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 #22 with an average rating of 9.0, while IBM is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.3. Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds a 0.3% mindshare in SQL, compared to IBM’s 7.4% 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

115 Views
47 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

Read 74 IBM Db2 Database reviews

5,504 Views
2,309 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: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Amazon Aurora Serverless vs. IBM Db2 Database

June 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

22nd

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 June 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 7.4%, up from 6.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

MohitGupta3

Cloud Infrastructure Architect - AWS at Infopro Digital

Seamless growth management through serverless efficiency and reasonable pricing

The most valuable feature of Amazon Aurora Serverless is its serverless nature, which means I do not have to maintain the underlying infrastructure. Additionally, it is highly scalable, and its pricing model is favorable. Aurora's automatic scaling greatly enhances our operational efficiency by eliminating the need to set specific thresholds and preventing client data access issues due to uneven growth. Its serverless setup allows us to manage costs effectively. Other notable features include direct integration with tools like SFTP Go for media file uploads, automatic backups ensuring data recovery, and its scalability in terms of handling growing database demands.

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ArpitKhare

Database Admin Senior Consultant at Capgemini

Offers optimizer plan and ALSM features along with exceptional stability

The TSA version of IBM Db2 Database doesn't meet my stability expectations. Every time when a switch over occurs, some stability issues can be noticed. The vendor should offer a free version of IBM Db2 Database. For instance, if our company wants to train new individuals on all the features of IBM Db2 Database, they can only be trained after purchasing the paid version of the solution. About ten years ago, a trial version was available for the solution that was highly beneficial for companies. The vendor can add AI or ML features in the future version of IBM Db2 Database.

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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 solution is very stable, in both hardware and database."

"The solution helps secure the database."

"I like that its true active-active. For example, if there are two instances within a cluster, we can take one of them down and there's no failover or switch over. There's no primary and secondary, it's true active-active. We can take one side down and we can upgrade that with new maintenance or a new version, obviously testing coexistence beforehand, without impacting the business."

"The solution has very good data compression of up to 50%. For example, if you have 50 terabytes of data, it can be reduced to 25 terabytes."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is its compatibility with IBM Power Systems."

"The solution is a very stable relational database and has integration with legacy systems. It is a great product."

"We are dealing with millions of transactions a month and the performance is very good."

"IBM Db2 was much cheaper as a package than using other products. This is because IBM supplied a package with its product. It's an application. So it was much more efficient and a stronger competitor in that regard."

More IBM Db2 Database pros

Cons

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

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

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

"IBM's support isn't as strong as it used to be, especially when it comes to providing fixes."

"The user interface is old and needs to be improved."

"When I look at Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Server provides me with better tools for database management."

"The management of Db2 should be simplified because there are not too many specialists in this area, and the learning curve of Db2 specialists is very long. After the courses, probably it takes one and a half or two years to get to the point when you are using the product properly in the production systems. So, the complexity is very high, and the most important thing is to simplify the management of the product, including self-maintenance. They should simplify the installation, management, and monitoring to simplify the product. It takes too long for a person to be a specialist in this product."

"We just want a bit more integration with Linux. That said, we are already seeing Linux more readily available on the mainframe environment."

"The solution no longer supports POWER8."

"There are some issues with Db2's database file system not being readable. The storage could also be increased, and the monitoring could be improved."

"In terms of improvements, IBM Db2 can improve its interface and its functionality. Also, the embedded functions should be much richer than the current ones - the functions which are embedded in the engine itself."

More IBM Db2 Database cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"It is expensive."

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

"I rate the product pricing a nine out of ten."

"It is expensive. The price depends on the size of the machine on which you are installing the Db2 and the features you are using. It also depends on the country. IBM has different policies and different options for payment for this product."

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

"We did not buy it. It came with our hardware without any complimentary maintenance. If I compare Db2 Database with Oracle Database, its price is lower than Oracle Database."

"I think that everyone knows that with IBM the standard price is higher than the others."

"Clients are required to purchase a license."

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Educational Organization

37%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

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?

IBM is implementing some release improvements. It might be slightly slower than other database vendors, but it works well since banks typically do not move quickly with leading-edge technology.

See all answers

Comparisons

Citus Data vs Amazon Aurora Serverless

Compared 100% of the time

More Amazon Aurora Serverless Competitors

SQL Server vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 33% of the time

Oracle Database vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 18% of the time

SAP HANA vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 15% of the time

Teradata vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 13% of the time

MySQL vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 5% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Relational Databases Tools

June 2025

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Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

June 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

June 2025

Free Report: Amazon Aurora Serverless vs. IBM Db2 Database

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