MySqlConnector review
A free, cross-platform .NET driver with configurable pooling and MySQL-compatible database support.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
MySqlConnector is an open-source C# ADO.NET driver for .NET applications connecting to MySQL-compatible databases. It suits teams building applications on Windows, macOS, or Linux that need standard connection, command, reader, and transaction APIs alongside synchronous or asynchronous database I/O. Documented compatible servers include MySQL, MariaDB, Amazon Aurora, Azure Database for MySQL, Google Cloud SQL for MySQL, and Percona Server. It is deployed self-hosted as an embedded client component.
Connection pooling is enabled by default, with connection-string controls for maximum and minimum pool sizes, connection lifetime, idle timeout, and reset behavior when pooled connections are reused. Multiple-server load balancing and failover options extend the driver beyond a single-server connection pattern, while TLS configuration options address encrypted database connections. The package is installed through NuGet, and integrations with Entity Framework Core and Dapper help it fit applications already using those tools. The published category specifications identify a configurable default maximum of 100 connections, not a fixed plan limit.
The main boundary is architectural: MySqlConnector provides pooling inside a .NET database driver rather than operating as an independent pooler shared by different application runtimes. Its protocol focus is MySQL, and transaction pooling is not supported in the listed specifications. Documentation is the stated support channel, so organizations seeking managed operations or broader support services should evaluate alternatives. Choose MySqlConnector when a .NET application needs open-source, cross-platform connectivity and direct control over pool behavior; consider another product when a standalone pooler, multi-protocol coverage, or managed deployment is central.
MySqlConnector pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Connection pooling defaults with configurable size, lifetime, idle timeout, and reset
- Supports MySQL-compatible servers with failover and load-balancing options
- Async I/O plus Entity Framework Core and Dapper integrations
- Where it doesn't
- Embedded client-side driver, not a standalone database pooler
- Supports the MySQL protocol rather than multiple database protocols
- Published support channel is documentation only
MySqlConnector fact sheet, pricing and score →
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