MongoDB vs MariaDB

by Gralio Mar 07, 2025

MongoDB and MariaDB cater to different data management needs. MongoDB suits businesses requiring a flexible, scalable NoSQL database for handling large, evolving datasets, while MariaDB is better for those needing a robust, relational SQL database for transactional operations and structured data management.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 766 reviews and 60 websites, saving 4 hours, 45 minutes of reading.

MongoDB

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MariaDB

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About

MongoDB is a flexible database management software designed for modern businesses. Unlike traditional systems that rely on rigid tables, MongoDB stores data as documents, similar to how we organize information in files. This makes it easier for developers to build applications and adapt to changing needs. MongoDB excels at handling large volumes of diverse data, making it suitable for various tasks like real-time analytics and managing online catalogs.

MariaDB is a popular, free alternative to traditional database software. Developed by the creators of MySQL, it's known for its strong performance, reliability, and open-source nature. MariaDB is highly adaptable, working well for both transaction-heavy tasks (like processing orders) and analyzing large datasets. It's commonly used by companies of all sizes and is a key part of many cloud computing services. Notably, MariaDB offers similar features as more expensive database products but without the high cost.

Summary

Main difference

MongoDB is better for handling large volumes of unstructured data and scaling applications quickly, while MariaDB excels in structured data management and transactional operations where data integrity is paramount.

Relative strengths of MongoDB (compared to MariaDB)

Schema flexibility for evolving data structures.
Scalability and performance with large datasets.
Strong developer community and extensive documentation.

Relative weaknesses of MongoDB (compared to MariaDB)

Limited JOIN support for complex queries.
Higher memory consumption compared to relational databases.
Steeper learning curve for users familiar with SQL.

What companies are using MongoDB and MariaDB?

No data

Google

Who should use MongoDB VS. MariaDB

MongoDB is a versatile, document-based database perfect for businesses handling large, diverse datasets. Its flexible schema and scalability make it ideal for modern application development and real-time analytics. Users praise its powerful query language but note the learning curve and limited JOIN support. Best for small to large enterprises.

MariaDB is a popular open-source database solution known for its performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Users appreciate its rich feature set and compatibility with MySQL. However, some have noted occasional performance issues with larger infrastructures and complex setup processes. MariaDB is a strong choice for businesses of all sizes, particularly those in the software, IT, and telecommunications industries seeking a robust and affordable alternative to traditional database software.

Ideal for small to large businesses (1-1000+ employees).
Best fit for Software, IT, and Telecommunications.

Ideal for small to large businesses seeking a robust, open-source database solution.
Strong fit for software, IT, and telecommunications companies.

MongoDB and MariaDB features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Data Storage

Supported

MongoDB stores data centrally using a document-oriented model.

Supported

MariaDB systematically stores data in a central location using databases and tables.
Data Retrieval

Supported

MongoDB supports efficient data retrieval with its query system, indexing, and aggregation framework.

Supported

MariaDB supports efficient data retrieval using SQL queries and optimized storage engines.
Data Manipulation

Supported

MongoDB supports adding, deleting, and modifying data using CRUD operations.

Supported

MariaDB supports adding, deleting, and modifying data using SQL commands.
SQL support

Partially supported

MongoDB does not support SQL directly, but offers SQL-like querying via tools like the BI Connector and Atlas SQL Interface.

Supported

MariaDB supports SQL for querying data.
NoSQL support

Supported

MongoDB is a NoSQL database, it natively supports querying data stored within it.

Not supported

MariaDB has NoSQL-like features but does not directly query other NoSQL databases.
Cloud-based deployment

Supported

MongoDB supports cloud-based deployments through products like Atlas and Cloud Manager.

Supported

MariaDB can be deployed in the cloud via platforms like Amazon RDS and Azure.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

+0.33

Rather positive sentiment

No data
Customer Service

No data

No data
Ease of Use

+1

Strongly positive sentiment

No data
Reliability and Performance

+0.56

Rather positive sentiment

No data
Ease of Implementation

+0.56

Rather positive sentiment

No data
Scalability

+0.83

Strongly positive sentiment

No data

MongoDB and MariaDB Pricing

No data

User sentiment

Rather positive

+0.33

See full Pricing page

No data

User sentiment

Strongly positive

We couldn't find a pricing page for MariaDB.

MongoDB and MariaDB review insights

766 reviews analysed from and

Users love

Flexible schema design, allowing for evolving data structures
Scalability and efficient handling of large datasets
Powerful query language and aggregation framework
Active community and extensive documentation

Feature-rich, including features unavailable in the free version of MySQL.
Often a drop-in replacement for MySQL.
Stable performance, suitable for production environments.
Cost-effective, especially for startups and mid-sized businesses.
Easy integration with various frameworks.

Users dislike

Limited JOIN support, making complex queries challenging
High memory consumption, especially with large datasets
Steep learning curve for beginners, especially those familiar with SQL databases
Backup and restore operations can be complex compared to traditional relational databases

Performance issues can arise with large infrastructures.
Setup and security processes can sometimes be unclear.
Limited cloud provider support.
Occasional incompatibility with third-party tools.
Limited storage capacity.

MongoDB and MariaDB Ratings

G2

4.6/5

(17)
Capterra

4.7/5

(458)

G2

4.4/5

(222)
Capterra

4.7/5

(71)
Glassdoor

3.8/5

(56)

Company health

Employee growth

5% increase in the last year

6% decrease in the last year

Web traffic

11% decrease in the last quarter

10% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data

July 2023 - $272M

How do MongoDB's document storage and MariaDB's relational model impact development?

MongoDB's document storage model simplifies development by allowing developers to work with flexible, evolving schemas, mirroring the structure of objects in application code. This reduces the impedance mismatch between code and database, speeding up development. Conversely, MariaDB's relational model enforces a stricter schema, beneficial for data integrity and complex relationships, but requiring more upfront design and potentially slowing down development when changes are needed. The choice impacts how developers structure data, write queries, and handle relationships within their applications.

Which database, MongoDB or MariaDB, better suits my team's SQL expertise?

MariaDB is the better choice for a team with SQL expertise. MariaDB is a relational database that uses SQL, while MongoDB is a NoSQL database that uses a document-oriented query language. If your team is already proficient in SQL, they will be able to use MariaDB much more effectively.

What are the advantages of MongoDB?

MongoDB offers advantages in terms of flexibility and scalability. Its document-oriented data model allows for easier adaptation to evolving data structures and efficient handling of large datasets, making it well-suited for modern applications and real-time analytics. MongoDB also benefits from a strong community and extensive documentation, which can be valuable resources for developers.

What are the disadvantages of MongoDB?

MongoDB's lack of JOIN support makes complex queries challenging. It also has high memory consumption, particularly with large datasets. There's a steep learning curve for users familiar with SQL databases. Finally, backup and restore operations can be more complex compared to traditional relational databases.

Alternatives to MongoDB and MariaDB

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is a reliable, open-source database system businesses use to store and manage their data. Known for its reliability and performance, it's suitable for a wide range of needs, from single computers to large-scale data storage for multiple users. PostgreSQL is free to use and is backed by a large community of developers.

Amazon DynamoDB

Amazon DynamoDB is a fully managed database service that's part of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform. It's designed to handle massive amounts of data and traffic, making it suitable for businesses with demanding applications, like mobile apps or e-commerce platforms. Unlike traditional databases, DynamoDB doesn't rely on servers, meaning it can scale its resources up or down automatically based on your needs. This ensures fast performance, high availability, and cost-efficiency as you only pay for what you use.

MySQL

MySQL is the world's most popular open-source relational database. It's a reliable and robust system used by companies of all sizes to store and manage data. MySQL offers a range of solutions from free downloads to enterprise-level packages with advanced features and support. Known for its flexibility and performance, MySQL is a popular choice for web applications, data analysis, and more.

ScyllaDB

ScyllaDB is a database designed for applications that need to handle massive amounts of data with very fast response times. Think of it like a super-efficient filing system that’s always lightning fast, even with billions of files. It's ideal for companies experiencing rapid growth that need to ensure their systems remain fast and reliable as they add more users and data. ScyllaDB boasts lower operating costs compared to other databases and is used by companies like Disney+ and Expedia.

SQLite

SQLite is a self-contained database system that requires no setup or server management. SQLite Cloud builds upon this by offering a way to synchronize and scale your SQLite databases across multiple devices and servers. This allows you to build applications that work reliably even when offline, while still being able to handle large amounts of data and users.

Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a database management system for businesses of all sizes. It helps you analyze various types of data and can be used in multiple environments, including on your servers and in the cloud. SQL Server offers high performance and strong security features. It allows developers to build applications using different programming languages and provides mobile business intelligence tools.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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