IBM Informix vs MySQL comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between IBM Informix and MySQL based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Relational Databases Tools solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed IBM Informix vs. MySQL Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"Replication is a valuable feature and easy to use.""The solution's stability, performance, enhanced functionality, and replication are all great features.""The stability is incredible. I have customers with uptimes of several years.""So far, we do not have a lot of issues. It's pretty problem-free.""For IoT business cases, having Informix Enterprise Edition work on edge computers, like Raspberry Pi and using Informix replication, makes complex situations simple to build and maintain.""It supports in-house-built applications in .NET and VB6""This solution has made financial reporting possible by allowing financial people the opportunity to set Informix to "Auto Pilot" so that they can attend other duties.""The scalability is very good."

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"The connectivity with PHP is quite good.""The solution helps us perform with our databases and extract data.""We are completely comfortable with the database’s performance and it is a mature product. My organization was looking for an open-source database for our smaller customers like the community edition. For bigger customers, we can scale into commercial and supported editions.""​We use MySQL for enterprise data storage as well as part of the back-end of websites and web applications.​""The most valuable features are that it's free and the documentation is good.""The solution is free to use, which is its most valuable aspect.""It is easy to use. It is simple to implement, which makes it suitable for our projects because we have deadlines. MySQL is also open-source, which is another plus point.""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."

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Cons
"This product could be made easier to use for beginners.""The support team could include local engineers to establish efficient communication. It will help us speed up the escalation process.""I would like to see backups from secondary servers.""In my opinion, the packages could be improved. The version I use doesn't allow for packages. I can do some general procedures, but no packages like in Oracle. So, develop separate modules in SQL language. This would be most beneficial for me.""The solution really doesn't add new features very often.""The technical support services need substantial improvement.""The pricing is a bit expensive.""This solution is in need of more current tools."

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"It isn't as reliable as an SQL Server.""Could use some additional JSON query support in the solution.""This solution needs to be improved when it comes to working with desktop applications on the developer side.""Clusters are hard to perform so we use no SQL alternates like MongoDB.""Sometimes, not because the version is not the latest version, there are some issues with it. Sometimes there's an issue with the server which creates issues with it.""It could be more secure.""I feel that some tools which make it easier to create queries or make it easier for other functions would be really interesting to see.""​MySQL needs improvements on its diagnostic features.​"

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The free edition can be enough to handle moderate-size implementations, but you may want a pay for edition to benefit from more functionality, such as replication."
  • "I am not aware of the licensing costs or terms."
  • "For me, it's always too expensive."
  • "The product has reasonable pricing. We purchase its yearly license."
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  • "When you know the setup will continue to grow, make sure you have the paid support."
  • "​Enterprise editions and support are definitely needed for the heavy users who need direct support. ​"
  • "MySQL Enterprise Support is not cheap, though might still be cheaper than Oracle or SQL Server. They may not have local support depending on where you’re based, but there are many smaller agencies out there that will readily provide support. You’ll need to spend some time looking around."
  • "Can range from free to quite expensive, depending on the environments and requirements, so better to really set goals ahead of setting it up."
  • "I am using the Community Edition, which is available free of charge."
  • "This is an open-source product that can be used free of charge."
  • "It's an open-source database management system that can be used free of charge."
  • "Microsoft licensing for SQL Server is probably ten times more expensive. I used to work for the government, and I remember when we were looking into upgrading to the enterprise version of SQL Server 2019, the licensing was going to cost 350,000. To get the equivalent in the cloud, it was going to be about four grand to get the same processing power and everything else. With MySQL, it was going to be about 300 for the same licensing. Cost-wise, for sure, there is a huge difference. Would you prefer to pay 300 a month or 3,000 to have the same amount of data resources? You might lose a few options that you need, but it isn't worth the price difference."
  • More MySQL Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:It supports multiple applications and business intelligence tools.
    Top Answer:The product has reasonable pricing. We purchase its yearly license.
    Top Answer:The key areas for improvement revolve around understanding the current customer trends and demands, particularly in software and database requirements. The product's performance could be better… more »
    Top Answer: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… more »
    Top Answer: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… more »
    Top Answer: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 online… more »
    Ranking
    Views
    3,372
    Comparisons
    1,981
    Reviews
    5
    Average Words per Review
    394
    Rating
    7.0
    Views
    14,155
    Comparisons
    11,529
    Reviews
    26
    Average Words per Review
    423
    Rating
    8.5
    Comparisons
    Oracle Database logo
    Compared 38% of the time.
    SQL Server logo
    Compared 35% of the time.
    IBM Db2 Database logo
    Compared 10% of the time.
    MariaDB logo
    Compared 4% of the time.
    Teradata logo
    Compared 2% of the time.
    Firebird SQL logo
    Compared 25% of the time.
    PostgreSQL logo
    Compared 10% of the time.
    MariaDB logo
    Compared 10% of the time.
    Teradata logo
    Compared 7% of the time.
    SQL Server logo
    Compared 7% of the time.
    Also Known As
    Informix
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    IBM
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    Overview

    IBM Informix is a widely used and scalable relational database management system designed to handle large amounts of data and high transaction volumes. It is known to provide exceptional performance, thanks to its Parallel Data Query Engine (PDQ) that enables parallel processing of queries and operations, significantly reducing response times for complex queries and large data sets. Additionally, Informix supports online operations like backup, restore, index maintenance, and table reorganization, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous availability.

    Informix provides robust high availability and replication features, including shared-disk clustering, remote data replication, and high-availability data replication (HDR). These features ensure data redundancy, failover protection, and disaster recovery capabilities, making it a reliable choice for mission-critical applications. Furthermore, Informix offers specialized features for data warehousing and analytics, such as in-database analytics, data compression, and parallel load capabilities, making it suitable for business intelligence (BI) and data analysis applications.

    Informix can be deployed as an embedded database, allowing it to be tightly integrated with applications and systems, reducing overhead and simplifying deployment. It includes workload management capabilities, enabling organizations to prioritize and manage different types of workloads, such as online transaction processing (OLTP) and analytical queries, ensuring efficient resource utilization and meeting service-level agreements (SLAs). Informix also provides robust security features, including role-based access control, data encryption, auditing, and compliance with industry standards like FIPS 140-2 and Common Criteria.

    MySQL is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) owned by Oracle. Before Oracle acquired the product, it was completely free for users. After the merge, the solution started offering paid services with more features, alongside a free version. MySQL can easily integrate with a wide variety of programming languages, which makes it one of the most flexible and reliable products among its competitors. This cost-effective solution helps users deliver high-performance and scalable database applications through several products. They include:

    • MySQL HeatWave: This is an in-memory query accelerator for MySQL. It is a parallel, columnar, hybrid query-processing engine with algorithms for distributed query processing. This database service is used for transactions, analytics, and machine learning (ML). It offers simplified, secure real-time analytics. It can be deployed on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Amazon AWS, Azure, and users' data centers.

    • My SQL Enterprise Edition: This edition of the solution includes the most comprehensive set of advanced features, technical support, and management tools. The combination functions achieves security, scalability, reliability, and uptime, while reducing risk, cost, and complexity, in managing MySQL applications.

    • MySQL Standard Edition: This edition utilizes industrial-strength performance and reliability to help users deliver high-performance and scalable Open Transaction Processing (OLTP) applications.

    • MySQL Classic Edition: This is an embedded database for independent software vendors (ISVs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and value-added resellers (VARs), that are developing applications using the MyISAM storage engine.

    • MySQL Community Edition: This is the free version of the product, which is supported by a large active community of open-source developers.

    • MySQL Cluster CGE: This is a distributed database that combines linear scalability and high availability. It offers in-memory real-time access across partitioned and distributed databases.

    • MySQL Embedded: This product offers MySQL as an embedded database and is most widely used by ISVs, OEMs, and VARs. It is utilized for making applications, hardware, and appliances more competitive by bringing them to market faster while lowering their cost of goods sold (COGs).

    My SQL Features

    The characteristics of each MySQL edition differ depending on what it offers and what clients it is catered towards. But the main features of the product include the following:

    • Internals and portability: These capabilities allow MySQL to work on multiple platforms and provide transactional and non-transactional storage engines. This set of features is tested with Purify, Vilgrind, and a broad range of different compilers.

    • Data types: Due to the flexibility of the data types feature of MySQL, the product is compatible with a very wide variety of data types, including fixed-length and variable-length string types.

    • Statements and functions: This feature allows MySQL full operator and function support. It supports a wide variety of functions and allows users to refer to tables from different databases in the same statement.

    • Security: The security features of MySQL provide users with a flexible privileged password system that enables host-based verification. The product offers encryption of all password traffic when users connect to a server.

    • Scalability and limits: MySQL supports large databases with up to approximately 50 million records and up to 64 indexes per table.

    • Connectivity: The connectivity features of the product allow clients to connect to MySQL using several protocols, providing them with freedom of choice in terms of which ones to use.

    • Localization: Through this feature, the product offers availability to users in many languages. The server time zone can be changed dynamically and allows clients to specify their own time zone for their convenience.

    • Clients and tools: The product includes several client and utility programs among its capabilities.

    MySQL Benefits

    MySQL brings many benefits to organizations that use it for their data. The most common ones include:

    • Due to its initial open-source nature, MySQL is an easy to understand and beginner-friendly product.

    • The solution still supports an open-source version as well, which means users can download, use, and modify it based on their requirements.

    • MySQL ensures the consistency of data by storing it efficiently and minimizing redundancy.

    • This is considered one of the fastest solutions on the market, a fact which is backed by many benchmark tests.

    • MySQL is very flexible and supports a large number of embedded applications.

    • The solution is compatible with many operating systems.

    • This product offers clients the option to roll back transactions, as well as commit, and crash recovery.

    Reviews from Real Users

    According to a database engineer at a retailer with more than 10,000 employees, MySQL is a great open-source product that offers great scalability and compatibility.

    Yong S., a solutions specialist, system integration, appreciates this product because it has different licensing options and is easy to set up.

    Sample Customers
    Shaspa, Hildebrand, Kaifa, Ranhill Powertron, Federaci‹ Farmacutica (FedeFarma), Camden Council, The German Aerospace Center (DLR), Myers, Votorantim Group, Doosan Infracore, GreenIvory
    Facebook, Tumblr, Scholastic, MTV Networks, Wikipedia, Verizon Wireless, Sage Group, Glassfish Open Message Queue, and RightNow Technologies.
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Energy/Utilities Company22%
    Logistics Company11%
    Outsourcing Company11%
    Transportation Company11%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization53%
    Retailer5%
    Financial Services Firm5%
    Computer Software Company5%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company21%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    University10%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company16%
    Comms Service Provider10%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business53%
    Midsize Enterprise12%
    Large Enterprise35%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business9%
    Midsize Enterprise59%
    Large Enterprise31%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business45%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise37%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business26%
    Midsize Enterprise15%
    Large Enterprise59%
    Buyer's Guide
    IBM Informix vs. MySQL
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Informix vs. MySQL and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    IBM Informix is ranked 14th in Relational Databases Tools with 16 reviews while MySQL is ranked 4th in Relational Databases Tools with 140 reviews. IBM Informix is rated 8.6, while MySQL is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of IBM Informix writes "Quite stable and flexible but not very innovative". On the other hand, the top reviewer of MySQL writes "Good beginner base but it should have better support for backups". IBM Informix is most compared with Oracle Database, SQL Server, IBM Db2 Database, MariaDB and Teradata, whereas MySQL is most compared with Firebird SQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Teradata and SQL Server. See our IBM Informix vs. MySQL report.

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