The Best SQL Databases in 2026
We researched SQL databases using official vendor websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on the core job of storing and querying structured data, value for money, and verified features, so you can compare database products for your workloads and deployment needs.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
MySQL#1 of 249.4/10A versatile SQL database for workloads spanning self-managed and cloud deployments.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
PostgreSQL#2 of 249.3/10A self-hosted SQL database with JSONB features, replication, and high availability.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Microsoft SQL Server#3 of 249.2/10A broad SQL database for Windows- and Azure-oriented environments, with free and paid editions.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 24 tools, best first
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Best forBroadly compatible SQL workloads
A versatile SQL database for workloads spanning self-managed and cloud deployments.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit MySQL -
Best forTeams needing open-source SQL and advanced data features
A self-hosted SQL database with JSONB features, replication, and high availability.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit PostgreSQL -
Best forWindows- and Azure-oriented SQL environments
A broad SQL database for Windows- and Azure-oriented environments, with free and paid editions.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft -
Best forLarge organizations needing managed or self-hosted SQL
A broad SQL platform for organizations balancing mission-critical workloads with deployment choice.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Oracle -
Best forAWS users needing managed, resilient SQL
A managed AWS database for teams that need resilient SQL and AWS service integrations.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Amazon Aurora -
Best forFree, self-hosted MySQL-compatible databases
A self-hosted, MySQL-compatible database with replication, clustering and multiple connectors.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit MariaDB -
Best forEnterprise workloads needing analytics and tuning
A hybrid-cloud database for transactional, analytical and operational workloads, with a limited free tier.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit IBM Db2 -
Best forEmbedded, desktop, and mobile applications
A free, open-source SQL engine for applications that need a local, portable database.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit SQLite -
Best forManaged distributed SQL with a free workspace
A managed SQL service with a free shared workspace and usage-based production tiers.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit SingleStore -
Best forFree embedded or small self-hosted databases
A Java database with embedded, server, and mixed modes for small self-hosted workloads.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forCloud SQL needing horizontal scale and HTAP
MySQL-compatible cloud SQL with horizontal scaling and real-time analytics.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit TiDB Cloud -
Best forTeams needing PostgreSQL-compatible multi-region SQL
A managed SQL database for teams scaling workloads across cloud regions.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit CockroachDB -
Best forOpen-source SQL with flexible server architectures
A free, self-hosted SQL database with multiple server architectures and built-in replication.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Firebird -
Best forMySQL-compatible self-hosted performance and replication
A self-hosted MySQL alternative with advanced replication and performance instrumentation.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Percona -
Best forTeams managing hybrid, multi-cloud YugabyteDB clusters
Centralizes YugabyteDB provisioning and operations across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Yugabyte -
Best forTime-series, spatial, and embedded database workloads
A broad SQL and JSON database with time-series, spatial, replication, and edge capabilities.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit IBM Informix -
Best forJava applications needing embedded or server SQL
A free, self-hosted Java database with embedded and client-server modes.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit HSQLDB -
Best forEnterprise teams running mixed SQL workloads
An enterprise SQL database for mixed transactional and analytical workloads, with deployment flexibility.
- Managed backups
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Actian -
Best forEnterprise OLTP with synchronous failover
An enterprise-focused SQL database for OLTP, with synchronous replication and a 90-day trial.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit SAP -
Best forEnterprise hybrid in-memory and disk SQL
ALTIBASE combines in-memory and disk storage with SQL transactions and replication.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit ALTIBASE -
Best forEmbedded and offline transactional deployments
A small-footprint SQL database for embedded and offline transactional workloads.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Actian -
Best forFree self-hosted SQL with broad connector options
A self-hosted SQL engine with recovery, replication, JSON support, and broad connectors.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit CUBRID -
Best forMobile apps needing embedded multi-user SQL
A commercial embedded database with full SQL, transactions and multi-user access.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Contact Mimer -
Best forEnterprises managing documents across business workflows
An enterprise content platform, not a SQL database.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit OpenText
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MySQL | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | PostgreSQL | Yes | Free | 9.3 |
| 3 | Microsoft SQL Server | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 4 | Oracle Database | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 5 | Amazon Aurora | No | 9.0 | |
| 6 | MariaDB Server | Yes | Free | 8.9 |
| 7 | IBM Db2 | Yes | $630/mo | 8.8 |
| 8 | SQLite | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 9 | SingleStore Helios | Yes | $0.99 usage-based | 8.6 |
| 10 | H2 Database Engine | Yes | Free | 8.5 |
| 11 | TiDB Cloud | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 12 | CockroachDB Cloud | No | $0.06/unit usage-based | 8.3 |
| 13 | Firebird | Yes | Free | 8.2 |
| 14 | Percona Server for MySQL | Yes | Free | 8.1 |
| 15 | YugabyteDB Anywhere | No | 8.0 | |
| 16 | IBM Informix | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 17 | HSQLDB | Yes | $100/yr | 7.8 |
| 18 | Actian Ingres | No | 7.7 | |
| 19 | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (SAP ASE) | No | 7.6 | |
| 20 | ALTIBASE | No | 7.5 | |
| 21 | Actian Zen | No | 7.4 | |
| 22 | CUBRID | Yes | Free | 7.3 |
| 23 | Mimer SQL Mobile | 6.9 | ||
| 24 | SAP Extended Enterprise Content Management by OpenText | 6.8 |
Head-to-head All 18 comparisons →
- MySQL vs MariaDB Server
- MySQL vs IBM Db2
- MySQL vs SQLite
- PostgreSQL vs MariaDB Server
- PostgreSQL vs IBM Db2
- PostgreSQL vs SQLite
- Microsoft SQL Server vs MariaDB Server
- Microsoft SQL Server vs IBM Db2
- Microsoft SQL Server vs SQLite
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How we rank sql databases
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update