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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 7.9. IBM holds a 2.2% mindshare in DDM, compared to Oracle’s 1.1% 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
  • 726 Views
  • 661 Comparison Views
75% willing to recommend
Oracle Essbase
Read 18 Oracle Essbase reviews
  • 1,744 Views
  • 279 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

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.

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To learn more, read our detailed IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase Report (Updated: December 2025).
Buyer's Guide
IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase
December 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
4
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Oracle Essbase
Ranking in Database Development and Management
11th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
4.6
Number of Reviews
18
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Database Development and Management category, the mindshare of IBM InfoSphere Optim is 2.2%, down from 2.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Essbase is 1.1%, down from 1.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Database Development and Management Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Oracle Essbase1.1%
IBM InfoSphere Optim2.2%
Other96.7%
Database Development and Management
 

Featured Reviews

Kenneth Estanislao - PeerSpot reviewer
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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Bhavya N - PeerSpot reviewer
Bhavya N
Senior System Engineer at Infosys
Ensuring efficient data analysis and reporting while identifying areas for calculation and export improvements
The features of Oracle Essbase are valuable, such as its multi-dimensional database used for dynamic calculations and reporting purposes. These features are valuable because they support multi-dimensional data views, allowing users to analyze relationships across various data categories and establish a comprehensive perspective on business operations. Moreover, dynamic calculations allow real-time data analysis, significantly improving the accuracy and depth of financial insights. I have utilized Essbase's data aggregation capabilities. The Oracle Essbase interface provides a good user experience, allowing users to easily navigate and analyze data with fast query performance, effective data visualization tools such as charts, graphs, and tables, and flexibility for customizable analysis and reporting, including the ability to create ad hoc reports. The benefits of the interface include improving productivity and enhancing decision-making.
Read full review

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."
"The compression feature is valuable because it achieves around 80% compression."
"I feel the solution to be a bit faster than the traditional methods, which makes it easy to customize."
"The solution is stable and reliable."
"The Oracle Essbase interface provides a good user experience, allowing users to easily navigate and analyze data with fast query performance, effective data visualization tools such as charts, graphs, and tables, and flexibility for customizable analysis and reporting, including the ability to create ad hoc reports."
"Oracle Essbase is a web integration system that integrates with other data systems."
"With Oracle Essbase, everything is centralized in a comprehensive financial statement analysis, allowing for complete management of budget, actuals analysis, and forecast."
"Essbase is extremely stable and low-maintenance."
"I have found the most valuable aspect is the user-friendly environment and current features."
"The solution is scalable."
"Oracle Essbase enables organizations to take their strategic decisions, which helps them make the right decisions at the right time."
More Oracle Essbase pros
 

Cons

"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."
"While the solution is very supportive of Db2, it is not so friendly when it comes to IMS databases."
"The potential room for improvement for IBM InfoSphere Optim is usually its cost, as it is too expensive."
"They should improve the solution's performance."
"Essbase has a programming language, and it has a couple of functions to do forecasting, however, their feature set for that is not that good."
"The main concern is that Oracle is ending on-premises server support, so it would be better if there was a cloud platform available for Oracle Essbase."
"I would like to see an integration with application performance management and a version control management tool."
"The reporting tool of Essbase needs improvement."
"The initial setup could be simplified."
"The consolidation engine, which is HFM or FCCS, needs some room for improvement."
"It's an expensive product to use."
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."
"It is a costly solution."
"Essbase is competitively priced."
"I believe the licensing is on a monthly base."
"The solution is expensive."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
19%
Retailer
9%
Outsourcing Company
9%
Insurance Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
20%
Insurance Company
8%
Computer Software Company
7%
Retailer
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business4
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise14
 

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...
See all answers
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.
See all answers
What advice do you have for others considering IBM InfoSphere Optim?
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 handl...
See all answers
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?
A significant area for improvement in Oracle Essbase is that financial statement analysis, CAPEX and OPEX analysis, and financial consolidation must be done manually, as Oracle Essbase doesn't incl...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Oracle Essbase?
The initial setup of Oracle Essbase is dependent on whether you select BSO or ASO cubes. First, you need to set up the type of information and once the type of cubes is defined, you need to define ...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Oracle Enterprise Manager vs IBM InfoSphere Optim
Compared 17% of the time
Solix Enterprise Data Management vs IBM InfoSphere Optim Logo
Solix Enterprise Data Management vs IBM InfoSphere Optim
Compared 16% of the time
Archon Data Store vs IBM InfoSphere Optim Logo
Archon Data Store vs IBM InfoSphere Optim
Compared 11% of the time
SAP Replication Server vs IBM InfoSphere Optim Logo
SAP Replication Server vs IBM InfoSphere Optim
Compared 10% of the time
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Microsoft Power BI vs Oracle Essbase Logo
Microsoft Power BI vs Oracle Essbase
Compared 21% of the time
SAP Analytics Cloud vs Oracle Essbase Logo
SAP Analytics Cloud vs Oracle Essbase
Compared 9% of the time
IBM Planning Analytics vs Oracle Essbase Logo
IBM Planning Analytics vs Oracle Essbase
Compared 8% of the time
IBM Cognos vs Oracle Essbase Logo
IBM Cognos vs Oracle Essbase
Compared 8% of the time
Tableau Enterprise vs Oracle Essbase Logo
Tableau Enterprise vs Oracle Essbase
Compared 6% of the time
More Oracle Essbase Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Database Development and Management
December 2025
IBM InfoSphere Optim reportDownload IBM InfoSphere Optim product report
Buyer's Guide
Oracle Essbase
January 2026
Oracle Essbase reportDownload 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 MineraÊo 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
December 2025
Free Report: IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase
Find out what your peers are saying about IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase and other solutions. Updated: December 2025.
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