What are the top 5 MySQL alternatives?

MySQL is one of the most successful and popular relational databases within the management system segment. While MySQL boasts diverse application possibilities, if you want to operate without table structures, you’ll need an alternative. Here, we’ll show you what the best options are.

What is MySQL and which alternatives are there?

MySQL is one of the best-known and most popular relational database systems in the world. Originally developed by MySQL AB in 1994, the open-source software is now offered by Oracle under the GNU license. A proprietary version is available as well.

MySQL organizes structured data in tables and facilitates queries using SQL. Renowned for its user-friendly interface, it excels in managing substantial volumes of data. Despite its relational nature, MySQL easily integrates with NoSQL systems making it highly flexible. Notable features include its high availability and reliability along with its compatibility across a variety of systems, languages and platforms.

MySQL also benefits from a large and dedicated community, making it an appealing choice for newcomers. The database is part of the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP) and is used for numerous web applications.

Nevertheless, there are also arguments against using the database, in particular, its relational approach to data management. It has no sharding options, making it less scalable than other database management systems. With MySQL, data also needs to be stored in table format and according to a fixed schema. While effective for structured data, it may not accommodate heterogeneous data types as efficiently as NoSQL solutions. Below are the top alternatives to MySQL.

MongoDB: A flexible system for large data volumes

When you need a suitable NoSQL solution for your project that’s more flexible and more scalable than MySQL, MongoDB is a good choice. Created in 2009, the database management system works in a document-oriented manner and does away with rigid schemas. It stores structured, semi-structured and unstructured data in binary JSON documents, organizing them into collections.

Utilizing sharding, it distributes data across different nodes, enhancing availability and reliability. The database’s horizontal scaling capability enables it to accommodate growing data volumes effectively. This renders MongoDB an ideal, cost-effective choice for web applications, content management systems and eCommerce projects.

The benefits of MongoDB at a glance

• Perfect for large and growing data volumes thanks to horizontal scaling
• High reliability and availability due to sharding
• Suitable for almost all types of data
• Very flexible
• Compatible with numerous languages, systems and platforms
• Flat learning curve
• Simple replication

To find out more about the differences and similarities between MongoDB and MySQL, check out the article on the two database systems in our Digital Guide.

DynamoDB: The most user-friendly solution

If user-friendliness is a priority and you’re ready to delegate key administrative tasks to a provider, DynamoDB may be the right MySQL alternative for you. Developed by Amazon and a part of AWS, DynamoDB is a fully managed serverless system. With automatic monitoring, upgrades and scaling, you can focus on your core competencies.

In principle, the system is infinitely scalable. It also boasts high read and write speeds. With billing based on actual resource consumption, DynamoDB offers cost benefits for businesses of all sizes.

The benefits of DynamoDB at a glance

• Fully managed and very user-friendly
• Very scalable
• Payment according to consumption
• High read and write speeds
• High security standards
• Embedded in the Amazon Web Services
• Strong performance
• Good availability

Firebase: The ideal solution for developing applications

Firebase has been part of Google’s portfolio since the company acquired and expanded it in 2014. It encompasses a robust development platform with 18 products, some of which are fee-based.

Firebase is particularly suitable for the development of web applications and mobile apps. It leverages various Google services and benefits from the tech giant’s market power in the SEO sector. Beyond that, it boasts strong performance and minimal latencies. This highly available and fail-safe database excels in projects demanding real-time analysis.

The benefits of Firebase at a glance

• High speeds
• Very fail-safe
• Complete development platform with 18 services
• Good integration into the Google ecosystem
• Successful cloud connection
• Fast and competent support
• Ideal for mobile apps
• Cross-platform compatibility

Redis: The fastest alternative to MySQL

For lightning-fast response times, consider Redis, short for Remote Dictionary Server. This open-source system stores data directly in main memory, enabling real-time performance with latencies of less than one millisecond.

Outpacing MySQL, Redis works across platforms, doesn’t rely on its own query language and scales horizontally and vertically. Supporting various data types, it’s widely favored for real-time analysis, administrative tasks and messaging, making it one of the top choices in these domains.

The benefits of Redis at a glance

• Open source
• Unsurpassed speed due to storage in working memory
• Real-time analysis and sub-millisecond responses
• Horizontally and vertically scalable
• High user-friendliness
• Popular system with extensive documentation
• Flexible data processing
• High compatibility with different languages, platforms and systems

PostgreSQL: The robust object-relational database

In the realm of relational databases, PostgreSQL stands out as a formidable alternative to MySQL. Originating from programs developed in the 1980s, this object-relational database management system took on its current name in 1996. Renowned for reliability and impressive performance, PostgreSQL builds upon classic SQL for more targeted scaling.

Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization through numerous extensions. It’s known to be particularly reliable and offers impressive performance. For structured data storage, PostgreSQL presents a compelling choice.

The benefits of PostgreSQL at a glance

• Open source
• Very robust and secure
• Strong performance
• Many extensions
• Many scaling options
• Dedicated community
• High flexibility
• Many interfaces
• Versatile use

Find out all you need to know about PostgreSQL in our Digital Guide.