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HammerDB

Free#18 of 37 in Performance Testing SoftwareDatabase Testing Tools

HammerDB: A free, open-source choice for repeatable database workload benchmarks and distributed load generation. Ranked #18 of 37 in Performance Testing Software by our editors (7.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for database benchmark and workload testing.

7.6/10Editor score
Visit HammerDB
HammerDB7.6 Visit HammerDB

At a glance

  • Editor score
    7.6 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Database benchmark and workload testing
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    Free
  • Load testing
    Yes
  • Facts checked
    21 Sep 2026
HammerDB screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • Free GPLv3 software with transactional and analytic workloads
    • Distributed load generation with database and operating-system metrics
    • CLI, GUI, web-service views, CI automation, and Docker distribution

  • Where it doesn't

    • Not designed for browser testing
    • Does not provide API testing workloads
    • On-premise deployment requires infrastructure management

Our verdict on HammerDB

HammerDB is an open-source performance testing application for database engineers, developers, and infrastructure teams. It runs standardized transactional TPROC-C and analytic TPROC-H workloads against Microsoft SQL Server, IBM Db2, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MySQL, Amazon Redshift, and selected cloud database configurations. The software supports configurable virtual users, graphical and command-line interfaces, web-service job views, benchmark reports, and repeatable execution across local or networked load-generation servers.

The strongest fit is database-focused benchmarking rather than broad application testing. HammerDB combines database and operating-system metrics with response-time profiling, percentile reporting, and result artifacts. Primary-replica distributed load generation allows workload execution across multiple load-generation servers, while Docker image distribution can support container-based deployment. JSON result endpoints, CI and pipeline automation, and command-line operation make it suitable for teams that need benchmark runs incorporated into engineering workflows.

HammerDB is distributed as free GPLv3 software, with no paid tiers described. Its scope is deliberately narrower than a general browser or API testing platform: browser testing and API testing are not part of the published category specifications. Deployment is on-premise, so teams need to provide and manage the environment used for database connections, load generation, reporting, and automation. Choose HammerDB when database transaction and analytic workload performance are the priority, especially across its supported database systems. Choose an alternative when the primary requirement is browser journeys, API-specific testing, or a broader application performance testing scope.

Your product? Our editors can test HammerDB in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

HammerDB pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on hammerdb.com

HammerDB fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromFree
Load testingYes
Stress testingYes
Browser-based testingNot verified
Distributed loadYes
API testingNot verified
Deployment modelOn-premise
Max virtual usersNot verified
DeploymentDesktop, Self-hosted
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Linux
SupportCommunity, Docs
Built forSmall business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations7 integrations: SQL Server, Db2, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MySQL …
PricingFree plan
Websitehammerdb.com
Facts checked21 Sep 2026

HammerDB integrations

HammerDB lists 7 integrations on its own site.

  • SQL Server
  • Db2
  • Oracle
  • PostgreSQL
  • MariaDB
  • MySQL
  • Amazon Redshift

Alternatives to HammerDB

See all HammerDB alternatives →

Also Ranked In

HammerDB is ranked in 2 of our directories.

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — HammerDB 7.6/10

HammerDB is listed in our Performance Testing Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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