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 8.1. IBM holds a 2.5% 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

617 Views
531 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

Oracle Essbase

Read 18 Oracle Essbase reviews

1,850 Views
130 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: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase

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 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

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

4.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Database Development and Management category, the mindshare of IBM InfoSphere Optim is 2.5%, up from 2.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Essbase is 0.9%, down from 1.1% 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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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.

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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."

"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."

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

"I have found the most valuable aspect is the user-friendly environment and current features."

"Oracle's capability to define custom hierarchies and dimensions has helped my organization in performing nuanced data exploration and advanced modeling because we use Oracle Essbase for dimension definition and also to define the properties of these members, such as dynamic members, stored members, shared members."

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

"Essbase is extremely stable and low-maintenance."

"The solution is scalable."

"Essbase is a kind of backbone, or back end, for systems like Hyperion Planning."

"The solution is stable and reliable."

More Oracle Essbase pros

Cons

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

"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 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."

"The reporting tool of Essbase needs improvement."

"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."

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

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

"The initial setup could be simplified."

"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 include the financial consolidation module that is available in EPM."

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."

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

"It is a costly solution."

"Essbase is competitively priced."

"The solution is expensive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

27%

Insurance Company

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Financial Services Firm

22%

Computer Software Company

10%

Insurance Company

Retailer

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?

Improvements for Oracle Essbase could be made, as there are many tools available now, such as FCCS, TRCS, and ERCS. I find managing the database difficult, especially regarding optimization and dat...

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What is your primary use case for Oracle Essbase?

I have been using Oracle Essbase for the last thirteen years and I am into this space for thirty years. I am working on the sales-based platform where I work with different clients for GE, Thomson ...

See all answers

Comparisons

Informatica Data Archive vs IBM InfoSphere Optim

Compared 66% of the time

Oracle Enterprise Manager vs IBM InfoSphere Optim

Compared 34% 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 11% of the time

SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform vs Oracle Essbase

Compared 10% 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

July 2025

Download IBM InfoSphere Optim product report

Buyer's Guide

Oracle Essbase

August 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

July 2025

Free Report: IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Oracle Essbase

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