliability Engineer at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees4.0MariaDB serves as our preferred relational database due to its support for complex join queries and sharding, making it ideal for asset compliance needs. While it handles read-intensive applications well, it faces challenges with write-intensive tasks despite community-driven enhancements.
Senior Cloud Performance Engineer at Oracle4.0I find MariaDB beneficial for its faster query execution and improved security in my work with ServiceNow. However, it can be inflexible for complex needs, lacking built-in analytics and features like time series data support. Oracle offers more comprehensive solutions.
Quality Assurance Group Lead at Samsung4.5I use MariaDB for testing data applications due to its scalability and user-friendliness. While it's lighter than SQL, it needs enhanced security features. I've previously used Oracle, which is more secure but also more expensive.
General Manager at Xurpas Software, Inc.4.0I support MariaDB for ERP systems, valuing its query speed and ease of use compared to PostgreSQL. While MariaDB lacks stored procedure capabilities and scalability like PostgreSQL, its lower hardware costs make it a preferable option for most clients.