Amazon Aurora Serverless vs IBM Db2 Database comparison

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and IBM are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is ranked #20 with an average rating of 9.0, while IBM is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds a 0.3% mindshare in SQL, compared to IBM’s 7.1% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Amazon Web Services (AWS) users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of IBM users who would recommend it.

Amazon Aurora Serverless

Read 3 Amazon Aurora Serverless reviews

95 Views
41 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

Read 73 IBM Db2 Database reviews

6,854 Views
4,346 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Amazon Aurora Serverless

IBM Db2 Database

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

IBM Db2 Database and Amazon Aurora Serverless are both formidable competitors in the scalable enterprise database solutions category. IBM Db2 has an edge in handling traditional data environments with robust analytics, while Amazon Aurora Serverless stands out in cloud-native scalability and flexible performance for dynamic workloads.

Features: IBM Db2 Database provides a wide range of analytics capabilities, advanced data warehousing, and comprehensive integration tools, making it highly suitable for complex enterprise environments. Amazon Aurora Serverless offers automated scaling, high availability, and efficient performance in cloud-based applications.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Amazon Aurora Serverless supports a deployment model designed for automatic scaling with minimal manual intervention and is backed by Amazon's extensive support infrastructure, promoting rapid adaptation to workload changes. IBM Db2 requires a more traditional setup for cloud deployment but benefits from IBM's thorough support services, offering a strong support network for its users.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Db2 generally involves higher initial setup costs due to its traditional enterprise approach but offers a significant ROI through its advanced analytics and data management capabilities. Amazon Aurora Serverless, with its pay-as-you-go pricing model, provides predictable and often lower initial costs, appealing for scalable cloud applications with a focus on cost-effective pricing and cloud efficiency.

To learn more, read our detailed Amazon Aurora Serverless vs. IBM Db2 Database Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Amazon Aurora Serverless vs. IBM Db2 Database

April 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Amazon Aurora Serverless

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

20th

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

8.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IBM Db2 Database

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

6th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of Amazon Aurora Serverless is 0.3%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Db2 Database is 7.1%, up from 6.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

Anibal Palacios

CTO at a consultancy with 11-50 employees

Database availability has improved with quick recovery and enhanced network setup

I use Aurora mainly for creating and maintaining databases, such as Aurora (MySQL version) databases, within the system. I value it for its network security and quicker recovery options Aurora is used as it is an easier solution for our requirements and offers high availability. It allows us to…

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SimonHiggins

Mainframe Technical Manager/Service Integration Lead at Saudi Business Machines

Very scalable with high availability and excellent technical support

The good thing is that there are improvements coming with later function levels for the z/OS Db2. I'd like it if, with the operating system that we've got, z/OS, on the mainframe, it would allow us to refresh the hardware to run Linux dockers on the mainframe. This means this might give us opportunities for different ways of coming into the Db2 environment in the future. We just want a bit more integration with Linux. That said, we are already seeing Linux more readily available on the mainframe environment. Not only have we got the premium operating systems on OS. We can run LPARs on the same mainframe footprint that is also supporting Linux. This is what has improved and made the mainframe environment more competitive. We're also looking at AI for Db2 as well, and machine learning for the future. We know that AI has come out, that we're going to get that, and we're going to evaluate that product next year for Db2. That said, I haven't got any real complaints about Db2 on the mainframe. For the most part, a lot of the problems we have nowadays are to do with communication between the various teams that you would class as stakeholders.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The most valuable feature of Amazon Aurora Serverless is its serverless nature, which means I do not have to maintain the underlying infrastructure."

"Amazon Aurora Serverless is easy to scale, offering a cluster-based shared scaling model with options for Autoscale."

"Aurora could improve its affordability, even though its price is very completive compared to DBs as SLQ Server."

"The most valuable feature of IBM Db2 Database is its ability to perform automatic self-management, reducing the need for manual tasks such as managing logs and folders."

"The solution can scale."

"The structure is straightforward, consisting of the test file and the logical and physical files. You have one physical file and many logical files related to it."

"It's the best solution in terms of security, performance, and availability because the system is available 24/7."

"The scalability and availability of this solution are the most valuable features."

"The solution's initial setup is straightforward."

"IBM Db2 Database has good performance."

"The setup process has become much easier recently."

More IBM Db2 Database pros

Cons

"Aurora could improve its affordability, as it is currently considered a bit expensive."

"Amazon Aurora Serverless could benefit from a few more security features, particularly in terms of its accessibility."

"Amazon Aurora could improve its detailed monitoring, especially in CloudWatch, to provide more precise query level insights."

"The price should be lower."

"There could be more user-friendly tools with features such as drag-and-drop functionality, visual basics, and low-code capabilities."

"It would be helpful to have a hybrid data storage facility that includes NoSQL technologies."

"IBM Db2 Database could improve the user-defined functions. There are some user-defined functions that are missing, such as the spring functions. I used to have Teradata for my projects and I was used to working in the environment. They had a good set of user-defined functions."

"Its process of building up queries could be more accessible."

"Do not use support. Freely available documentation is a bit weak."

"Some of the internal rearrangement in the administration is not as straightforward as it is in competing products."

"The solution no longer supports POWER8."

More IBM Db2 Database cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"Clients are required to purchase a license."

"Compared to other databases, Db2 is relatively cheaper."

"Licensing fees are on a yearly basis."

"They are competitive and honest (compared to how peer firms approach licensing conversations). "

"Db2 is less expensive than Oracle."

"It's very expensive for West African countries like ours."

"It's very expensive."

"Among Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and Db2, Microsoft SQL Server is the cheapest one, and Oracle is the most expensive one. Db2 is in the middle. As compared to SQL Server, its price could go down. It will be good for customers."

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Educational Organization

58%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Amazon Aurora Serverless?

In my experience, Aurora is a bit expensive. The costs depend on the size of the database.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Amazon Aurora Serverless?

Aurora could improve its affordability, as it is currently considered a bit expensive. There is room to make it more cost-effective for users even though its price is very completive compared to DB...

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What is your primary use case for Amazon Aurora Serverless?

I use Aurora mainly for creating and maintaining databases, such as Aurora (MySQL version) databases, within the system. I value it for its network security and quicker recovery options.

See all answers

What do you like most about IBM Db2 Database?

Db2 database scalability and performance capabilities match our database needs. It covers pretty much everything a database administrator or engineer might need.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Db2 Database?

IBM Db2 is an expensive solution. While I am not heavily involved with pricing, additional companies provide capabilities or products like those from BMC, which many installations might also purchase.

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM Db2 Database?

The user interface is old and needs to be improved. It doesn't match the responsive and suggestion-rich UI of cloud solutions. New functions don't come to mind.

See all answers

Comparisons

No data available

SQL Server vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 32% of the time

Oracle Database vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 18% of the time

SAP HANA vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 16% of the time

Teradata vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 12% of the time

MySQL vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 6% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Relational Databases Tools

March 2025

Download Amazon Aurora Serverless product report

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

April 2025

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Also Known As

No data available

DB2

Overview

Amazon Aurora Serverless is a flexible, on-demand database service that automatically scales based on application needs. It removes the need for database management, allowing businesses to focus on innovation and efficiency.

This database service provides automatic rescaling of compute capacity, which makes it uniquely suited to unpredictable workloads and applications with variable demand. It integrates seamlessly with existing AWS services and supports both MySQL and PostgreSQL, ensuring high availability and durability while reducing costs associated with over-provisioning of resources. Aurora Serverless dynamically adjusts capacity, providing a cost-effective and reliable solution for cloud-native applications and serverless architectures.

What are the key features of Amazon Aurora Serverless?

Automatic Scaling: Instantly adjusts capacity in response to demand.
Managed Infrastructure: Offloads database maintenance and management tasks.
High Availability: Provides multi-AZ support to ensure uptime and reliability.
MySQL and PostgreSQL Compatibility: Supports migrations and existing applications.
Pay-Per-Use: Charges are based on the exact resources utilized.

What benefits can be found in reviews of Amazon Aurora Serverless?

Cost Savings: Helps significantly reduce infrastructure expenses.
Operational Efficiency: Frees up time for the IT team for strategic projects.
Scalability: Easily accommodates fluctuating application demands.
Integration: Works seamlessly with AWS services, enhancing service reach.
Resiliency: Robust data protection features contribute to data security.

Amazon Aurora Serverless has been widely adopted across industries such as ecommerce and online media, where demand can vary greatly and unpredictably. For instance, ecommerce platforms benefit from auto-scaling during peak shopping seasons, ensuring uninterrupted service without incurring unnecessary costs during off-peak periods. Similarly, media companies leverage its auto-scaling capabilities to manage traffic spikes during events or breaking news.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

DB2 Enterprise for Linux, UNIX, and Windows is the ideal data server for the most demanding workloads. New XML support is designed to help firms minimize the time and effort it takes to persist and use their XML data reducing development costs and improving business agility.

IBM

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Knorr-Bremse, Mizuho Bank Ltd., Australian Government Department of Defence, SCHWENK Zement, Friedhelm Loh Group, YAZAKI Europe Limited, Ekornes ASA, Baldor Electric, VSN Systemen BV, Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, PLANSEE Group, TE Connectivity, Hansgrohe SE, Openmatics, University of Toronto

Buyer's Guide

Amazon Aurora Serverless vs. IBM Db2 Database

April 2025

Free Report: Amazon Aurora Serverless vs. IBM Db2 Database

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