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IBM Informix vs Oracle Berkeley DB 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 Informix
Ranking in Embedded Database
9th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
16
Ranking in other categories
Relational Databases Tools (17th)
Oracle Berkeley DB
Ranking in Embedded Database
7th
Average Rating
7.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
5
Ranking in other categories
Non-Relational Databases (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Embedded Database category, the mindshare of IBM Informix is 1.4%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Berkeley DB is 4.3%, down from 4.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Embedded Database
 

Featured Reviews

Nazzareno Maria Rezzini - PeerSpot reviewer
Supports multiple business intelligence tools, but the technical support services need improvement
IBM Informix is a central database solution across various environments, supporting multiple applications and business intelligence tools The key areas for improvement revolve around understanding the current customer trends and demands, particularly in software and database requirements. The…
Emad Mokhatab - PeerSpot reviewer
Easy to integrate and manage the setup phase
One of the things that I want to see in Oracle Berkeley DB is a driver for reactive programming. I think the tool's official driver for reactive programming, especially for Java, is the thing that Oracle needs to be more agile in, specifically in those areas of programming that other products are currently going into. Other tools have become more innovative in many areas. I know that Oracle has many responsibilities in maintaining the situation with the current projects and so on. I think it would be very cool if Oracle could make improvements to its projects, as it can help me with my current projects. One reason why I don't choose Oracle Berkeley DB is because we want to go for reactive programming, along with Project Reactor from Spring, but we don't have the official driver for it.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Replication, all levels of replication, query charting, and the MongoDB embedded are the most valuable features of this solution."
"The solution's stability, performance, enhanced functionality, and replication are all great features."
"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."
"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 most valuable feature is concurrency and locking because my customers usually use databases in OLTP mode. So, for a large number of competitive users. Other features that are well valued are quick large-scale data types. It is better than Oracle."
"Replication is a valuable feature and easy to use."
"The initial setup is pretty easy."
"So far, we do not have a lot of issues. It's pretty problem-free."
"The tool's performance is good, and I don't have any problems with it."
"The product meets all the essential business requirements."
 

Cons

"The support team could include local engineers to establish efficient communication. It will help us speed up the escalation process."
"The solution lacks some functionality."
"This product could be made easier to use for beginners."
"It would be helpful to have IBM salespeople know that Informix exists, and sell it. Currently, it is completely ignored by IBM."
"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."
"Continue extending the SQL language for compatibility with the competition's language, including Stored Procedure Language."
"I really would love to have a QT plugin."
"The product's interface could be more intuitive and user-friendly."
"I think the tool's official driver for reactive programming, especially for Java, is the thing that Oracle needs to be more agile in, specifically in those areas of programming that other products are currently going into."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"For me, it's always too expensive."
"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."
"The product has reasonable pricing. We purchase its yearly license."
"I rate the product's pricing a five out of ten."
"There is a need to pay for the licenses and features of the tool."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
38%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Computer Software Company
8%
Retailer
6%
University
15%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Computer Software Company
14%
Educational Organization
10%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM Informix?
It supports multiple applications and business intelligence tools.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Informix?
The product has reasonable pricing. We purchase its yearly license.
What needs improvement with IBM Informix?
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 com...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Berkeley DB?
There is a need to pay for the licenses and features of the tool. It can help other people use the tool properly.
What needs improvement with Oracle Berkeley DB?
One of the things that I want to see in Oracle Berkeley DB is a driver for reactive programming. I think the tool's official driver for reactive programming, especially for Java, is the thing that ...
What advice do you have for others considering Oracle Berkeley DB?
Giving out some free subscriptions and offering some premium plans for enterprise solutions that Oracle presents to the audience can help other people who want to use it. Being more agile in adapti...
 

Comparisons

 

Also Known As

Informix
Berkeley DB
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Shaspa, Hildebrand, Kaifa, Ranhill Powertron, Federaci‹ Farmacutica (FedeFarma), Camden Council, The German Aerospace Center (DLR), Myers, Votorantim Group, Doosan Infracore, GreenIvory
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Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Informix vs. Oracle Berkeley DB and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
859,129 professionals have used our research since 2012.