CockroachDB vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise comparison

Cockroach Labs and SAP are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. Cockroach Labs is ranked #17 with an average rating of 8.0, while SAP is ranked #19 with an average rating of 8.5. Cockroach Labs holds a 3.7% mindshare in SQL, compared to SAP’s 1.5% mindshare. Additionally, 84% of Cockroach Labs users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of SAP users who would recommend it.

CockroachDB

Read 13 CockroachDB reviews

4,611 Views
3,689 Comparison Views

84% willing to recommend

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Read 14 SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise reviews

2,059 Views
1,956 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

CockroachDB

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise and CockroachDB compete as database solutions, each offering distinct advantages. CockroachDB appears to have the upper hand due to its modern features and adaptability, despite a higher cost.

Features: SAP ASE provides robust transactional support, scalability for enterprise environments, and strong security features. CockroachDB is recognized for its cloud-native design, excellent distributed database capabilities, and resilience against failures.

Room for Improvement: SAP ASE could enhance its feature set to compete with more modern databases. Its update frequency and adaptation to new technologies can be improved. CockroachDB may benefit from refining user experience for ease of use, improving support consistency, and reducing complexity in configuration.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SAP ASE is known for its well-documented setup process and responsive customer support, providing a smoother deployment process. CockroachDB offers advanced distributed features, but it may present a steeper learning curve and less consistent support experiences, which could complicate deployment.

Pricing and ROI: SAP ASE's initial setup cost can be high, affecting initial ROI, although it offers proven stability. CockroachDB may require a lower upfront investment, offering better scalability potential and enhanced long-term ROI, although questions regarding its cost-effectiveness remain due to premium features.

To learn more, read our detailed CockroachDB vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

CockroachDB vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

August 2026

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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

CockroachDB

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

17th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Vector Databases (19th), Database Management Systems (DBMS) (11th)

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

19th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

5.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of CockroachDB is 3.7%, down from 4.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is 1.5%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
CockroachDB	3.7%
SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise	1.5%
Other	94.8%

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

Shivam Chauhan

Manager, Software Engineering at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Provides developer-friendly environment with robust security and cost-efficiency

The platform should provide a UI feature where users have the ability to manage it. The CockroachDB platform should have a chatbot where users can inquire about pricing or seek solutions for queries, rather than relying on email support. The current UI only provides SQL playground, which is technical. There should be a UI playground where users with limited technical knowledge can run and update queries, similar to phpMyAdmin or Adminer. Latency optimization could be improved for globally distributed applications, particularly in query routing. For multi-region deployment, CockroachDB requires at least three plus replicas across data centers to achieve strong consistency across regions, which increases infrastructure costs including compute, storage, and networking. The disadvantages include cost-efficiency with multi-region deployment and schema migration speed, which should be faster compared to other drivers. The query optimizer should handle complex queries better through the UI interface.

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reviewer2784705

Senior Advisor at a government with 10,001+ employees

Long term database experience has supported OLTP workloads and delivers reliable cross platform migrations

SAP is not putting money into modernizing SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise. One of the things I discovered on the last project I was on was that they did not incorporate the Intel new instruction set in SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise. Intel has augmented its instruction set referred to as new instructions. They did that to make conversion easier. When you migrate SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise cross-platform, you go through a process where it converts the character set. If you are going from AIX to Linux or from Solaris to Linux, Linux is referred to as Little Endian, while AIX or Solaris are considered Big Endian. This is determined by how the product stores data. The word size of these processors is 32 bits long. If you start numbering from the little end, it is referred to as Little Endian. If you start numbering from the big end, it is called Big Endian. To migrate a SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise database from a Big Endian setup like AIX or Solaris to migrate to a Big Endian setup on an Intel, the operating system determines whether it is Little Endian or Big Endian. When you migrate from Big Endian to Little Endian, the database has to go through a character set conversion, and some of these databases are quite large with gigabytes and gigabytes of data. They have to do a character set conversion to the existing database before they do anything else. The worst part is that you have to rebuild all the indexes when you do that. When you switch endianness of the database, you have to rebuild all the indexes. It will automatically do that for system tables, but for actual user databases, you have to rebuild all your indexes, and it takes a long time. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is a relational database and is the predecessor of Microsoft SQL Server. All that functionality that Microsoft SQL Server had came from essentially SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise. The problem with SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise these days is it is not expanding its place in the marketplace or expanding its position in the marketplace. A lot of companies have migrated away from SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise. It works fairly well, but the problem is SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise was architected to be an OLTP engine and is now doing things for larger databases that were not in its original intended purpose. The endianness of the RDBMS is a major impediment to continuing to use SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise. You have a multi-gigabyte database, and it will go through a conversion process in a single-threaded fashion, and then you have to rebuild the indexes. Rebuilding the indexes is lengthy and time-consuming. The part of the conversion process that is concerned with conversion of the character set is single-threaded. You may have eight cores on your machine or virtual machine and only one can be used in the conversion process. There is another problem with the whole thing in that it will sometimes not operate properly. Under certain workloads, SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise will become overwhelmed. When you convert it, it does not operate properly in all circumstances. The root cause of that is that SAP in its desire to save money and desire to orphan the product has not recompiled or redeveloped the product to take advantage of the Intel new instruction set. Other relational databases such as Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server have the same issue to deal with, but with those platforms, they are taking advantage of the new instruction set. There are some additional Intel instruction sets or instructions in their Intel instruction set. With SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise, they did not bother to incorporate support for the new instruction set instructions. In certain circumstances, the database does not operate properly. It is unable to do what it needs to do. If you do your research and go on the internet and see what happens with Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server, what comes back is that it takes 4% longer to perform a lot of the instructions. When you are using the new instruction set, it adds 4% to the runtime of the 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 subset of SQL that my client is using is completely supported."

"CockroachDB is excellent for managing relationships in RDBMS with multiple benefits such as the ability to create views and dynamic queries that save data and reduce the use of complex algorithms in code."

"I use CockroachDB to test big data samples and to create the best structure for databases. We have four users and required 10 people for deployment and maintenance."

"The availability and the easy to use feature is the most valuable. The documentation is also good."

"The product has valuable security features."

"CockroachDB is a best practice for my organization."

"What I like best is its ability to solve data residency issues. The main advantage is auto geo partitioning, built into the product. This means we don't have to spin up separate servers in each region, which would be much more costly."

"The initial setup and deployment are simple."

More CockroachDB pros

"SAP ERP offers us a robust platform where financial stakeholders spend less time collating and sourcing out records and implementing payments."

"I like that SAP ASE can match code and the database index to index data in the programming language. There are many other valuable features, such as the table buffer, tuning, and various control agents like dispatcher. SAP ASE can handle many different data types, including views, domains, data elements, structures, objects, and various table types that are most useful in the application. Its modularization technique is also handy."

"The most valuable part of the tool stems from the fact that it is a very cost-efficient product compared to the newer technologies because it needs a very small amount of RAM."

"In SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise, there are some built-in stored procedures that you can use to fire those commands and get the data in a very systematic manner where you can see the results."

"I like that SAP ASE can match code and the database index to index data in the programming language."

"The actual interface is good."

"This product has my complete confidence."

"It's pretty good at handling a large number of transactions, which is critical for a banking client."

More SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise pros

Cons

"The platform could be more extensible."

"CockroachDB needs to improve store processes."

"I think the engine itself could be improved. If you miss a partition key, it should be able to be modeled. This is where AI could be really helpful. For example, if a user is from Australia, the system should know to look for their data there first instead of searching in the US or another continent."

"The product must improve its disaster recovery features."

"I would like CockroachDB to have more compatibility with PostgreSQL, especially with the connection string and technical integrations."

"We are looking for more features to support distributed high availability and geo-partitioning."

"The initial setup and pricing could be improved."

"I find the serverless offer a bit confusing."

More CockroachDB cons

"I think that the solution needs to be positioned better within the market as it appears as though the Adaptive Server is being left out of the SAP scope."

"Cost-wise, SAP is still expensive compared to other available products."

"In my opinion, product support is not that great from SAP because they have already declared the end-of-date for SAP ASE. They will be stopping product support."

"There is lack of good support in Mexico - I would prefer Oracle or IBM over SAP in terms of support."

"SAP should refine its debugging method, and the process needs to be a little faster. It should use more Pragmas and fewer pseudocomments. I would like if SAP added more features based on advanced technologies, like artificial intelligence and voice control. The modularization and if-else techniques could also incorporate the latest technology to code and solve complex problems. The SAP Editor should be more elaborative, and it should allow many more types of statements for all uses."

"When we acquire a new project that is sometimes related to data migrations, after getting those data, there are lots of deadlocks happening."

"I'd like to see a more friendly user interface."

"They turned a functional product into something where you have to go through a difficult process to do the conversion."

More SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The platform is affordable even for the enterprise version. It provides value for investment in terms of performance."

"The solution's pricing is not cheap. However, the good thing is that customers are willing to pay for it if they want it."

"The product's price depends on the user's company and the contract model they enter into with CockroachDB. Depending on the contract model one enters into with CockroachDB, the product may or may not be expensive."

"I've used CockroachDB at a small scale on the free accounts because we are only testing."

"The pricing is good but can be made cheaper. I would rate the pricing a five out of ten."

"The licensing cost for ASE is pretty low."

"I rate SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise's pricing a six out of ten."

"Price-wise, the product is worth it since one needs very less infrastructure to use it."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

16%

Educational Organization

11%

University

Outsourcing Company

Construction Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	5

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	3
Large Enterprise	11

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with CockroachDB?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for CockroachDB?

We have been using CockroachDB for the last two years. From 2023, we started working on a product similar to Google Capture. We decided to work with CockroachDB with Hasura. Hasura is a UI for the ...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering CockroachDB?

The tech support deserves a rating of nine out of ten. My overall rating for CockroachDB is 8 out of 10.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

From a pricing perspective, I would say the solution is fairly priced. In Oracle, you have two or three databases at most on one machine. In SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise, one machine can have mul...

See all answers

What needs improvement with SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

I have worked with SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise, SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise IQ, and Replication Server. I also worked with SQL Anywhere at one point. SAP acquired Sybase at one point, and the...

See all answers

Comparisons

Oracle Database vs CockroachDB

Compared 12% of the time

YugabyteDB vs CockroachDB

Compared 7% of the time

SQL Server vs CockroachDB

Compared 6% of the time

Citus Data vs CockroachDB

Compared 6% of the time

MySQL vs CockroachDB

Compared 6% of the time

More CockroachDB Competitors

SAP IQ vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 23% of the time

SAP HANA vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 13% of the time

SQL Server vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 8% of the time

Oracle Database vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 8% of the time

IBM Db2 Database vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 7% of the time

More SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

CockroachDB

August 2026

Download CockroachDB product report

Buyer's Guide

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

July 2026

Download SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise product report

Also Known As

No data available

SAP ASE

Overview

CockroachDB is a high-performance, cloud-native database offering fault-tolerance, geo-partitioning, and PostgreSQL compatibility, ensuring distributed transactions with robust security for global applications.

CockroachDB offers advanced features like geo-replication and ensures data residency through its distributed architecture. This minimizes application modifications by supporting the PostgreSQL wire protocol while providing enhanced fault-tolerance. High availability is maintained through automatic node syncing and workload distribution. Security is prioritized with SSL certificates and role-based access control, facilitating ease of use and observability through an intuitive interface. Despite its capabilities, areas like documentation, disaster recovery, and high availability are improving, with an emphasis on enhanced protocol support and serverless offerings.

What are CockroachDB's key features?

Geo-Partitioning: Supports data residency and speeds up processing through regional distribution.
PostgreSQL Compatibility: Minimizes app modifications with wire protocol support.
Distributed Architecture: Offers automatic rebalancing, node syncing, and workload distribution.
Security Features: Includes SSL certificates and role-based access control.
ACID Transactions: Ensures transactional integrity across distributed systems.

What benefits should users expect?

Scalability: Facilitates cloud-native scaling, simplifying operations.
Data Residency: Offers compliance with regional data laws through geo-replication.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces complexity, enhancing resource allocation.
High Availability: Supports real-time processing for high-velocity applications.
Compatibility: Ensures smooth integration with existing PostgreSQL setups.

CockroachDB finds application across industries such as fintech and media, where distributed transactions and high availability are critical. It's ideal for platforms requiring real-time data processing, like credit scoring and music streaming, thanks to its scalability, resilience, and top-tier security.

Cockroach Labs

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise delivers customizable operations and reliable OLTP features crucial for banking, being resource-efficient and SQL-capable while maintaining high security and performance standards, though updates and cross-platform conversion can be challenging.

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is tailored for environments needing secure, efficient data handling. Its OLTP capabilities make it a top choice for banking and finance by ensuring smooth transactions. While the database supports multiple data types and cloud integration, it is essential to address the need for user-friendly interfaces and better synchronization features. Although its transaction management isn't as competitive compared to Oracle and PostgreSQL, its SQL capabilities and security tools remain highly regarded. Users primarily utilize it for data storage, scripting, and operational management across development environments, including banking, enabling effective data manipulation and storage.

What are the standout features of SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

Customizable Operations: Tailored configurations for diverse business needs.
Strong OLTP Features: Efficient and swift transaction processing.
SQL Capabilities: Robust tools for SQL programming and querying.
Financial Integration: Seamlessly handles financial data and transactions.
Cloud Integration: Supports integration with cloud-based storage and services.

What benefits should users look for when evaluating SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

Cost Efficiency: Requires minimal resources for effective performance.
User-friendliness: Easy learning curve for new users and developers.
High Security: Strong measures to protect sensitive data.
Efficient Transaction Handling: Smooth management of complex transactions.
Reliability: Consistent performance with minimal downtime.

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is widely implemented in banking, dealing with efficient data manipulation and storing historical data crucial for operations. It is leveraged for both financial and operational management tasks, including planning and logistics. The database's robust features extend benefits to industries requiring rigorous data management, such as development, testing, and production environments connected across banking networks, focusing on main data handling and replication tasks.

SAP

Sample Customers

Baidu, Kindred, Tierion, Heroic Labs, Gorgias

City of Buenos Aires, ASR Group, Citrix, EarlySense, Usha International Limited, Automotive Resources International (ARI), Takisada-Osaka Co. Ltd., Coelba (Grupo Neoenergia), RZD Russian Railways, National Basketball Association - NBA, TALLY

Buyer's Guide

CockroachDB vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

August 2026

Free Report: CockroachDB vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

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