15 Finest Free Database Software program for Knowledge Administration in 2024

Whether or not you’re a marketer or software program developer, you’ve got in all probability heard of “database”.

A database is a element of any pc system that shops and organizes information in a handy type. The idea of database software program isn’t arduous to understand as all of us use databases constantly.

Think about an Excel spreadsheet: a set of information organized into columns and rows. A database operates equally however normally on a bigger scale throughout many interconnected computer systems and with extra advanced types of information.

However getting your fingers on the most effective database software program could be difficult. Quite a few choices can be found, and deciding which is best for you is not simple. We’ve compiled a listing of the highest free database software program, together with their professionals and cons. 

Finest free database software program

When selecting database software program, there isn’t any “this software is best than that”. What you choose depends upon your corporation necessities.

It’s good to contemplate a number of components, particularly when deciding on database software program to develop functions. The database software program affords sturdy information administration capabilities, together with environment friendly information parsing for streamlined data dealing with. This consists of asking the proper questions on a software program’s capabilities, guaranteeing whether or not to spend money on studying a brand new database and determining what you wish to obtain together with your functions.

If you happen to do not wish to pay, loads of free database options are divided into two major teams: relational and non-relational. However, for those who haven’t selected the database software program (paid or free) you wish to use, right here are some things to think about:

• Complexity: Sure database software program could be moderately advanced and require some technical information. Alternatively, some challenge administration software program simplifies managing project-related information.
• Safety: No person needs their information to fall into the flawed fingers. Selecting software program that makes use of cutting-edge information safety protocols is important.
• Integrations: Software program integrations permit customers to deal with information throughout many functions, equivalent to CRM software program or messaging apps.
• Pricing: As we discover a number of the prime free database software program, some functions could have premium plans that present extra options, storage capability, and extra. So select a database answer that provides the most effective worth for cash.

How did we choose and consider the most effective database software program?

At G2, we rank software program options utilizing a proprietary algorithm that considers buyer satisfaction and market presence based mostly on genuine consumer critiques. Our market analysis analysts and writers spend weeks testing options towards a number of standards set for a software program class. We provide you with unbiased software program evaluations; that is the G2 distinction! We didn’t settle for cost or trade hyperlinks for product placements on this checklist. Please learn our G2 Analysis Scoring Methodology for extra particulars.

Finest free relational database software program

A relational database is an organized assortment of information parts linked collectively by predefined associations. These parts are organized in a sequence of tables with rows and columns.

Relational database software program helps companies draw significant data through linked tables. Customers can simply comprehend the patterns and connections or how the tables are associated.

The checklist beneath accommodates real-user critiques of the most effective free relational database options available on the market. To be included on this checklist, the developed functions must be free and:

• Supply information storage
• Construction information in a relational mannequin by defining a desk with rows and columns
• Let customers accumulate, replace, ship, or delete information

*This checklist relies on G2 information collected in 2024. Some critiques might have been edited for readability.

1. Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)

Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) allows customers to construct, handle, and increase databases within the cloud. It affords scalable capability whereas automating time-consuming administrative duties, together with {hardware} provisioning, setup, patches, and backups.

It frees companies to give attention to providers and offers them with the wanted efficiency and safety. High operational options embrace the Amazon RDS Administration Console, the AWS RDS Command-Line Interface, and easy API requires fast and simple setup. 

What customers like greatest: 

“What I like greatest about Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) is its capability to simplify the administration of relational databases with automated backups, scaling, and upkeep. This permits customers to give attention to utility growth with out worrying in regards to the underlying database infrastructure. The seamless integration with different AWS providers and sturdy security measures additional improve its attraction.”

– Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) Evaluate, Cuong M. 

What customers dislike: 

“As a managed service, RDS might not supply the identical stage of customization and management as self-managed databases, which is usually a limitation for sure superior use circumstances.“

– Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) Evaluate, Nireeksha P. 

2. IBM Db2

IBM Db2 is a relational database administration system (RDBMS) that effectively shops, analyzes, and retrieves information. Corporations of all sizes use Db2 for transactional and analytical processes because it affords steady information availability to maintain them operating easily. Db2 additionally helps NoSQL options, equivalent to XML, graph retailer, and JSON.

What customers like greatest: 

“IBM Db2 is a steady platform and built-in relational database administration system that leverages high-performance, virtualization, and vitality effectivity options. Additionally, it’s supported by totally different media.”

– IBM Db2 Evaluate, Sachin D.

What customers dislike: 

“It will be nice if we may have help to have a local UI software to view information and execute queries. The question efficiency is likely to be gradual generally for long-running processes.”

– IBM Db2 Evaluate, Vignesh V.

3. MariaDB

MariaDB relieves companies of proprietary databases’ prices, limitations, and intricacy, permitting them to give attention to what issues most: constructing inventive, customer-facing apps. MariaDB employs pluggable, purpose-built storage engines to accommodate workloads that historically wanted a spread of specialist databases.

MariaDB offers unmatched operational agility with out shedding essential company capabilities equivalent to real ACID compliance and full SQL.

What customers like greatest: 

“It is a dependable and open-source database system that does not fear the customers. I used this database over oracle due to its efficiency and availability. We will depart an impression on the shoppers through the use of the MariaDB database.”

– MariaDB Evaluate, Tabassum Okay.

What customers dislike: 

“It isn’t handy for a giant stream of information. Additional, it performs comparatively nicely by way of clustering and is continually up to date with new options and capabilities.”

– MariaDB Evaluate, Satyam G.

Finest free doc database software program

A doc database (usually referred to as a document-oriented database or a doc retailer) shops information within the type of paperwork. It is a non-relational (also referred to as NoSQL) database well-suited for catalogs, consumer profiles, and content material administration programs, the place every doc is exclusive and adjustments over time.

Doc database software program makes it a lot simpler for programmers to avoid wasting and question information in a database as a result of they make use of the identical document-model format as their codebase. Versatile indexing, sturdy advert hoc searches, and analytics over collections of paperwork are all potential with doc databases.

The checklist beneath accommodates actual consumer critiques from the most effective free doc database options available on the market. Along with being a free utility, to be included on this checklist, you could additionally:

• Supply information storage
• Construction information in a doc mannequin
• Let customers retrieve information

*This checklist relies on G2 information collected in 2024. Some critiques might have been edited for readability.

1. Couchbase

Couchbase is a feature-rich database administration system for small and midsize organizations and massive companies in numerous industries, together with banking, resorts, vitality, data expertise (IT), retail, telecommunications, and manufacturing. 

Couchbase is a multi-model NoSQL database designed completely for mission-critical functions.It’s a document-oriented distributed database that mixes two fashionable NoSQL applied sciences: Membase and CouchDB.

What customers like greatest: 

“Simple to get began. We will question over the DB utilizing N1QL, which is similar to SQL, so it does not want additional information to get began. The UI may be very clear and simple to grasp. Indexing is simple to implement; we are able to see all of the out there indices, and whereas operating the queries, we are able to see which index was picked up. Liked this feature.”

– Couchbase Evaluate, Amit P.

What customers dislike: 

“Including approved customers was a bit difficult. Nonetheless, my workforce figured it out after some poking round.”

– Couchbase Evaluate, Nico P.

2. ArangoDB

ArangoDB is a extremely scalable, multi-model database that excels in dealing with advanced, interconnected information constructions. As a doc database, it is optimized for storing and querying information in a versatile JSON-like format, making it perfect for functions that require speedy growth and environment friendly information administration.

What customers like greatest: 

“The combination of the doc, search, and graph fashions has made our selections simpler. We will restrict our stack to make use of Arango and never have an explosion of vendor programs for every goal.”

– ArangoDB Evaluate, Kevin B.

What customers dislike: 

“Creating Property graphs is simple. Nonetheless, there isn’t any direct approach to create an RDF/OWL graph. RDF triples are helpful in machine studying.”

– ArangoDB Evaluate, Amardeep Singh S.

3. MarkLogic 

MarkLogic is an enterprise-grade NoSQL doc database famend for its capability to deal with huge volumes of numerous information, together with XML, JSON, and RDF. It affords a singular mix of database, search, and utility server functionalities inside a single platform.

What customers like greatest: 

“MarkLogic is a database platform managing massive dataflows and totally different datatypes. It additionally shops numerous structured and unstructured queries together with numerous dataflows that may be managed underneath a single system. It helps customers for sooner indexing and search from massive datasets and permits customers to deal with growing quantities of information. MarkLogic is compliant with atomicity, isolation, sturdiness, and consistency. MarkLogic could be built-in with numerous third-party instruments and offers confidentiality, integrity, and auditing.”

– MarkLogic Evaluate, Harshit L. 

What customers dislike: 

“The license price is extraordinarily excessive and so is the quantity of area required to retailer information.” 

– MarkLogic Evaluate, Abdalla H. 

Finest free graph database software program

A graph database represents and shops information utilizing graph constructions for semantic queries, equivalent to nodes, edges, and properties. A graph is an important component within the system and connects the info objects to a set of nodes and edges, the place the sides point out the nodes’ relationships.

These relationships immediately join saved information and, in lots of circumstances, retrieve it in a single operation. As a result of relationships are preserved indefinitely within the database, querying them is fast. Graph databases can simply show interconnections, which is useful for extensively interconnected data.

The checklist beneath accommodates actual consumer critiques of the most effective free graph database options available on the market. To be included on this checklist, not solely do you must be a free utility, but in addition:

• Supply information storage
• Retailer and construction information in a topographical schema
• Let customers retrieve information utilizing a querying language

*This checklist relies on G2 information collected in 2024. Some critiques might have been edited for readability.

1. Neo4j 

Neo4j is an open-source graph database that helps companies make data-driven selections because it reveals the relationships between individuals, processes, and programs. Neo4j maintains interconnected information by default, making information simpler to understand. Corporations may use the property graph mannequin to develop machine studying and AI fashions.

What customers like greatest: 

“Neo4j is probably the most interactive and simple to make use of or question software I’ve ever labored with. The ciphers are so user-friendly that somebody with no information of programming or question languages can get began at any second, which supplies us an edge in explaining the BI evaluation and parameters to our clients. Visualizations assist you debug and resolve the problems method sooner than different DBs. And their integration with most cloud providers permits a clean integration in our functions.“

– Neo4j Evaluate, Gariba G. 

What customers dislike: 

“I didn’t discover a number of sources to assist after I obtained caught. Additionally, the setup course of was a bit tedious, particularly with solely the documentation to go off, however I managed to determine the drivers points.”

– Neo4j Evaluate, Ian J. 

2. ArangoDB

ArangoDB is a flexible, multi-model database that seamlessly integrates graph, doc, and key-value information fashions inside a single platform. This unified method empowers builders to effectively handle and question advanced datasets. It shops and queries paperwork, graphs, and key-value information utilizing a single, declarative question language (AQL). Ensures information integrity and consistency throughout a number of operations.

What customers like greatest: 

“I like that it is rather versatile with its multi-model method; you have got the facility of a doc retailer with graph search, which basically permits you to do no matter you do with each doc shops and with SQL databases, plus far more because of the graph traversal. The AQL language may be very intuitive and so fast to be taught. Pace is nice, too. It’s simple to make use of for prototyping, and it offers you with DevOps software for cluster set up on Kubernetes.”

– ArangoDB Evaluate, Delio D. 

What customers dislike: 

“It was a little bit of a studying curve on how information is shared over the nodes within the cluster, which is important to know to get good efficiency when executing queries. Whereas it is seldom you wish to change the identify of a set, that’s potential when working with a single standalone server, however it’s not potential in a cluster setup.

It is unimaginable to set most popular service hours for upkeep (upgrades) for the clusters of their cloud service, so except we provoke upgrades manually, they will begin throughout our primetime.”

– ArangoDB Evaluate, Johan S. 

3. Dgraph

Dgraph is a graph database system with a single schema growth mannequin. Customers can use the software to develop a schema, deploy it, and obtain quick database and API entry with out writing any code.

Dgraph permits customers to decide on between GraphQL and DQL, so anybody with no prior information of graph databases to get began.

What customers like greatest: 

“We have now opted for the Dgraph Cloud platform for our enterprise as it’s extremely scalable with low latency. It is wonderful for necessities which have real-time transactional workloads because it synchronizes buyer information successfully. Knowledge retrieval is hassle-free & we are able to carry out arbitrary depth joins with out worrying about our cluster limitations.”

– Dgraph Evaluate, Varshini S.

What customers dislike: 

“Dgraph requires excessive RAM to retailer a graph in comparison with different choices. The managed providing does not present all of the performance potential utilizing its Kubernetes cluster. The administration must be accomplished by your self or the DevOps workforce of the group.”

– Dgraph Evaluate, Aditya G.

Finest free object-oriented database software program

An object-oriented database (OOD) is a system that operates with subtle information objects, equivalent to these present in object-oriented programming (OOP) languages. An object-oriented database is structured round objects moderately than actions and information moderately than logic.

Object-oriented databases deal with information as complete objects. As an alternative of a number of tables, all data is introduced in a single, immediately accessible object package deal.

An entity is represented as an object in OOP that’s maintained in reminiscence. Members of objects embrace fields, attributes, and strategies. Objects have a life cycle that contains an object’s creation, use, and disposal. A number of main OOP languages can be found right this moment, together with C++, Java, C#, Ruby, Python, JavaScript, and Perl.

The checklist beneath accommodates actual consumer critiques of the most effective free object-oriented database options available on the market. To be included on this checklist, you must be a free utility and:

• Supply information storage
• Retailer and construction information in object-based information fashions
• Let customers create, retailer, and replace object information fashions

*This checklist relies on G2 information collected in 2024. Some critiques might have been edited for readability.

1. IBM Db2

IBM Db2 is a scalable object-oriented database administration system (OODBMS) designed to deal with advanced information constructions and relationships. As an OODBMS, Db2 affords a versatile and intuitive method to storing and managing information, making it well-suited for functions that require superior information modeling and querying capabilities.

What customers like greatest: 

“That is nice for storing and organizing our shopper’s information and offers the corporate the pliability to make use of information and tables as we modernize our software program platform. I exploit Run SQL scripts probably the most to entry information to check my applications with totally different information units. The DB2 database is ideal for the monetary and demographic information that’s the spine of our system. The system may be very safe, which is ideal for all of the delicate information we now have.”

– IBM Db2 Evaluate, Chris D.

What customers dislike: 

“There are some things that may be improved. Firstly, the mixing choices should not available. The UI could be improved to help the educational curve of recent customers.”

– IBM Db2 Evaluate, Punit S.

2. InterSystems IRIS

InterSystems IRIS is a high-performance information administration platform that offers IT specialists the instruments to develop machine studying and information connectivity functions. The software program additionally helps database administration for SQL and NoSQL databases. It is primarily designed for organizations that need bespoke apps to deal with incoming information rapidly and carry out real-time information analytics.

What customers like greatest: 

“It is quick, enables you to work with many applied sciences, not simply healthcare-related ones, and integrates many cool options into your initiatives by default. With out doing any additional work, you’re going to get a hint log that permits you to search and redo processes fixing errors. It features a quick and versatile database with a tree construction that will also be used with common SQL.”

– InterSystems IRIS Evaluate, Jaime L.

What customers dislike: 

“I believe the largest draw back to InterSystems Iris (and is definitely small compared to what it might be) is that if you wish to add customized performance, you’ll have to be taught the InterSystems Particular programming language (no less than a bit of) to get it constructed out. It follows fairly commonplace programming guidelines and syntax, although, so it will not take lengthy to get shifting with it.”

– InterSystems IRIS Evaluate, Victoria C.

3. InterSystems Chaché

InterSystems Caché is a full-featured database system with all of the performance required to run mission-critical functions, together with journaling, backup and restoration, and system administration instruments, for healthcare, banking and monetary providers, authorities, and different industries.

What customers like greatest: 

“It is a swift and safe database and might talk with relational entry, internet pages, and object entry.”

– InterSystems Caché Evaluate, Eike Scudellari F.

What customers dislike: 

“The Studio editor is a bit outdated, and I really feel a scarcity of common data on the open internet.”

– InterSystems Caché Evaluate, Andy C.

Finest free key-value database software program

A key-value database, generally referred to as a key-value retailer, is a non-relational database that shops information utilizing a easy key-value method. It shops, retrieves, and maintains associative arrays as a dictionary. Dictionaries comprise objects or information with many various fields that retailer information.

Keys and values could be something, from fundamental to classy compound objects. Key-value databases are extremely partitionable and allow horizontal scaling that different sorts of databases can’t.

When do you have to select a key-value database?

• When your utility manages many small steady reads and writes, a key-value database could be unstable. It offers fast in-memory entry.
• When preserving important information, equivalent to shopper data, storing web sites with the URL as the important thing and the webpage as the worth, and storing shopping-cart contents, product classes, and e-commerce product particulars.
• For applications that do not must be up to date continuously or deal with subtle queries

The checklist beneath accommodates actual consumer critiques of the most effective free key-value database options available on the market. To be included on this checklist, software program have to be free and:

• Supply information storage
• Retailer and construction information as a singular worth mapped to a key
• Let customers retrieve information

*This checklist relies on G2 information collected in 2024. Some critiques might have been edited for readability.

1. ScyllaDB

ScyllaDB is an open-source distributed NoSQL database. It was created to work with Apache Cassandra whereas delivering a lot higher throughputs and diminished latencies. It helps the identical protocols and file codecs as Cassandra however is a totally rewritten implementation with the C++20 language.

What customers like greatest: 

“We have now been using ScyllaDB for a very long time now. It’s a dependable and extremely out there NoSQL DB on account of its replication. Making certain that the info stays there even after a number of nodes fail.

Our in-house workforce obtained an ideal assist from ScyllaDB help whereas implementing the DB because of its supportability with CQL. Finest instance of information consistency, reliability and efficiency.”

– ScyllaDB Evaluate, Chanchala B.

What customers dislike: 

“The setup and configuration complexity of ScyllaDB, which could be troublesome for novices. Moreover, the documentation generally lacks readability for superior options.”

– ScyllaDB Evaluate, Riya V. 

2. Couchbase

Couchbase is a distributed, NoSQL database that excels at storing and retrieving information in a key-value format. As a key-value database, Couchbase is optimized for quick information entry and excessive throughput, making it perfect for functions that require speedy efficiency and scalability.

What customers like greatest: 

“It is fairly quick, indexing and all could be accomplished with only one line and it makes the queries execute 100 occasions sooner. And the most effective factor I discover is the documentation. Many occasions I come throughout a brand new use case and am unable to implement it. Then I search for that within the documentation and discover all of the solutions to all of the use circumstances I had. Would not carry out nicely when information will increase, a number of occasions I get ambiguous timeout exceptions. Couchbase UI can also be very simple to make use of.”

– Couchbase Evaluate, Amit P.

What customers dislike: 

“I used to be utilizing it with Spring Webflux that’s reactive, so whereas processing information, the load on couchbase goes very excessive and operations begin failing. Would like to see some inbuilt help on this to deal with visitors correctly.”

– Couchbase Evaluate, Amit P.

3. Aerospike 

Aerospike is a cloud-based, on-premise NoSQL database platform that permits e-commerce, retail, on-line gaming, telecoms, and promoting firms to simplify multi-site clustering, cross datacenter replication, and cargo balancing, amongst different processes, on a single platform. It protects information with encryption, authentication, role-based entry controls, and web site whitelisting.

What customers like greatest: 

“Aerospike helps retailer information as cached and the database with full XDR performance. It is a wonderful database by combining the facility of Redis and SQL compliant queries.”

– Aerospike Evaluate, Imran Okay.

What customers dislike: 

“Aerospike could be tough to dimension the cluster, though help is useful.”

– Aerospike Evaluate, Ido B.

Comparability of the most effective free database software program

If you happen to really feel overwhelmed by the wealth of details about free database software program options, this comparability desk will assist you with all of the important facets:

Software program identify	G2 score	Free plan	Paid plan
IBM Db2	4.1/5	Accessible, restricted options	From $99 per 30 days
Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)	4.5/5	Accessible, restricted options	Customized pricing
Maria DB	4.4/5	Accessible	Open-source software program
Couchbase	4.3/5	Free-trial out there	From $0.15 per hour per node
ArangoDB	4.6/5	Accessible, restricted options	Customized pricing
MarkLogic	4.3/5	Accessible, restricted options	Customized pricing
Neo4j	4.5/5	Accessible, restricted options	From $65/month onwards
Dgraph	4.7/5	Free open-source plan	From $39.99 per 30 days
InterSystems IRIS	4.5/5	Accessible, restricted options	Customized pricing
InterSystems Caché	4.3/5	Free-trial out there	Customized pricing
ScyllaDB	4.5/5	Accessible, restricted options	Customized pricing
Aerospike	4.4/5	Free-trial out there	From $1.20 onward

Regularly requested questions on free database software program

Q. How do I select the proper free database software program for my wants?

Think about components like the kind of information you will retailer, the dimensions of your dataset, required efficiency, scalability, desired options, and your workforce’s technical experience.

Q. Can I scale a free database to deal with rising information volumes? 

Many free database software program choices supply scalability options, permitting you to deal with growing information masses. Nonetheless, the particular scaling capabilities range between totally different software program.

We hope this checklist of the most effective free database software program takes you one step nearer to discovering the proper answer!

Q. Can I combine my free database software program with my present functions or instruments? 

Whereas many free database software program choices supply fundamental integration capabilities, complete integrations is likely to be restricted. It is important to examine the particular software program compatibility together with your present instruments.

Q. What are the important thing variations between open-source and cloud-based free database choices? 

Open-source databases supply flexibility and customization however require extra infrastructure administration. Cloud-based choices deal with infrastructure, however you might need limitations by way of information management and prices. Think about your workforce’s technical experience and desired stage of management when making a selection.

Q. Can I simply migrate information from my present database system to a free database software program?

Knowledge migration complexity depends upon the supply and goal database programs. Some free database software program supply migration instruments or utilities, however guide information transformation is likely to be obligatory. Think about the effort and time required for information migration when making a call.

So many selections, so little time

A number of database administration software program selections can suit your database administration necessities. Different sorts of comparable software program can be found for numerous costs, working platforms, and particular wants. Choose the one which greatest meets your wants.

An excellent database serves as the muse for a large number of enterprise functions. Find out how database administration can help your information administration technique.

This text was initially revealed in 2023. It has been up to date with new data.