5 Best Database Software of 2024

Red lorry, Yellow lorry may be a funny tongue twister but in reality, for some businesses, keeping track of their database is as successful as pronouncing that phrase on your fifth try -chaotic. Database management is such a critical part of any business, large or small. An effective database can help you track customer information, sales data, and so much more.

Therefore, connecting data about sales, stock, customers, and marketing campaigns is what makes database systems so valuable to businesses. Without a centralized database, you have no idea what’s going on in your company.

Technology has gone above and beyond to make life easier for us in every aspect of humanity, and small and large-scale businesses have to evolve to keep up  for the sake of a smooth running of business operations.

The beautiful thing about technology is you always have options and with database software, this is also true. But with options sometimes, confusion is close by, hence our review of the best database software in 2022. Read on to see the ones that made our list!

Factors to Consider in Choosing the Best Database Software in 2022

There are different types of database software available on the market today. It can be challenging to determine which one is best for your needs. However, there are a few key factors that you should consider when making your decision.

• The peculiarity of data. Different database software programs are designed for different data types. For example, some database software is designed specifically for storing financial data. Other database software is designed for storing customer information.
• Size of the database. To round holes, round pegs fit the most. The size of your database will determine the amount of storage space required and the number of users that can be supported.
• Security you require. Information, they say, is power.  For storing sensitive data, you will want to choose a database program with security features.
• Ease of use. Some database software are designed for experienced users, while others are designed for novice users. If you are not familiar with databases, you will want to choose a database software program that is easy to use.
• Price. You should consider working with a programme that is cost effective. There’s no use overspending here. You will need to determine how much you are willing to spend on the database software before making your final decision.

Review of Our Top 5 Picks of Best Database Software in 2022

1. MySQL

MySQL is a widely-used open-source database management system. It is used by organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises, and it works with a wide range of operating systems and platforms. MySQL is easy to use and has many features that make it a great choice for small businesses. 

It is fast, reliable, and scalable, which makes it a great choice for growing businesses or websites that get a lot of traffic. There is also a strong community of developers and users behind MySQL, making it easy to find help and resources when needed. Overall, MySQL is a great choice for small businesses that want a database management system that is both powerful and affordable.

Key Features

• The software allows for easy and simple integration with other software
• MySQL is designed to be easy to use for small businesses. It has a simple interface that makes it easy to manage and query data. Also, MySQL usability is rated highest for its usability among users.
• It is a reliable database software programme that millions of businesses worldwide have used. It is stable and secure and can be depended on to manage critical business data.

Pros

• Simple integration with a wide range of software tools.
• Scalability becomes easier as business capacity grows.
• Searching is extremely quick and efficient.
• There are really good backup and restore functions, so if anything goes wrong with the client server, it is easy to get data back.

Cons

• MySQL’s inability to handle massive databases and the resulting performance issues is a fundamental limitation of the platform.
• Better debugging tools would be helpful.
• Optimization of queries.
• There is a steep learning curve. New users will take time to get a handle on the system. 

Pricing

MySQL has three Pricing plans:

• MySQL Standard edition(Web and end users). This Plan cost $2,000 per year
• MySQL Enterprise Edition( Web and End Users). This plan costs $5,000 per year
• MySQL cluster carrier grade edition (Web and End User). This plan costs $ 10,000 per year
• MySQL Classic Edition(Embedded Database). Custom price. Contact the support team.

2. Microsoft SQL

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) designed for use in enterprise environments. It’s known for its scalability, high performance, and security. It supports both structured and unstructured data, making it a versatile option for businesses of all types. Its robust security features ensure that your data is safe and secure. Microsoft SQL comes with a variety of tools and features that makes it easy to use, including a visual interface that makes it easy to create and manage databases. There’s also a variety of reports and analysis tools that you can use to get insights into your data.

Key features

• It is integrated with Astera Centerprise, Flexmonster Pivot Table & Charts Component SkyviaDevart ,Excel Add-insNovaBACKUP, IBM and many more
• It is ideal for large-scale projects.
• SQL server can be used as the back end for almost all software programs. Its adaptability lies in the fact that it may be used to store a wide variety of data.
• Microsoft SQL database software includes various tools that make managing your data easy, including a web-based interface, an import/export tool, and a reporting tool.

Pros 

• Configurable and simple to use with Visual Studio and Dot Net.
• Simple MSBI integration for performing data analysis.
• Data Protection.
• Simple to comprehend and use thanks to its graphical user interface (GUI).
• Microsoft SQL has a free trial option.
• It has a free version.

Cons

• Requires a lot of maintenance.
• Pricing is extremely high, making it difficult for smaller or mid-tier businesses to use.
• Microsoft SQL Server is a proprietary software product from Microsoft, so it’s not free or open source.
• The functions for database backup and recovery need to be improved.
• There is no data visualization.

Pricing

• Subscription cost $1,418 per license.
• Enterprise subscriptions cost $13,748 per license.

3. PostgreSQL 

PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source object-relational database system(ORDBMS) that is perfect for small businesses. With PostgreSQL, you can get all the features of an enterprise-level database without the high price tag.

This software is known for flexibility, reliability, and extensibility.

Key features

• High performance: PostgreSQL is designed for high performance, meaning that it can handle large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
• High availability: PostgreSQL is also designed for high availability. It can be used in mission-critical applications where uptime is essential.
• Scalability: PostgreSQL is highly scalable. It can be used in applications that need to grow and scale over time.
• Flexibility:PostgreSQL can be customized to suit the specific needs of any business.
•  Security: PostgreSQL is also very secure. It can be used in applications where data security is a critical concern.

Pros

• PostgreSQL offers excellent support for a wide range of programming languages.
• It is compatible with a variety of operating systems. The software will run on Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it a versatile option for small businesses that use a variety of devices and platforms. 
• Multi-level database transactions.
• Simple to set up.
• Simple to configure.
• Easy to use user interface.

Cons

• No columns need to be moved around, and data compression needs to be better.
• PostgreSQL is slow and not good for large-scale enterprise applications.
• PostgreSQL can be challenging to use, particularly for businesses without a lot of technical expertise.
• It is also not as widely used as other database software options, so fewer resources may be available for troubleshooting and support.

Pricing 

• Pricing for clusters with a single node starts at $15/month.
• Pricing for high-availability clusters starts at $30/month.
• Read-only nodes begin at $15.00 per month.

4. Oracle Database software

Oracle database software is one of the most popular and trusted database solutions on the market today. It’s perfect for small businesses that need a reliable and easy-to-use solution for managing their data. With Oracle, you can easily create and manage databases, as well as retrieve and update information quickly and efficiently.

Key Features

• High performance: Oracle database software is designed for high performance, so you can get the most out of your data.
• Availability: Real-time applications need to have easy access to a lot of data. Setting up high-performance computing environments is done to make sure that data is always available. During planned or unplanned failures and downtimes, the availability of data is seen.
• Great Performance and Scalability: With capabilities such as Portability and Real Application Clustering, the scalability of the Oracle database is increased. Oracle is contemplating a multiuser database, which necessitates the regulation of data consistency and concurrency.
• Security: Security should always be the number one priority. Oracle provides proprietary capabilities for monitoring and controlling data access and usage. By implementing permission and altering user activities, you may simply prohibit illegal access and grant distinct access to certain users.

Pros

• Data indexing is done quickly.
• Allows for a clustered environment.
• Various data-handling tools are available.

Cons

• Materialized views with massive datasets.
• Blobs and clobs are being backed up.
• Compared to IBM DB2, inserting large amounts of data is somewhat slow.
• Oracle Database is a proprietary software product from Oracle, so it’s not free or open source.

5. IBM DB2

IBM DB2 is a relational database management system (RDBMS) designed for use in businesses. It is known for its scalability, high performance, and security.

DB2 is a powerful database software that is perfect for small businesses. It is easy to use and has all the features that you need to manage your data effectively. With DB2, you can easily create, update, and delete databases. You can also run SQL queries and get results in real-time. Moreover, DB2 comes with a built-in web server that allows you to access your data from anywhere in the world

Key Features

• DB2 is easy to install and requires little maintenance, making it ideal for small businesses with limited IT resources.
• The software offers a wide range of features, including support for data warehousing, OLTP, and web applications.
• Highly scalable, it allows you to add more users and data as your business grows easily.
• DB2 is highly compatible with other software, making it easy to integrate into your existing infrastructure.

Pros

• It moves the databases closer to where the apps are.
• It has a design that makes it easy to use.
• There are daily backups and monitoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• It also lets you scale online and bills you as you go.

Cons

•  DB2 is a proprietary software product from IBM, so it’s not free or open source. 
• It can also be challenging to administer, particularly in large enterprise environments. 
• It’s not as widely used as other database software options, so fewer resources may be available for troubleshooting and support.
• There is no option for mass migration.

Final Thoughts

There are different types of database software available on the market today. However, not all are created equal. Some are better suited for specific tasks than others. When it comes to choosing the best database software for your needs, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

First and foremost, you need to decide what type of database you need. There are relational databases, object-oriented databases, and NoSQL databases. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Relational databases are best suited for storing data that can be easily related to other data. Object-oriented databases are good for storing complex data structures. SQL databases are best for handling large amounts of data that don’t necessarily need to be related to other data.

Once you’ve decided what type of database you need, you can start looking at specific software options. Many different database software programs are available, so it’s important to do your research and choose one that will meet your specific needs. Be sure to read reviews and compare pricing before making your final decision.

With so many database software programs available, choosing the best one for your needs can be difficult. However, by keeping a few key factors in mind, you can narrow down your options and find the perfect software for your business.