Matisse
Matisse: A specialized self-hosted database for applications that need object persistence and SQL. Ranked #34 of 37 in Relational Databases by our editors (6.1/10); pricing: Paid; best for object-oriented database applications.
At a glance
- Editor score6.1 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forObject-oriented database applications
- Free planNo
- Deployment modelSelf_hosted
- Founded1990 · Burlingame, California, United States
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Native object persistence, XML storage and ANSI SQL support
- Online schema evolution, mirroring, partitioning and backups
- Supports Windows, macOS and Linux with JDBC and ODBC connectivity
Where it doesn't
- Paid editions start at $245
- Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure management
- Feature breadth is specialized rather than broadly general-purpose
Our verdict on Matisse
Matisse is a self-hosted post-relational database for developers and organizations building complex, real-time applications. Its central focus is object-oriented data: native object persistence and object-oriented data support sit alongside ANSI SQL, XML storage and processing, referential integrity, full-text search and server-side programming. The product is suited to teams whose applications need object persistence without giving up relational access, and to organizations working with structured, interconnected data across Windows, macOS or Linux.
Pricing is organized around a limited-feature Developer trial, Matisse Lite at $245, and Standard Edition at $1,570. Matisse Lite is an embedded version of the Matisse DBMS, while Standard Edition adds a deployment license. The published plans show a paid product rather than a free edition, so the most relevant choice depends on whether the database is embedded within an application or deployed as a licensed database system. Teams should also account for the operational responsibilities that come with self-hosted deployment.
Matisse’s strongest distinction is the combination of object persistence with database capabilities commonly needed in complex applications. Stored methods, procedures and triggers support server-side logic; dynamic schema evolution allows changes while the database remains online; and database and disk mirroring, data partitioning, linear SMP scalability, online backup and full transaction support address deployment and availability requirements. JDBC and ODBC connectivity, plus integrations with Visual Studio .NET, JBuilder, NetBeans, Forte for Java and Rational Rose, broaden development options. Choose Matisse when its object-oriented model and specialized feature set match the application. Choose another database when a broader general-purpose ecosystem or a cloud-first deployment model is the priority.
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Matisse pricing
All 3 Matisse plans and prices →
Matisse fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Deployment model | Self_hosted |
| Managed service | Not verified |
| High availability | Yes |
| Read replicas | Not verified |
| Backup retention | Not verified |
| JSON data support | Not verified |
| Maximum connections | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 7 integrations: Visual Studio .NET, JBuilder, NetBeans, Forte for Java, Rational Rose, JDBC … |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | matisse.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Matisse integrations
Matisse lists 7 integrations on its own site.
- Visual Studio .NET
- JBuilder
- NetBeans
- Forte for Java
- Rational Rose
- JDBC
- ODBC
Alternatives to Matisse
- 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
See all Matisse alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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