HSQLDB
HSQLDB: A free SQL-standard database for Java applications needing embedded or self-hosted operation. Ranked #28 of 37 in Relational Databases by our editors (6.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for SQL-standard embedded databases.
At a glance
- Editor score6.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSQL-standard embedded databases
- Free planYes
- Paid from$100/yr
- Deployment modelSelf_hosted
- Founded2001
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Embedded and client-server modes support different deployment patterns
- SQL:2023 features with JDBC and ODBC connectivity
- Backups, versioned tables, and replicated-database synchronization
Where it doesn't
- Deployment is limited to self-hosted environments
- The product is primarily aimed at Java developers
- No paid software plans are described
Our verdict on HSQLDB
HSQLDB, also known as HyperSQL, is an open-source relational database management system written in Java. It is intended for Java developers building database-backed applications for development, testing, and deployment. Its deployment options cover both embedded and client-server operation, while its table support includes in-memory, disk-based, and text tables. That makes it suitable for applications that need a SQL database inside the application or as a separately operated database service.
The published product capabilities cover a broad SQL and transaction feature set. HSQLDB supports SQL:2023 core and optional features, JDBC and ODBC access, and transaction control through two-phase locking, MVCC, or a hybrid model. It also includes online and offline database backups, SQL and CSV import and export, system-versioned tables, and replicated-database synchronization. These features give teams options for transactional behavior, data portability, historical table tracking, and replication-oriented workflows without moving beyond a self-hosted database model.
HSQLDB is free and open source, with no paid software plan described. Optional SupportWare subscriptions are separate from the product itself. The main fit is for teams that want an SQL-standard relational database they can embed, operate on their own infrastructure, and connect through established Java or ODBC interfaces. Teams seeking a managed hosted database should choose an alternative, because HSQLDB is verified for self-hosted deployment. It is also a focused choice for Java-centered projects rather than a general-purpose managed database service.
Your product? Our editors can test HSQLDB in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
HSQLDB pricing
All 3 HSQLDB plans and prices →
HSQLDB fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $100/yr |
| Deployment model | Self_hosted |
| Managed service | Not verified |
| High availability | Yes |
| Read replicas | Yes |
| Backup retention | Not verified |
| JSON data support | Yes |
| Maximum connections | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: JDBC, ODBC, OpenOffice.org, LibreOffice |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | hsqldb.org |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
HSQLDB integrations
HSQLDB lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- JDBC
- ODBC
- OpenOffice.org
- LibreOffice
Alternatives to HSQLDB
- PostgreSQLA free, extensible relational database for production workloads and technical teams.9.4
- MySQLA versatile open-source SQL database with replication, JSON, connectors, and failover.9.3
- Oracle DatabaseA mature enterprise database with unusually broad data-model and availability capabilities.9.2
Also Ranked In
HSQLDB is ranked in 4 of our directories.
Used HSQLDB? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used HSQLDB for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
HSQLDB is listed in our Relational Databases directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/hsqldb/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/hsqldb.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update