IBM Db2 Database vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise comparison

IBM and SAP are both solutions in the Relational Databases Tools category. IBM is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.3, while SAP is ranked #21 with an average rating of 7.5. IBM holds a 7.6% mindshare in SQL, compared to SAP’s 0.9% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SAP users who would recommend it.

IBM Db2 Database

Read 75 IBM Db2 Database reviews

4,335 Views
4,162 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Read 12 SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise reviews

955 Views
926 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

IBM Db2 Database

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise and IBM Db2 Database are both key players in the enterprise database management sector. Based on the data, IBM Db2 seems to have an upper hand due to its advanced features and functionalities which are considered worth the price by many users.

Features: SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is known for its performance optimization, ease of integration with SAP environments, and transactions handling. IBM Db2 Database offers robust analytics capabilities, self-tuning memory management, and advanced data management features, providing strong analytics support.

Room for Improvement: SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise could improve its update cycle, enhance its feature set to match competitors, and expand support beyond SAP-centric integrations. IBM Db2 Database might benefit from streamlining deployment processes, enhancing user interface design, and refining pricing documentation for better cost justification.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is praised for seamless SAP application integration and strong customer service for ERP users. IBM Db2 is noted for its versatile deployment models and extensive support network, backed by comprehensive documentation, fitting diverse applications and industries.

Pricing and ROI: SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is often highlighted for its competitive pricing in SAP environments, offering potential for quicker ROI. IBM Db2, despite its higher initial cost, is known for delivering long-term value with its comprehensive features, leading to better ROI over extended periods.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

July 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

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Ranking in Relational Databases Tools

21st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Relational Databases Tools category, the mindshare of IBM Db2 Database is 7.6%, up from 6.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is 0.9%, down from 1.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Relational Databases Tools

Featured Reviews

Michael Raz

Consultant at Discount Bank

Efficient access path optimization and performance excellence with helpful support

IBM Db2 for zOS serves as the central database for all the core business applications in the two banks I work with. All applications use Db2 as a data server. We fully implement and utilize most of Db2's functionalities and capabilities for core banking business applications IBM Db2 has…

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Tejas Raj

Manager at Capgemini

Offers cost-efficiency as it needs a very small amount of RAM to function

SAP is least bothered about Adaptive Server Enterprise nowadays since it wants to focus on promoting its new product, which is S/4HANA. If SAP gives out new releases and a patch upgrade to improve performance and provide additional options, then SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise can compete with other relational database systems in the market. The overall performance of the product is an area where the tool has certain shortcomings and needs to improve. I work in a very stable environment, and I prefer a very stable replication and database management system. Most of our company's customers do not want to opt out of SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise, but SAP has announced that it will be ending its support for it in 2027, and though I feel SAP might extend it, I feel SAP will want to promote its new product. Previously, I heard that SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise's end-of-support dates were announced for 2025, but now I think that they have extended it to 2027 or 2030.

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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

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

"The most valuable feature of the IBM Db2 Database is security."

"The stability of IBM Db2 Database is stable. We have not faced any downtime in one year. Our work is mostly during business hours and during that time, we haven't faced any downtime."

"When you submit a ticket the response time is quick."

"it is very stable and runs smoothly once it is deployed and it is almost maintenance-free."

"Scales well enough for a relational database."

"The IBM Db2 Database is trusted, and IT effort is less than any other product."

"Its functionality and availability are valuable. Its availability is great. It is available 99.99% of the time."

More IBM Db2 Database pros

"The actual interface is good."

"This is a wonderful database that is, in my opinion, underrated. Users are able to get the most out of my experience by taking advantage of its centralized environment."

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

"They provide easy integration with other systems."

"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."

"It's user-friendly, especially in the logistics field."

"SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is a good transactional database."

"Provides very good integration."

More SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise pros

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 queries can be difficult for beginners because there are so many. I would like to see more use cases for flow analysis that enable us to correlate the flow with events. Adding this feature in a QI format would be good for beginners."

"They could enhance the product's cloud integration and general-purpose database capabilities."

"IBM's products tend to be quite costly, especially given the availability of free, open-source alternatives."

"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."

"I would like to see better support for advanced analytics."

"The solution's UI hasn't been upgraded. The solution’s UI is an area to improve because the solution was developed long ago."

"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."

More IBM Db2 Database cons

"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."

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

"Because the solution is customized. we do occasionally face unique bugs. There are always some changes that need to be made here and there."

"The overall performance of the product is an area where the tool has certain shortcomings and needs to improve."

"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."

"The solution should improve view partitioning. The documentation is very confined and available only for users. Distributors also would like access to it."

"User interface could be more user friendly."

"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."

More SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"It is expensive."

"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."

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

"Licensing fees are on a yearly basis."

"We purchase the product's yearly license."

More IBM Db2 Database pricing and cost advice

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

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

"The licensing cost for ASE is pretty low."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

20%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Government

10%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Computer Software Company

Government

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.

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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 IBM Db2 Database is a good solution, but now there is a high maintenance charge. The IBM Db2 Database needs improved support, and there are many difficulties in using it. We tend to use the clo...

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What do you like most about SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise is a good transactional database.

See all answers

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

The licensing cost for ASE is pretty low when you compare it with Microsoft SQL Server. If you compare it with SQL Server, it is pretty low.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise?

The main thing is it's not getting upgraded to meet today's needs. It's not upgrading at the level of transaction needs. For example, PostgreSQL or Oracle, these are pretty good databases. They can...

See all answers

Comparisons

SQL Server vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 33% of the time

Oracle Database vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 19% of the time

SAP HANA vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 13% of the time

Teradata vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 13% of the time

MySQL vs IBM Db2 Database

Compared 6% of the time

More IBM Db2 Database Competitors

SAP HANA vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 43% of the time

Oracle Database vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 15% of the time

SAP IQ vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 15% of the time

SAP SQL Anywhere vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 14% of the time

SQL Server vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Compared 13% of the time

More SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM Db2 Database

August 2025

Download IBM Db2 Database product report

Buyer's Guide

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

July 2025

Download SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise product report

Also Known As

DB2

SAP ASE

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

SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) is a high-performance relational database management system designed for mission-critical, data-intensive environments. It provides a centralized environment for storing and managing data, with the ability to handle a wide range of data types and a modularization technique allowing easy customization.

SAP ASE is particularly valuable for financial operations, as it offers integrated financial features. The solution also offers various control agents and the ability to match code and database index. SAP ASE has improved daily data collection and program functionality for many organizations.

SAP

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

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

IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

July 2025

Free Report: IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise

Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Db2 Database vs. SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.

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