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Head-to-head · Database Connection Pooling Software

MariaDB MaxScale vs Microsoft.Data.SqlClient

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score MariaDB MaxScale #1 in Database Connection Pooling Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 1 features Visit MariaDB
Microsoft.Data.SqlClient #8 in Database Connection Pooling Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Microsoft

MariaDB MaxScale leads on 0 checks, Microsoft.Data.SqlClient on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMariaDB MaxScale · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Microsoft.Data.SqlClient
  • Free trialonly MariaDB MaxScale

MariaDB MaxScale scores higher on our rubric for database connection pooling software: 9.3 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Microsoft.Data.SqlClient offers free plan; MariaDB MaxScale doesn't. On deployment model, MariaDB MaxScale gives you Both where Microsoft.Data.SqlClient offers Embedded.

MariaDB MaxScale is the better fit for enterprise MariaDB/MySQL connection routing and pooling. Microsoft.Data.SqlClient is the better fit for SQL Server and Azure SQL applications.

  • MariaDB MaxScale fits best

    Enterprise MariaDB/MySQL connection routing and pooling

  • Microsoft.Data.SqlClient fits best

    SQL Server and Azure SQL applications

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Side by side

Feature MariaDB MaxScale 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Microsoft.Data.SqlClient 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.2
Ranking #1 in Database Connection Pooling Software #8 in Database Connection Pooling Software
Best for Enterprise MariaDB/MySQL connection routing and pooling SQL Server and Azure SQL applications
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Linux Windows, Linux, macOS
Integrations 8 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Enterprise, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features MariaDB MaxScale 0/1 · Microsoft.Data.SqlClient 0/1
Transaction pooling Not checked yet —
Specs
Pooling modes Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment model Both Embedded
Supported databases MariaDB Server, MySQL-compatible servers, ColumnStore, Enterprise Cluster, MongoDB protocol SQL Server; Azure SQL
Connection limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Protocol support Not checked yet Tabular Data Stream (TDS)
Our review
Pros
  • Combines backend connection pooling with SQL-aware read/write routing.
  • Supports load balancing, automatic failover, connection migration and transaction replay.
  • Offers GUI, REST API and command-line administration with MariaDB ecosystem integrations.
  • Connection pooling is enabled by default, with configurable pool sizes.
  • Supports async connection opening, command execution, and transactions.
  • Offers Entra ID authentication options and strict TLS encryption.
Cons
  • Production use requires an enterprise subscription and contact with sales.
  • Its focus is MariaDB and MySQL-compatible backends, not a general database proxy.
  • Administration and routing capabilities may exceed the needs of simpler pooling setups.
  • Supports SQL Server and Azure SQL only.
  • Pooling is client-side and embedded, not a standalone pooling service.
  • Does not provide transaction pooling.
Our verdict

MariaDB MaxScale sits between applications and backend databases as a database proxy, combining connection pooling with SQL-aware query routing. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise teams running production MariaDB or MySQL-compatible…

Read the review →

Microsoft.Data.SqlClient is a free, open-source .NET data provider for applications connecting to SQL Server and Azure SQL. It supplies APIs to open connections, execute SQL commands, read results, and manage transactions, with support for…

Read the review →
  1. MariaDB MaxScaleDatabase Connection Pooling Software 9.3Pricing on request · 30-day trial
  2. Microsoft.Data.SqlClientDatabase Connection Pooling Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MariaDB MaxScale — where it wins

    • Combines backend connection pooling with SQL-aware read/write routing.
    • Supports load balancing, automatic failover, connection migration and transaction replay.
    • Offers GUI, REST API and command-line administration with MariaDB ecosystem integrations.

    Where it doesn't

    • Production use requires an enterprise subscription and contact with sales.
    • Its focus is MariaDB and MySQL-compatible backends, not a general database proxy.
    • Administration and routing capabilities may exceed the needs of simpler pooling setups.

  • Microsoft.Data.SqlClient — where it wins

    • Connection pooling is enabled by default, with configurable pool sizes.
    • Supports async connection opening, command execution, and transactions.
    • Offers Entra ID authentication options and strict TLS encryption.

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports SQL Server and Azure SQL only.
    • Pooling is client-side and embedded, not a standalone pooling service.
    • Does not provide transaction pooling.
  • MariaDB MaxScale9.3/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

    SQL-aware pooling and routing for MariaDB and MySQL-compatible production environments.

    Visit MariaDBFull verdict →
  • Microsoft.Data.SqlClient8.2/10 · Free plan

    A free embedded .NET driver with default client-side pooling for SQL Server and Azure SQL.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All database connection pooling software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update