Best IBM Db2 Alternatives in 2026
The top IBM Db2 alternatives are PostgreSQL, MySQL and Oracle Database: 15 relational databases our editors would look at instead of IBM Db2, in our ranking order.
IBM Db2: A broad Db2 option for hybrid-cloud teams needing transactions, analytics, and availability. Where it falls short: the paid performance plan starts at USD 630 per month.
Switching from IBM Db2? For most relational databases buyers the best IBM Db2 alternative is PostgreSQL, built for open-source production databases. Oracle Autonomous AI Database offers the most backup retention (60 days).
Why People Look for an IBM Db2 Alternative
- The paid Performance plan starts at USD 630 per month
- The Free plan is limited to 200 MB of storage
- The product spans a wide enterprise feature set that may exceed smaller needs
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallPostgreSQL9.4
Open-source production databases
Visit PostgreSQL - Best free optionPostgreSQL9.4
Has a free plan
Visit PostgreSQL - Most backup retentionOracle Autonomous AI Database8.6
60 days
Visit Oracle Autonomous AI Database
All 15 IBM Db2 Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forOpen-source production databases
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.7
A free, extensible relational database for production workloads and technical teams.
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
- High availability
9.4/10★★★★★Visit PostgreSQL -
Best forVersatile open-source SQL deployments
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.7
A versatile open-source SQL database with replication, JSON, connectors, and failover.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
9.3/10★★★★★Visit MySQL -
Best forEnterprise databases with broad capabilities
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.7
A mature enterprise database with unusually broad data-model and availability capabilities.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Oracle -
Best forMicrosoft-centered enterprise workloads
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.7
A broad Microsoft database platform for enterprise and hybrid deployments.
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
- High availability
9.1/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forScalable managed PostgreSQL or MySQL
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.7
A managed AWS database for scalable PostgreSQL, MySQL, and distributed SQL workloads.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit AWS Aurora -
Best forLow-cost managed SQL Server
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.7
A low-cost managed SQL Server service with a free offer and Azure-native features.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Azure SQL -
Best forManaged databases in Google Cloud
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.7
A managed MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server service with strong Google Cloud integration.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- High availability
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forManaged multi-engine AWS databases
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.7
A managed AWS database service for teams needing engine choice and operational automation.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Amazon RDS -
Best forAutomated Oracle cloud databases
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.7
A strong fit for Oracle-centric teams seeking managed operations and built-in continuity.
- Managed service
- JSON data support
- High availability
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Oracle -
Best forEmbedded databases for applications
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.7
A free, serverless SQL engine for applications that need local, embedded storage.
- JSON data support
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit SQLite -
Best forOpen-source MySQL-compatible deployments
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.7
A self-hosted MySQL-compatible server with replication, clustering, JSON, and sharding options.
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
- High availability
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit MariaDB -
Best forSAP enterprise data workloads
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.7
A broad managed database for SAP workloads, with contact-sales pricing and no free plan.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit SAP HANA Cloud -
Best forAnalytics-oriented managed PostgreSQL
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.7
A managed PostgreSQL service for demanding transactional, analytical, and AI workloads.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forManaged PostgreSQL on Azure
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.7
A managed PostgreSQL service for Azure workloads needing availability, replicas, and private networking.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forManaged MySQL on Azure
- Better than IBM Db2:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.7
A flexible managed MySQL service for applications built on Azure.
- Managed service
- Read replicas
- JSON data support
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit site
IBM Db2 Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to IBM Db2?
PostgreSQL: #1 in our Relational Databases ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free, extensible relational database for production workloads and technical teams.
Is there a free alternative to IBM Db2?
Yes. PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database have a free plan or a free tier (9 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for IBM Db2 alternatives?
The paid Performance plan starts at USD 630 per month; The Free plan is limited to 200 MB of storage; The product spans a wide enterprise feature set that may exceed smaller needs.
Which IBM Db2 alternative has the most backup retention?
Oracle Autonomous AI Database, with 60 days.
How do I switch from IBM Db2?
Export your data from IBM Db2 (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel IBM Db2.
How to Switch from IBM Db2
- Export your data from IBM Db2 (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel IBM Db2.
IBM Db2 vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment model | Managed service | High availability | Read replicas | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | IBM Db2 | Yes | $630/mo | Both | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 1 | PostgreSQL | Yes | Free | Self_hosted | No | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | MySQL | Yes | Both | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Oracle Database | Yes | Both | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 4 | Microsoft SQL Server | Yes | Both | No | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 5 | Amazon Aurora | No | Cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 6 | Azure SQL Database | Yes | Cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 7 | Google Cloud SQL | No | $0.04 usage-based | Cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 8 | Amazon RDS | No | Both | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 9 | Oracle Autonomous AI Database | Yes | Both | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | ||
| 10 | SQLite | Yes | Free | Self_hosted | No | 8.5 | ||
| 11 | MariaDB Server | Yes | Free | Self_hosted | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 12 | SAP HANA Cloud | Yes | Cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 13 | AlloyDB for PostgreSQL | No | Cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 14 | Azure Database for PostgreSQL | No | Cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 15 | Azure Database for MySQL | No | Cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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