MySQL vs MariaDB

by Gralio Feb 27, 2025

Both MySQL and MariaDB are robust open-source databases suitable for various applications. MySQL benefits from broader community support and a mature ecosystem, while MariaDB offers performance advantages and advanced features. The best choice depends on specific project requirements and priorities like performance, community support, and feature availability.

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 1922 reviews and 60 websites, saving 11 hours, 10 minutes of reading.

MySQL

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MariaDB

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About

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.

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

MySQL is a versatile and widely adopted open-source database known for its flexibility and established community support. MariaDB, a fork of MySQL, offers enhanced performance and features, making it a compelling alternative for users seeking advanced capabilities and a potentially faster experience.

Relative strengths of MySQL (compared to MariaDB)

Wider adoption and larger community, resulting in more readily available resources and support.
Mature ecosystem with extensive third-party tool integration.
MySQL HeatWave offers in-memory acceleration for improved query performance.

Relative weaknesses of MySQL (compared to MariaDB)

Can be slower than MariaDB for certain workloads.
Fewer advanced features compared to MariaDB.
Potential compatibility issues with MariaDB-specific features.

What companies are using MySQL and MariaDB?

Toss Bank

The Boeing Company

Great HealthWorks

Brown University Entrepreneurship Program

Welcome

BSEF

WePay

guard.me International Insurance

University of Toronto

Who should use MySQL VS. MariaDB

MySQL is a popular open-source database known for its ease of use and strong community support. Users appreciate its cost-effectiveness and cross-platform compatibility. However, some have noted performance limitations with large datasets. It's a great option for businesses needing a reliable database solution, especially for online applications.

MariaDB is a powerful open-source database solution known for its performance and reliability. A popular alternative to MySQL, it offers similar features at a lower cost. Users praise its robust feature set and stability but note occasional performance issues with large infrastructures. MariaDB is well-suited for businesses of all sizes, particularly those in the software, IT, and telecommunications sectors.

Ideal for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.
A versatile database suitable for various sectors, including e-commerce, software, and finance.

Ideal for small to large businesses seeking a cost-effective, open-source database solution.
Best fit for software, IT, and telecommunications companies needing robust database management.

MySQL 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

HeatWave

Supported

MySQL HeatWave is a separate service built upon MySQL Enterprise Edition.

Not supported

MariaDB does not support Heatwave, which is exclusive to MySQL. Migration to MySQL is required.
MySQL Enterprise Edition

Supported

MySQL Enterprise Edition offers advanced features for scalability, security, reliability, and uptime.

Supported

MariaDB offers its own enterprise-grade features and support as an alternative.
MySQL for OEM/ISV

Supported

MySQL supports embedding for OEMs, ISVs, and VARs, improving competitiveness and time to market.

Not supported

MariaDB offers its own embedded database solutions for ISVs and OEMs.
SQL support

Supported

MySQL uses SQL for querying and managing data.

Supported

MariaDB supports SQL for querying data.
Index management

Supported

MySQL provides tools to create, manage, and optimize indexes for faster queries.

Supported

MariaDB supports creating, managing, and optimizing indexes for faster data retrieval.
Query optimization

Supported

MySQL offers various query optimization tools and functions like indexing and profiling.

Supported

MariaDB offers various query optimization tools, including a query optimizer, optimizer trace, and EXPLAIN keyword.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

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Customer Service

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Ease of Use

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Reliability and Performance

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Ease of Implementation

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Scalability

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MySQL and MariaDB Pricing

No data

See full Pricing page

No data

We couldn't find a pricing page for MariaDB.

MySQL and MariaDB review insights

Users love

Open-source and free, offering cost savings.
Easy to use and implement for basic database operations.
Large and active community provides ample support.
Cross-platform compatibility ensures flexibility.

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

Slow performance with large datasets or complex operations.
Occasional localhost connection issues.
Limited advanced analytics and data warehousing capabilities.
Learning curve can be steep for advanced features.

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.

MySQL and MariaDB Ratings

G2

4.4/5

(1631)
Glassdoor

3.8/5

(55086)

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

7% decrease in the last quarter

10% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

May 1991 - $0

July 2023 - $272M

How does MariaDB's "drop-in replacement" nature affect MySQL migration ease?

MariaDB's drop-in replacement capability simplifies MySQL migration by allowing users to switch with minimal changes to existing applications. This is because MariaDB is designed to be highly compatible with MySQL, often requiring only a simple change in the database connection settings. This significantly reduces the development effort and downtime associated with database migrations.

Which product offers better community support for troubleshooting and learning?

MySQL has a larger and more active community, evidenced by significantly more Glassdoor reviews and higher website traffic growth. While both products offer community support, MySQL's larger community suggests more readily available resources for troubleshooting and learning.

What are the advantages of MySQL?

MySQL benefits from broader industry adoption and a larger, more active community, offering better support and resources. MySQL also exhibits slightly better website traffic growth, indicating potentially wider usage and community engagement.

What are the disadvantages of MySQL?

MySQL users have reported slow performance when dealing with large datasets or complex operations. Some users also experience occasional issues connecting to the localhost. MySQL has limited advanced analytics and data warehousing capabilities compared to other database solutions. Finally, while basic usage is straightforward, mastering advanced MySQL features can involve a steep learning curve.

Alternatives to MySQL 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.

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.

MongoDB

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.

Google Cloud BigQuery

Google BigQuery is a fully managed data warehouse service that helps businesses analyze massive datasets to gain insights. It's serverless, so you don't need to manage any infrastructure, and it can handle data from various sources. BigQuery is designed for fast query processing, allowing you to quickly explore and analyze your data. It's a powerful tool for data-driven decision-making in any industry, regardless of company size.

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.

MongoDB Atlas

MongoDB Atlas is a cloud-based database service that's easy for developers to use. It allows you to store information in flexible formats that are like digital filing cabinets. It's designed for businesses of all sizes and can handle various data needs. MongoDB Atlas is reliable, adapts to changes easily, and can grow with your company's needs by spreading information across multiple servers.

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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