The use of open source databases has increased steadily in recent years. Past trepidation — about perceived vulnerabilities and performance issues — has faded as decision makers realize what an “open source database” really is and what it offers.
This comprehensive overview examines open source database architecture, types, pros and cons, uses by industry, and how open source databases compare with proprietary databases. This guide also covers key factors to consider when selecting the right open source database for your organization.
1. What is an open source database?
In simple terms, an open source database is this: It’s a database with source code that is free and available to all. Public accessibility enables and allows users to download, modify, and distribute the code.
Still speaking generally, open source databases do this: They give businesses and organizations of all sizes a cost-effective, flexible alternative to proprietary commercial databases. And contrary to past misperceptions, “open source” is not synonymous with risk. In fact, the opposite is true, thanks to an active and vibrant global community of developers who work continuously to improve open source software. Their work produces higher-quality code and enables faster innovation, while maintaining high security standards.
Further, open source databases can be modified in infinite ways, enabling institutions to meet their specific needs for data storage, retrieval, and processing. Depending on those needs, an organization can choose between relational and nonrelational open source databases. Here’s a basic explanation of the differences:
- Relational databases: Key-value pairs are used to store structured data into tables consisting of columns and rows. Relational databases — which include MySQL, PostgreSQL, and many others — are the most commonly used open source databases. They’re often preferred for storing and processing business intelligence data by organizations that require fast SQL queries.
- Non-relational databases: Instead of tables, non-relational (NoSQL) databases use document-based data storage, column-oriented storage, and graph databases. Non-relational databases — which include MongoDB, Apache Cassandra, and others — are favored for storing and processing unstructured data. For example, an analytics application would work best with unstructured image files stored in a non-relational graph database.
Closed source database vs. open source database
With closed source (proprietary) database software, the public does not have access to the source code; only the company that owns it and those given access can modify it. With open source database software, anyone in the general public can access the source code, read it, and modify it.
2. Advantages of open source databases for your organization
Developers, DBAs, and other decision makers are discovering the advantages of open source databases over proprietary commercial databases. Those advantages include:
Lower costs
Open source database software is free to download. There are no licensing or purchasing fees for reusing, modifying, or distributing the software. That’s in contrast to the annual licensing fees that commercial vendors charge. With open source databases, users have the freedom to modify and distribute the code as needed, reducing the overall cost of ownership.
No vendor lock-in
Open source software is free of proprietary restrictions that can come with vendor lock-in. Developers can customize the source code and try new applications without a big budget hit. Companies can more easily scale infrastructure — up or down — to meet economic conditions and changing business objectives.
Relying on one vendor can address immediate concerns, reduce complexity, and provide a secure database. But vendor lock-in can occur, making a company susceptible to price hikes, paying for unnecessary technology, and being blocked from new technology that could be advantageous. With open source software, a business is not trapped into using one provider’s software, support, or services. Instead, the business may design and redesign systems as customer expectations change and business objectives evolve.
Faster innovation
Without prohibitive contracts and lengthy procurement processes, open source enables developers and DBAs to customize the source code and create new applications for addressing evolving needs. Plus, there’s a global community of dedicated volunteers driving the development of open source database technology. Open source standards and community support enable developers and DBAs to focus on accelerating feature creation and on enhancing availability, performance, scalability, and security.
Quality control
The dedication of a mission-driven open source community also bolsters quality control. The community spans expertise and industries, which puts multitudes of eyes and fresh perspectives into the review and improvement of code. Bugs and security vulnerabilities are identified more quickly. The open source model can result in more robust and reliable database solutions.
Data portability
Open source freedom enables an organization to deploy databases anywhere and move them at any time — to cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments. Free of licensing restrictions, developers may access and modify the code. It’s important to note that moving applications to the public cloud doesn’t necessarily eliminate data lock-in. Cloud providers can charge high egress fees that impede such movement, and the more data in the cloud, the more your applications must be cloud-based. With open source, organizations can move databases without paying penalties.
3. Popular open source database software
There are options for businesses and organizations that seek open source database software to best fit workloads and objectives. Those options include: relational databases, which contain data with predefined relationships, organized as a set of tables with columns and rows; and non-relational (or NoSQL) databases, which store data in non-tabular form and are based on data structures like documents. Here are some of the most widely used databases:
MySQL
MySQL — the SQL part stands for Structured Query Language — is one of the most popular open source relational databases. It is widely used for web applications, data warehousing, and online transaction processing. MySQL’s popularity is attributable to many factors: It’s a solid, quick, and dependable system; MySQL does not have a steep learning curve; it’s compatible with almost every operating system (OS) a DBA or developer will use; and the MySQL environment is conducive to scalability.
MariaDB
MariaDB, a fork of MySQL known for its reliability and stability, offers many of the same features and capabilities as MySQL. Created as a response to concerns about the future of MySQL, MariaDB is an alternative for those looking for a high-performance, open source relational database. MariaDB uses storage engines that give it a speed boost and enable users to implement distributed storage and distributed transactions. Additionally, it enables dynamic rows for table columns, which bolsters flexibility. Like MySQL, MariaDB is widely used for web and mobile applications, as well as for data warehousing and data analysis.
Percona Server for MySQL
Percona Server for MySQL, a drop-in replacement for MySQL, is also a high-performance, open source relational database option. It includes enterprise-grade features, including: advanced, fully enabled external authentication, audit logging, and threadpool scalability. (Threadpool in Percona Server for MySQL enables scaling of up to more than 10,000 connections per server.) Percona Server for MySQL includes a transactional storage engine for MySQL optimized for higher data compression and cost-efficient operation in the cloud and for IoT applications. Percona Server for MySQL is widely used for web and mobile applications, as well as for data warehousing and data analysis. It’s a favored tool for online transaction processing.
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL, a non-relational database system, has rapidly gained in popularity among professional developers. StackOverflow statistics show that 26% of developers preferred it in 2017, 34% in 2019, and 40% in 2021. Most recently, in StackOverflow’s 2022 Stack Developer Survey, PostgreSQL took a slight lead over MySQL (46.48% to 45.68%) as the most popular database platform among professional developers.
PostgreSQL is favored strongly for its complex data analysis, data science, graphing, and AI-related capabilities. PostgreSQL is known for powerful and advanced features, including asynchronous replication, full-text searches of the database, and native support for JSON-style storage, key-value storage, and XML. PostgreSQL is also highly extensible, enabling users to add custom functionality through plug-ins and extensions.
MongoDB
MongoDB is a popular source-available* non-relational (NoSQL) database. It stores data in documents and collections, a design ideal for handling large amounts of unstructured data. Known for performance and scalability, it’s often used for high volumes of data and for real-time web applications.
* Whereas many open source software offerings — like the community version of MySQL — use the GPL license, MongoDB has been under the AGPL license and more recently under the SSPL license (introduced by MongoDB itself). Many open source proponents, including the Open Source Initiative, do not consider software under SSPL to be open source.
4. Comparison of open source databases
This section provides one-on-one comparisons of popular open source database software. The intent is not to pick winners, but to identify similarities and differences.
MySQL vs. PostgreSQL
MySQL is a relational database management system with typical RDBMS features, including tables, views, foreign keys, and stored procedures. It’s well-suited for most online transaction processing (OLTP) workloads and works with some online analytical processing (OLAP) workloads. MySQL is especially effective with standard relational schemas and web-based workloads. Simple asynchronous replication allows for easy read-scaling and report query offloading. Synchronous replication supports high availability. MySQL is used commonly by businesses that host web-based transactions — i.e. banking, shopping, ordering, and registering. MySQL ranks as the second most popular database management system (DB-Engines, March 2023).
PostgreSQL is an object-relational database management system (ORDBMS) with all the standard RDBMS features plus support for complex objects, table inheritance, and additional data types beyond JSON. Those additions allow PostgreSQL to support workloads and schema designs that are more complex. PostgreSQL has similar replication to that of MySQL for building out architectures. Being a more advanced database management system, PostgreSQL is well-suited for performing complex queries in a large environment quickly. Because it readily supports failover and full redundancy, it’s often preferred by financial institutions and manufacturers. It’s also preferred for use with geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial data. PostgreSQL ranks as the fourth most popular database management system (DB-Engines, March 2023).
MySQL vs. MariaDB vs. Percona Server for MySQL
MySQL, released in 1995, was acquired by Oracle in 2010. It’s an open source system, but there’s also proprietary code and a “premium” version available for paid users. Capable of handling a large volume of data, it Is the most commonly used system of storing, retrieving, and displaying data, and it’s used for millions of websites worldwide. Built-in data masking and dynamic columns make MySQL secure and fast. Due to its simple design and multiple storage engines, MySQL can deliver performant databases and continuous uptime. MySQL is a popular solution for designing database systems for eCommerce stores. As stated above, MySQL ranks as the second most popular database management system (DB-Engines, March 2023).
MariaDB was developed as a “fork” of MySQL soon after Oracle’s acquisition of MySQL. Like MySQL, MariaDB is an open source RDBMS. Similar in architecture and capabilities, MariaDB is a drop-in replacement for MySQL. MariaDB is compatible with older versions of itself (backward compatible), a helpful feature with the software being constantly updated by the community. Also, now with a dynamic threadpool that enables retirement of inactive threads, MariaDB has improved speed, enhanced replication, and faster updates. It is used to work with the same types of applications as those of MySQL. MariaDB Operator is not enterprise-ready, but MariaDB offers SkySQL DBaaS. MariaDB ranks as the 13th most popular database management system (DB-Engines, March 2023).
Percona Server for MySQL is an “upstream” version of MySQL, as opposed to having been a “fork” of MySQL like MariaDB. That means Percona’s offering stays more in line with the flow of MySQL developments and can be accommodating to changes and seamless migration regardless of when a migration occurs. The MariaDB “fork,” on the other hand, occurred at a point-in-time and has deviated more. Another big difference for the customer is that whereas MariaDB tends to push the proprietary version to make advanced features available, Percona Server for MySQL offers enterprise-grade features upfront, including advanced security, optimized performance, greater scalability, enhanced backups, and increased visibility without additional costs. As with MariaDB, to get those advanced features with MySQL, customers must pay for the proprietary MySQL Enterprise Edition. The Enterprise versions of MariaDB and MySQL come with lock-in that can hinder scalability and create escalating costs. There is no such lock-in with Percona Server for MySQL. Additionally, Percona offers Percona Kubernetes Operators for MySQL, which includes backup/restore, high availability, replication, and logging features for MySQL. Conversely, MariaDB offers SkySQL DBaaS, which is distributed under proprietary licensing and prevents customers from moving data freely.
MongoDB vs. Apache Cassandra
MongoDB is a non-relational (NoSQL) source-available database program that stores data in JSON-like documents with optional schemas. It’s highly scalable and ideal for real-time analytics and high-speed logging. MongoDB is a preferred system for analyzing data because documents are easily shared across multiple nodes, and because of its indexing, query-on-demand, and real-time aggregation capabilities. MongoDB replica sets enable data redundancy and automatic failover, setting the stage for high availability. MongoDB also provides strong encryption and firewall security. MongoDB requires substantial storage space. MongoDB is preferable for working with content management systems, mobile apps, and real-time analytics.
MongoDB is popular across industries — an enlyft survey of 90,240 companies using MongoDB listed the leading uses as Technology and Services (23%), Computer Software (16%), and Internet (6%). MongoDB ranks as the fifth most popular database management system and is No. 1 among non-relational systems (DB-Engines, March 2023).
Apache Cassandra is an open source distributed NoSQL database that also offers high scalability and availability. It manages unstructured data with thousands of writes every second. Fault tolerance and linear scalability make Cassandra popular for handling mission-critical data. But because it handles large amounts of data and multiple requests, transactions can be slower and there can be memory management issues. Apache Cassandra, with users across industries, ranks as the 12th most popular database management system (DB-Engines, March 2023).
5. Open source databases in action — by industry
Increasingly, organizations across industries are turning to open source solutions. DB Engines statistics (March 2023), in fact, show open source database management systems outranking commercial systems in both use and popularity. Organizations are making the move because open source provides flexibility, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and other attributes underdeveloped or missing in proprietary database offerings. Here are examples of how different organizations are using open source databases to meet industry-specific needs:
E-commerce
Open source databases are widely used for managing customer data, purchases, and other transactions, as well as inventory. With open source databases, e-commerce companies can process large amounts of data in real time. Open source solutions provide tools for ensuring high availability and maintaining performant applications, both of which are especially essential at peak shopping times.
Healthcare
Strong security features make open source databases a logical choice for offices and institutions in which the vast majority of information is private. At the same time, open source gives authorized medical and mental health professionals reliable means of accessing and analyzing patient data. With health and lives at stake, such access cannot be compromised.
Government
Agencies at all levels of government — local, regional, and national — use databases to provide services, conduct research, regulate industries, monitor environmental and personal well-being, improve infrastructure, protect citizens, and a lot more. With governments, maintaining highly resilient and available databases can be mission-critical, literally. Open source meets those essential needs, while delivering cost-effectiveness and scalability sought by agencies on limited budgets.
Nonprofit organizations
Groups ranging from charities to educational institutions to churches use open source databases to track and manage donor information, identify deficiencies and needs, and organize volunteer activities. The flexible and customizable features of open source databases empower nonprofits — perpetually on limited budgets — to do more with less.
Financial services
Banks, investment firms, payment services, and other financial institutions use open source databases to enable, track, and process customer transactions, ensure regulatory compliance, and perform risk assessments. Open source financial services databases provide the tools financial institutions need to build and provide highly resilient fintech products and services that satisfy the two disparate yet equally demanding groups referenced above: customers and regulatory agencies. The result is systems that can support real-time transactions, handle large amounts of data, and keep information secure.
High-tech/software companies
Open source databases are used by high-tech and software companies to manage customer data, track sales, organize projects, and develop products. With their flexible and scalable architecture, open source databases are a popular choice for companies looking to streamline operations, support growth, and facilitate innovation. Open source enables software developers to collaborate with others in the global community.
6. The database debate: open source vs. proprietary
In simple terms, open source software is free and available; anyone may access, use, and modify the code. With proprietary software, users cannot change the code; only the software owner/provider can do that. Each has merits and downsides.
Proprietary database software
Proprietary software can be beneficial for addressing immediate and/or focused database concerns. Sometimes a vendor will have an innovative way of solving a problem when there aren’t alternatives available on the market. A company will enter a relationship with that vendor because the vendor’s solution addresses present business objectives. Additionally, a single-vendor relationship can eliminate complexity; the vendor’s solution simplifies the environment and ensures that all components work together. Support is simplified, too; the vendor provides a single-point-of-contact for addressing problems.
However, proprietary software can limit creative options and the ability to scale, and it can increasingly draw from a customer’s tech budget. As business objectives change, along with industry standards and technological advances, a customer can be stuck with software and upgrades that make more sense for the vendor’s bottom line than for addressing the customer’s changing needs. For example, the vendor might push a cloud-based solution when the customer prefers to keep its infrastructure on-premises. Being stuck with a single vendor and its software can result in vendor lock-in that makes you susceptible to price hikes, paying for bundled technology with components you don’t need, and an inability to change software and infrastructure to meet unique business needs.
Open source database software
Software that is truly open source is free to download. There are no licensing or purchasing fees for reusing, modifying, or distributing the software. Beyond cost-efficiency, the software itself is on par with, and sometimes better than, commercial options. Free of proprietary restrictions that can come with vendor lock-in, developers can customize the source code and try new applications without a big budget hit. Companies can more easily scale infrastructure — up or down — to meet economic conditions and changing business objectives. And there are strong, passionate online open source communities that can be a useful resource if challenges arise. Additionally, with open source, companies can deploy their databases anywhere — in cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments — and move them at any time.
A lack of readily available support, however, can offset the potential savings of open source database software. Further, without the right built-in protections, open source databases can be more vulnerable than those of proprietary software. To achieve database objectives across the enterprise, a company that uses open source software often must either bolster its on-staff expertise or turn to third-party support. Either option can be costly.
Open source database software with enterprise-grade features
Open source database software with enterprise-grade features can deliver the best of both worlds — the cost-efficiency and scalability of open source coupled with the simplicity (task-focused), cohesiveness (components work together), and security of proprietary software. (A Red Hat survey showed that 89% of IT leaders see enterprise open source software as equally or more secure than proprietary software.) With the right extensions and add-ons to make it enterprise-grade, an open source solution can replicate the applications a company uses and can handle the performance requirements of the company’s most critical workloads. A flexible, open source enterprise setup enables deployment and operation on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid environment.
The phrase “enterprise-grade” is used a lot; few vendors provide true enterprise-grade open source software. Enterprise-level integration, productivity, scalability, and security must be included. And even when it’s all there, enterprise-grade software, like community versions, might still require some level of support. When seeking such support, it’s important to find a vendor that provides multi-database support, technology-agnostic expertise, and a flexible contract.
7. Choosing the right open source database for your organization
With so many open source databases to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your organization. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing an open source database:
Functionality
Different open source databases are more suited for processing customer transactions, others for business analysis, and others for tracking assets and inventory. That’s just a sampling of general uses. But it’s important to consider how your business or organization uses data, and to select the database that provides the features, capabilities, and complexity that best support your activities and meet your objectives.
Scalability
You want to make sure that your database can grow along with the organization. Can your database store, retrieve, and process increasing amounts of data? Can it meet greater customer expectations and evolving compliance requirements? What about support for high availability and disaster recovery? You also should consider whether you might want to scale down your infrastructure amid challenging economic conditions.
Community support
Open source software can amount to big savings, but not if you’re hit by slowdowns, shutdowns, or security breaches. In addition to strengthening and securing code available to all, a strong and active community can provide valuable resources, including tutorials, forums, and documentation for solving technical issues and maintaining performant operations.
Cost
The software code is typically free to use and modify, but there are often costs associated with implementation, maintenance, and support of an open source database. It’s important to consider these costs when choosing an open source database and to factor them into your budget and long-term plans.
Technical skills
Finally, consider the technical skills and resources you have available in-house. Implementing and maintaining an open source database can require a significant investment of time and resources, so it’s important to choose a database that aligns with your existing technical skills and resources, with staff additions you’re willing to make, or with your willingness to seek outside help.
Enterprise-grade open source software and support from Percona
When you’re choosing a database, consider Percona. We’re dedicated to making databases and applications run better through a combination of expertise and open source software. Our enterprise-grade software includes the following:
- Percona Server for MySQL: This single solution delivers optimized performance, greater scalability and availability, and enhanced backups — for even the most demanding workloads.
- Percona Distribution for PostgreSQL: Put the best and most critical enterprise components from the open source community to work for you — in a single distribution, designed and tested to work together.
- Percona Server for MongoDB: Ensure data availability while improving security and simplifying the development of new applications — in the most demanding public, private, and hybrid cloud environments.
Percona backs its enterprise-grade distributions with varying levels of support. We’ll provide support that best fits the needs of your company or organization — without a restrictive contract.
Thanks for the brief info on databases and their usage for various purposes in different industries.
Nice article, thanks!
This part caught my attention:
It is used to work with the same types of applications as those of MySQL but can handle larger volumes of data. For instance, a company with an eCommerce store that must process exceptionally large volumes of data might opt for MariaDB.
How does MariaDB achieve that? Can you give me some pointers to learn more about it?