IBM InfoSphere Optim vs Oracle Essbase comparison

IBM and Oracle are both solutions in the Database Development and Management category. IBM is ranked #16 with an average rating of 7.0, while Oracle is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.6. IBM holds a 2.6% mindshare in DDM, compared to Oracle’s 0.9% mindshare. Additionally, 75% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Oracle users who would recommend it.

IBM InfoSphere Optim

Read 4 IBM InfoSphere Optim reviews

533 Views
222 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

Oracle Essbase

Read 14 Oracle Essbase reviews

136 Views
91 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM InfoSphere Optim

Oracle Essbase

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 23, 2025

Oracle Essbase and IBM InfoSphere Optim are competing products in data management and analytics. Oracle Essbase stands out for its cost-effectiveness and support, while IBM InfoSphere Optim justifies a higher cost with advanced features.

Features: Oracle Essbase features multi-dimensional data modeling, real-time analysis, and efficient analytical capacities. IBM InfoSphere Optim includes comprehensive data lifecycle management, archiving solutions, and advanced data governance functionalities.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Oracle Essbase is straightforward to deploy, complemented by responsive customer service. IBM InfoSphere Optim requires more complex deployment but offers substantial support to assist with its detailed setup processes.

Pricing and ROI: Oracle Essbase offers lower setup costs with quick ROI due to easy deployment and immediate analytics benefits. IBM InfoSphere Optim, though more costly upfront, provides long-term ROI through extensive data management features that enhance data governance and compliance.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase

June 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 InfoSphere Optim

Ranking in Database Development and Management

16th

Average Rating

6.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Oracle Essbase

Ranking in Database Development and Management

11th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

5.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Database Development and Management category, the mindshare of IBM InfoSphere Optim is 2.6%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Essbase is 0.9%, down from 1.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Database Development and Management

Featured Reviews

Kenneth Estanislao

Solutions Designer at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees

Backups become efficient while cost concerns remain

I am still working with IBM and we are transitioning to other tools rather than using IBM InfoSphere Optim. We use other tools, but I cannot recall the name because I am not the one currently handling it. It has transitioned to other architects. For IBM InfoSphere Optim, we are still currently using it, but we have transitioned to the newer version, the latest one with support for AWS S3. I cannot identify a main competitor for IBM InfoSphere Optim because we have transitioned to other architects, and they are the ones looking for other tools. The last comparison I did was almost 4 years ago. I am not using any AI technology with IBM InfoSphere Optim. I rate IBM InfoSphere Optim a seven out of ten. The tool is good, but the price is not favorable as it is the most expensive part. I can recommend IBM InfoSphere Optim for enterprises.

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Pratik Phapale

Oracle Hyperion Essbase Developer at HCL Technologies

Multidimensional cube structure enables complex data storage and Oracle consistently upgrades Essbase

It's definitely growing and has many great features, especially in the cloud. I haven't used the on-premises server as much. Multidimensional data processing: Essbase is a kind of backbone, or back end, for systems like Hyperion Planning and Hyperion Financial Management. It's a multidimensional cube where we can store and process details, generate reports, and do multiple data processing, which isn't possible in Oracle or other alternatives. So, I'm grateful for this experience. Continuous improvement: Recently, I faced a version upgrade from 11.1.2 to 11.4. Now I'm on 11.2.10. Essbase is continuously upgrading its features in different areas, like configuration, properties, and the cloud platform. It's great to have experience with this, as well as working with the fundamental parts of the VM sets.

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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

"We like that we can easily restore the database with just a few clicks. The database is linked as well."

"I feel the solution to be a bit faster than the traditional methods, which makes it easy to customize."

"The compression feature is valuable because it achieves around 80% compression."

"It is highly efficient and easily scalable, particularly for handling large databases."

"Essbase is extremely stable and low-maintenance."

"Oracle Essbase is a web integration system that integrates with other data systems."

"Unlike relational, where you're linking together multiple tables, with Essbase, you basically define what the dimensions are beforehand, and you define the hierarchy, and then load the data. This allows you to do a pretty sophisticated analysis so that you can drill into it and slice and dice the data."

"It's a very powerful analytical engine with Essbase as the back end. We can analyze, transform, or utilize a big chunk of data for our calculations."

"It is very fast compared to other normal databases, like SQL and MySQL."

"The solution can handle a large volume of data."

"It helps us fetch specific data sets per users' requirements."

More Oracle Essbase pros

Cons

"While the solution is very supportive of Db2, it is not so friendly when it comes to IMS databases."

"We're looking for a solution that can be implemented on AWS. IBM InfoSphere Optim can be implemented on AWS, but it costs more than double what we're currently paying. So, it's not really of good value for us."

"The potential room for improvement for IBM InfoSphere Optim is usually its cost, as it is too expensive."

"There is room for improvement in terms of cost-effectiveness."

"The initial setup is pretty complex."

"I would like to see an integration with application performance management and a version control management tool."

"The consolidation engine, which is HFM or FCCS, needs some room for improvement."

"It's an expensive product to use."

"They should improve the solution's performance."

"The solution could enhance business analytics. I delved into the data using Oracle Essbase to create a new support tool."

"The reporting tool of Essbase needs improvement."

More Oracle Essbase cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"IBM InfoSphere Optim is a very expensive solution. Actually, it's the most expensive archiving solution that we have."

"Essbase is competitively priced."

"The solution is expensive."

"I believe the licensing is on a monthly base."

"It is a costly solution."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

26%

Insurance Company

10%

Computer Software Company

Healthcare Company

Financial Services Firm

23%

Computer Software Company

10%

Insurance Company

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with IBM InfoSphere Optim?

The potential room for improvement for IBM InfoSphere Optim is usually its cost, as it is too expensive. Currently, there are no issues with IBM InfoSphere Optim; the only problem is the cost, whic...

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What is your primary use case for IBM InfoSphere Optim?

My current use case for IBM InfoSphere Optim is just for doing backups. We are using IBM InfoSphere Optim specifically for backup purposes.

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What advice do you have for others considering IBM InfoSphere Optim?

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Essbase?

It's not that expensive, but also not cheap. I'm not sure because it's a private license.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Oracle Essbase?

If I got the opportunity to work with Hyperion, which is the best product, I would definitely go with that. The main concern is that Oracle is ending on-premises server support, so it would be bett...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Oracle Essbase?

We provide complete ownership of this application to Walmart projects. In the UK system, we support and develop for the Asda account, known as Eltham. We provide installation and support to over 50...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 49% of the time

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Compared 26% of the time

Oracle Enterprise Manager vs IBM InfoSphere Optim

Compared 26% of the time

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Microsoft Power BI vs Oracle Essbase

Compared 24% of the time

SAP Analytics Cloud vs Oracle Essbase

Compared 12% of the time

SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform vs Oracle Essbase

Compared 11% of the time

IBM Cognos vs Oracle Essbase

Compared 7% of the time

IBM Planning Analytics vs Oracle Essbase

Compared 7% of the time

More Oracle Essbase Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Database Development and Management

June 2025

Download IBM InfoSphere Optim product report

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Essbase

June 2025

Download Oracle Essbase product report

Also Known As

IBM Optim, Optim

Essbase

Overview

IBM Optim solutions manage data from requirements to retirement. They boost performance, empower collaboration, and improve governance across applications, databases and platforms. By managing data properly over its lifetime, organisations are better equipped to support business goals with less risk.

IBM

Oracle Essbase is an OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) Server that provides an environment for deploying pre-packaged applications or developing custom analytic and enterprise performance management applications.

Oracle

Sample Customers

Durham Police Department, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Continental, KCE Electronics Public Company Limited, The University of Adelaide, Migros Zurich, COPROB

CHU de Rennes, Bellco Credit Union, Akindo Sushiro Co. Ltd, Deutsche Telekom AG, Samarco MineraÊo S.A., PCCW Ltd., QDQ media S.A.U., Boiron Italia, Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., Akindo Sushiro Co. Ltd., Air Canada, Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd.

Buyer's Guide

IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase

June 2025

Free Report: IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase

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