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IBM Db2 Database vs Oracle Multitenant comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

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
74
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Oracle Multitenant
Ranking in Relational Databases Tools
13th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
20
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of IBM Db2 Database is 7.4%, up from 6.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Multitenant is 0.7%, up from 0.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Relational Databases Tools
 

Featured Reviews

ArpitKhare - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
Saikat Nag - PeerSpot reviewer
Manages extensive utility billing applications efficiently with trusted performance and robust support
Currently, I have a very good experience with Oracle Multitenant. The pluggable database is easy to handle and manage, sharing resources efficiently. However, Oracle license pricing is an issue due to its high cost. Our organization is compelled to reduce CPU usage by seventy CPUs because the Oracle license cost depends on it.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"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 IBM Db2 Database is its ability to perform automatic self-management, reducing the need for manual tasks such as managing logs and folders."
"Very good for performance and scalability."
"The most valuable feature of the IBM Db2 Database is security."
"Reliable, robust with great features."
"The solution has many beneficial features, such as security, support, and stability."
"IBM Db2 Database has good performance."
"The most valuable aspect of this solution is its stability. We have never had any problems and have never had to contact technical support."
"Multitenant has a container database with many pluggable databases."
"You can scale the solution as needed."
"Our primary use of Oracle includes writing queries for retrieving data for customers without worrying about the customer ID, user ID, as it is automatically connected to each query."
"The best thing about Oracle Multitenant is its ability to consolidate multiple databases into one engine."
"The most valuable features are the speed and ease of use."
"It is quite stable. We have not faced any kind of instability in the database."
"Maintaining databases is a valuable feature for us."
"It's easy to use and works great."
 

Cons

"Microsoft SQL Server is comparatively very simple to use. I wish IBM would move towards making Db2 easy to use for both basic and advanced users. This is where I see room for advancement. Db2 is also more expensive than Microsoft SQL Server, and its price can be reduced. The replication feature needs to be there in Db2. Microsoft provides similar functionality in SQL Server. IBM also has similar functionality, but it exists in a different product. So, to have the replication ability, you have to buy a different product. It makes sense to have this functionality within Db2 instead of a different product. It will also be helpful in terms of competition. In Africa, the problem for Db2 is competition. Oracle Database and Microsoft SQL Server have been in this market for a very long time. These companies have built the ecosystem and the brand within this market for a very long time. So, they are very popular with users. Db2 or IBM came a little later in the game, and that's where the problem lies. They also don't do a lot of marketing for it, which is also a problem."
"The user interface is not user-friendly."
"The product’s user interface is not easy to use."
"The pricing could be improved, it's expensive."
"It would be helpful to have more querying tools and more development tools for us to work easily with Microsoft."
"IBM's support isn't as strong as it used to be, especially when it comes to providing fixes."
"There could be more user-friendly tools with features such as drag-and-drop functionality, visual basics, and low-code capabilities."
"It would be ideal if the solution offered backup functionality. Many similar tools already do, which means Db2 is somewhat behind the curve in terms of what a customer might expect from it."
"It would be beneficial to include this solution with Oracle Enterprise, but Oracle charges additional fees for it."
"There is room for improvement in customer service and support."
"That said, Oracle in general doesn't invest in their UI for any of their applications. If we're talking about the dashboard or other user experience, there is room for improvement. I'm talking about on premises. The cloud version has started to improve."
"There are many functions where changes are not easy to implement, and we try to avoid modifying these areas due to security issues and the complexity of maintaining them."
"It can be complicated to scale up the solution, but it's scalable."
"While the product is overall excellent, it is quite expensive."
"From the scope of improvement, I would say that people are adopting new query options. Certain databases like MongoDB adopt new query options so that they can just pull the data."
"The user interface for this solution can be made better."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I think that everyone knows that with IBM the standard price is higher than the others."
"There is a license for this solution and we pay every three years."
"We normally handle large size businesses and as far as I am aware, the license is negotiable based on the number of users and the quantitative data."
"The solution's pricing is fine."
"We don't see what the specific price of the DB2 license is because we pay for the backup license as a package."
"We purchase the product's yearly license."
"Db2 is less expensive than Oracle."
"Compared to Oracle, it is so much cheaper."
"For me, I will go with it if I have the budget. Some features are nicer than before, but at the end of the day, you always have a limited budget. I prefer to upgrade and get a specific hardware when possible. At the end, you will have to make a compromise. You will not get everything you would have liked to have."
"The price is worth the quality."
"This solution is a little bit pricey."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
45%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Computer Software Company
6%
Manufacturing Company
5%
Financial Services Firm
18%
Healthcare Company
9%
Government
7%
Insurance Company
6%
 

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.
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.
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.
What do you like most about Oracle Multitenant?
The best thing about Oracle Multitenant is its ability to consolidate multiple databases into one engine.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Multitenant?
Oracle's licensing costs are very high. Due to the increased license costs, we migrated from Oracle hardware like SuperCluster and MiniCluster to HPE Nutanix to manage costs while continuing to use...
What needs improvement with Oracle Multitenant?
Currently, I have a very good experience with Oracle Multitenant. The pluggable database is easy to handle and manage, sharing resources efficiently. However, Oracle license pricing is an issue due...
 

Also Known As

DB2
Oracle Pluggable Database
 

Overview

 

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
An Post, National Oilwell Varco, SAS Institute, Sportmaster, Y-Telecom
Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Db2 Database vs. Oracle Multitenant and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.