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MySQL Reviews

Vendor: Oracle
4.1 out of 5
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What is MySQL?

MySQL is an open-source database known for its ease of use and high performance. It offers features like replication and clustering, making it ideal for diverse applications. Its cost-effectiveness and LAMP integration are key advantages for businesses.

Get the MySQL Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about MySQL, Teradata, SQL Server and more!
MySQL is the #1 ranked solution in top Open Source Databases and #4 ranked solution in top Relational Databases. PeerSpot users give MySQL an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. MySQL is most commonly compared to Teradata: MySQL vs Teradata. MySQL is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 54% 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
MySQL
December 2025
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MySQL mindshare

Product category:
Open Source Databases
As of December 2025, the mindshare of MySQL in the Open Source Databases category stands at 8.7%, down from 13.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Open Source Databases Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
MySQL8.7%
PostgreSQL15.2%
Firebird SQL13.6%
Other62.5%
Open Source Databases

PeerResearch reports based on MySQL reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryOpen Source DatabasesDec 29, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonMySQL vs PostgreSQLDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonMySQL vs Firebird SQLDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonMySQL vs MongoDB Enterprise AdvancedDec 29, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Teradata4.1N/A88%83 interviewsAdd to research
SQL Server4.2N/A93%272 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated Dec 21, 2025

Valuable Features

MySQL offers exceptional features like multi-threaded architecture, Unicode support, advanced replication, and full-text search. Its compatibility across platforms and integration with PHPMyAdmin, PHP, and Java simplify use. As an open-source database, MySQL provides flexibility, strong performance, and community support. With enhancements like MyISAM and InnoDB storage engines, it delivers cost-effective, reliable data management, particularly attractive due to its easy setup, cross-platform capabilities, security features, and excellent performance in web applications.
  • "My organization has experienced positive impacts from MySQL, as it provides exceptional capabilities."
  • "MySQL is a very useful database which is used by a lot of companies, so it should be really good."
  • "MySQL has helped my customers' database management by providing better RTO and RPO; the RPO can be less, RTO can be less, using this replication software, which is an inbuilt feature of the database itself, and you don't have to purchase an additional license for the replication."

Room for Improvement

MySQL could benefit from enhancements in performance and scalability, particularly for handling large databases and complex queries. Improvements in high availability, replication, and security are needed. The integration with other databases and user-friendly interfaces is lacking. Advanced analytics features are needed along with better debugging and development tools. The backup process, while important, is cumbersome. More documentation is necessary for ease of use. Users expect robust support for JSON, check constraints, and stored procedures.
  • "I do not think MySQL's data security features were at an industrial level for my project, so I did not make use of them."
  • "Documentation is definitely required when running multiple databases on a cluster system."
  • "We face certain integration issues, especially when we integrate the database with security solutions like IBM QRadar, which affects database performance."

ROI

Users report varied experiences with MySQL's ROI. Many find MySQL cost-effective and appreciate its open-source nature, eliminating license fees. Some note a 60% ROI, while others mention 40%. Users running self-hosted or cloud versions emphasize cost-effectiveness yet highlight cloud-associated expenses. Although some users use MySQL primarily for development and other solutions for production, they still value MySQL's reliability. Time savings and reduced labor costs enhance its utility and positive impact on operations.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers evaluating MySQL often appreciate its open-source nature, which offers a cost-effective solution with no initial licensing fees when using the Community Edition. For those requiring advanced features, the Enterprise Edition, while not free, is considered more affordable compared to competitors like Microsoft SQL Server. Setup costs are minimal, and licensing expenses for commercial use remain competitive, with optional paid support available for additional functionality and scalability.
  • "I rate the solution's pricing as four out of ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive. For our basic needs, it's quite affordable. However, the cost increases when we need to scale up or require high availability. Our developer team of about 600 people uses MySQL without much issue. The pricing becomes more of a concern on the business side, as we have more end users and need constant database availability and scaling. In those cases, the solution gets a bit more expensive, even though it provides good value for the business."
  • "MySQL is a cheap solution."
  • "My company uses MySQL's corporate licenses."

Popular Use Cases

Companies use MySQL primarily for web applications, data storage, and RESTful services. It is frequently deployed for mission-critical tasks, e-commerce portals, and scalable applications. Users engage with MySQL in roles such as database administrators, software developers, and educators. It supports financial transactions, customer management, and data warehousing. Organizations appreciate MySQL for its cost-efficiency, ease of integration with PHP-based applications, and deployment versatility across both local and cloud environments.

Service and Support

Customers find MySQL support primarily reliant on community resources, with extensive online documentation and forums available. Many users handle issues internally or through third-party vendors, rarely contacting Oracle directly. The quality of support from the community and vendors is generally viewed positively, though some rate Oracle's official support as costly. Detailed online resources aid troubleshooting, and several users rate community support as excellent, while others find Oracle's assistance lacking in urgency and personalization.

Deployment

MySQL's initial setup is generally considered straightforward and user-friendly by users. It benefits from extensive online resources and a range of tools like Workbench and Toad that streamline processes for both experienced and novice users. Many appreciate its simplicity compared to other databases, noting quick installation times and ease of configuration. While some users report complexities with specific use cases like clustering or database expansion, the setup typically takes only minutes to a few hours.

Scalability

MySQL exhibits scalability, especially effective for small to medium-sized applications. Challenges include limited clustering support and difficulties with horizontal scaling, requiring manual intervention or architectural adjustments. It's optimal for environments with fewer concurrent requests and typically requires enhancements like binlog adjustments for improved performance. While some advocate for moving to more robust databases like Oracle for extensive data management, options like sharding or cloud-based solutions can substantially enhance scalability for larger enterprises.

Stability

Users find MySQL to be highly stable, with many reporting no issues in their experience. It operates reliably under adequate server conditions and handles various data sizes effectively. However, some note performance issues due to session overloads or large table operations, and emphasize the importance of proper maintenance and configuration. Despite minor challenges, a significant number rate MySQL's stability positively, highlighting its reliability for different environments and applications.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our MySQL Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business59
Midsize Enterprise26
Large Enterprise48
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business294
Midsize Enterprise131
Large Enterprise508
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
6%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Healthcare Company
5%
University
5%
Educational Organization
5%
Retailer
5%
Transportation Company
3%
Outsourcing Company
3%
Real Estate/Law Firm
3%
Hospitality Company
3%
Construction Company
3%
Insurance Company
2%
Media Company
2%
Consumer Goods Company
2%
Performing Arts
2%
Non Profit
2%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Logistics Company
1%
Legal Firm
1%
Energy/Utilities Company
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
Maritime Company
1%
Renewables & Environment Company
1%
Recruiting/Hr Firm
1%

Compare MySQL with alternative products

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Learn more about MySQL

MySQL supports a variety of languages and platforms, providing reliable, scalable data management. Its graphical interface and LAMP architecture integration enhance its usability, while community support further strengthens its appeal. Challenges include scalability issues with large databases, lack of advanced clustering, and limited high-availability features. Complex queries may affect performance, and integration can pose difficulties. The outdated interface and insufficient documentation are also concerns, along with replication and backup reliability issues.

What are MySQL's key features?
  • Open-source nature: Freely available and customizable.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: Supports multiple operating systems.
  • Scalability: Capable of handling large volumes of data.
  • Replication and clustering: Ensure data redundancy and load balancing.
  • Full-text search: Provides powerful search capabilities.
  • LAMP integration: Seamlessly integrates with Linux, Apache, and PHP.
What benefits should users consider?
  • Cost-effectiveness: Reduces expenses due to its open-source nature.
  • High performance: Efficiently processes large volumes of data.
  • Active community support: Access to a wide range of resources and expertise.
  • Versatile use cases: Suitable for varied applications including web development and IoT.

MySQL is widely implemented in industries such as web development, e-commerce, and finance. It's used for managing dynamic websites, powering e-commerce platforms, and supporting financial applications. Its compatibility with PHP and cost-effectiveness make it suitable for CMS platforms like WordPress. With cloud services integration, MySQL is a backend choice for scalable applications in various sectors.

MySQL customers

Facebook, Tumblr, Scholastic, MTV Networks, Wikipedia, Verizon Wireless, Sage Group, Glassfish Open Message Queue, and RightNow Technologies.

Related questions

  • 9
Which solution do you recommend for embedding reporting? Why?
  • 31
Did you switch from a different solution to MySQL? Can you list a few pros and cons for making the move?
  • 20
Why are MySQL connections encrypted and what is the biggest benefit of this?
  • 41
Considering that there is a free version of MySQL, would you invest in one of the paid editions?
  • 42
What is one thing you would improve with MySQL?
  • 47
How does MySQL compare with Firebird SQL?
  • 36
When evaluating Open Source Databases, what aspect do you think is the most important to look for?
  • 31
Did you switch from a different solution to MySQL? Can you list a few pros and cons for making the move?
  • 75
Which database is the best for session cashing?
  • 19
Why is Open Source Databases important for companies?

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MySQL Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
SR AVP–Presales Cloud & Platform Management Services at Path Infotech ltd4.5My experience with MySQL has been very positive, especially for secure and highly available databases, though documentation for clustering could be improved; overall, it's cost-effective, stable, and feature-rich, and I’d rate it nine out of ten.
Assistant Vice President at National Bank of Pakistan4.0In our organization, we choose MySQL for in-house business applications due to its valuable on-premises data encryption, which enhances ROI. However, improvements are needed in data masking functionality compared to Oracle, although MySQL's native encryption remains superior.
Student at a university with 10,001+ employees4.5I used MySQL for college projects and found it stable, easy to learn due to strong documentation, and suitable for basic needs, though I didn’t explore advanced features like replication or ACID transactions. My overall experience was positive.
Software Developer at 8 Gallery India4.5I've used MySQL for years in energy data analytics projects; it's stable, easy to manage, and handles our growing device data well. Materialized views are especially useful, and it's been a cost-effective choice for our small team.
Technical Architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees4.5I'm part of a data science team analyzing customer purchase patterns on platforms like Amazon. MSSQL is user-friendly for data access, but Oracle needs scalability improvement, which is costly compared to the increasingly popular PostgreSQL.
Founder & Director at Hiindsight Group4.0I've worked with MySQL for many years, appreciating its cost-effectiveness and speed for structured data. However, performance diminishes with massive data volumes, with Oracle managing larger datasets better. Improvements in MySQL's performance are needed for optimal efficiency.
Data Engineer | Developer at Team Computers4.5I use MySQL to store product and transaction metadata, finding its relational format beneficial for data management. However, as we move to cloud solutions, I wish MySQL offered a cloud option. It significantly impacts operational productivity.
Lead Data Analyst at Ernst & Young3.5I use MySQL primarily for report preparation because the code is easy to write and understand. While the queries are simple, the user interface needs to be more user-friendly, similar to Python's, to improve usability.