IBM Db2 Database vs MySQL comparison

IBM and Oracle are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. IBM is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.1, while Oracle is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.6. IBM holds a 7.1% mindshare in SQL, compared to Oracle’s 8.5% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of Oracle users who would recommend it.

IBM Db2 Database

Read 73 IBM Db2 Database reviews

6,854 Views
4,346 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

MySQL

Read 148 MySQL reviews

7,193 Views
5,585 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

MySQL

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 20, 2025

IBM Db2 and MySQL are prominent players in the database management system category. IBM Db2 holds the upper hand due to its advanced features and scalability, while MySQL is noted for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Features: IBM Db2 is respected for its robust SQL dialect and platform flexibility, enabling use across multiple platforms. It has self-tuning memory management for optimized performance and offers extensive integration capabilities and a secure environment. MySQL is favored for its open-source availability, multi-threaded architecture, cross-platform support, and ease of integration with web technologies, making it particularly ideal for web applications.

Room for Improvement: IBM Db2 requires enhancements in user-friendly interfaces, simplified licensing processes, and better integration. It also struggles with web enablement and upgrade complexities. MySQL faces performance limitations with InnoDB, lacks robust replication, and does not offer advanced features like check constraints or strong scalability for heavier installations.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM Db2 primarily supports on-premises deployments with strong technical support, though its responsiveness can vary. MySQL is widely used across both on-premises and cloud environments, with robust community support, though official support requires additional purchase.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Db2's comprehensive features and mainframe compatibility contribute to its higher cost, offering high ROI for enterprise-grade applications. MySQL offers extensive cost savings through its open-source model, suitable for startups and smaller projects, though enterprise support comes with extra costs.

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

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. MySQL

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

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

MySQL

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

3rd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

148

Ranking in other categories

Open Source Databases (1st)

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of IBM Db2 Database is 7.1%, up from 6.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MySQL is 8.5%, down from 8.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

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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Muzzamil Hussain

Assistant Vice President at National Bank of Pakistan

Native encryption ensures secure data management with a simple deployment

The most valuable feature is the on-premises data encryption facilities. By default, we can provide encryption, and this feature in MySQL is why we prefer it over other databases. The native encryption in MySQL encourages us to use this database model more frequently compared to Oracle and other databases. With Oracle, we have to buy another solution for encryption and masking, but MySQL supports native encryption, which enhances our return on investment. It perfectly supports our ROI, and we have no issues with its functionality.

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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 self-management and optimization features are probably the best on the market"

"It has a good, stable performance."

"It's very secure."

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

"It's a very mature product."

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

"The solution helps secure the database."

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

More IBM Db2 Database pros

"The one interesting thing about this product is that it is open source. It comes from an open source product. MySQL has been positioned as open source, but it also provides support."

"One of the best features is this solution is easy to use."

"The speed is very good."

"The most valuable feature of MySQL is auto-scaling."

"The most valuable feature is the on-premises data encryption facilities."

"A good traditional database that supports JSON."

"The way that MySQL has improved my organization is that it comes free and also works fine on the technical side."

"The solution has been very easy to scale so far."

More MySQL pros

Cons

"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."

"End-to-end encryption specifically is something the solution needs to have in the next release."

"Their view of it is they're maintaining it, they're continuing to upgrade it, they're continuing to grow it, however, they don't go out and try and sell that as an architectural solution the way they do Linux and Unix."

"The usage of Db2 could be simplified, as it is quite complex and requires substantial knowledge of Db2 and zOS."

"The solution's data retrieval speed could be improved, especially for heavy queries. Better optimization or indexing might also be involved."

"The technical support can be faster."

"The vendor should offer a free version"

"The solution could improve by providing more integration."

More IBM Db2 Database cons

"In the next release, I would like to see the scalability features improved to allow you to configure it and reduce the complexity with the configuration, making it easier for the end-user to scale. Make it as simple as it can be."

"The interface could be improved."

"It could be more secure."

"We want to continue using MySQL but it merged with Oracle and the scalage changed."

"The auto-tuning and NDB cluster has some limitations regarding foreign keys."

"The GUI could improve to make MySQL better."

"Stability needs improvement and the backup needs to be enhanced."

"MySQL doesn't have the auto-clustering and database clustering features that other competitors provide. They can include these features."

More MySQL cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"If I consider the price of IBM Db2 Database, I would say there are cheaper products in the market."

"I rate the price of the IBM Db2 Database an eight out of ten."

"I would rate the pricing a five out of ten. It's not super expensive, but also not cheap."

"It is expensive."

"We purchase the product's yearly license."

"The total cost of the solution depends upon the PVU licensing"

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

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

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

"MySQL is very cheap. It could be free. It also has a yearly licensing option."

"We do have a couple of clients who choose to use the paid, enterprise version of the solution and who take full advantage of it."

"It's an open-source database management system that can be used free of charge."

"There is a licensing cost because we are going for a proprietary product. There are some other versions for which there is no licensing cost."

"I use the open-source free community version."

"The tool is open source."

"We are using the free community version of the solution."

"It has a community version."

More MySQL pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

59%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Government

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

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

Why are MySQL connections encrypted and what is the biggest benefit of this?

MySQL encrypts connections to protect your data and the biggest benefit from this is that nobody can corrupt it. If you move information over a network without encryption, you are endangering it, m...

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Considering that there is a free version of MySQL, would you invest in one of the paid editions?

I may be considered a MySQL veteran since I have been using it since before Oracle bought it and created paid versions. So back in my day, it was all free, it was open-source and the best among sim...

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What is one thing you would improve with MySQL?

One thing I would improve related to MySQL is not within the product itself, but with the guides to it. Before, when it was free, everyone was on their own, seeking tutorials and how-to videos onli...

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Comparisons

SQL Server vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 31% 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 13% of the time

IBM Informix vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 2% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

Firebird SQL vs MySQL

Compared 28% of the time

PostgreSQL vs MySQL

Compared 15% of the time

SAP HANA vs MySQL

Compared 8% of the time

MariaDB vs MySQL

Compared 6% of the time

SQLite vs MySQL

Compared 2% of the time

More MySQL Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

April 2025

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Buyer's Guide

MySQL

April 2025

Download MySQL product report

Also Known As

DB2

No data available

Overview

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

MySQL is a cost-efficient and scalable relational database management system widely used in web, mobile applications, and academic projects.

MySQL is utilized for backend operations, data analysis, reporting, financial transactions, and ERP databases. It supports deployment on local servers, Cloud, and Kubernetes. Its free, open-source nature along with strong community support make it popular among companies. MySQL's compatibility with multiple platforms and programming languages enhances its appeal. While it remains stable and easy to use, areas such as replication, clustering, and backup require improvement to better serve enterprise applications. Enhanced security, error messages, and monitoring tools are also desired for a better user experience.

What are the most important features of MySQL?

Free and Open-Source: No licensing costs, perfect for budget-conscious projects.
Compatibility: Works with multiple platforms and programming languages.
High Performance: Efficient performance across large datasets.
Scalability: Easily scales to meet growing business needs.
Clustering and Replication: Ensures data availability and redundancy.
Easy Installation: Quick setup process on various operating systems.
Community Support: Extensive resources and community assistance.
Cross-Platform: Operates seamlessly on different operating systems.
Data Management Interface: Simplifies data handling and manipulation.

What are the benefits of using MySQL?

Cost Efficiency: Reduce expenses with a free, open-source database.
Scalability: Adapt to increasing data demands effortlessly.
Performance: Handle large datasets with ease and speed.
Community Support: Access a vast pool of knowledge and resources.
Flexibility: Integrate with various platforms and languages for diverse use cases.
Data Reliability: Clustering and replication for high data availability.

In multiple industries, MySQL supports internal applications, billing systems, academic teaching purposes, and ERP databases. Companies leverage MySQL for Cloud and local deployments, ensuring effective data manipulation and backend operations in diverse projects. Its role in financial transactions and reporting further emphasizes its versatility.

Oracle

Sample Customers

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

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

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. MySQL

April 2025

Free Report: IBM Db2 Database vs. MySQL

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