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Best Relational Databases in 2026

Relational databases give applications a structured way to store and work with data. Compare deployment model and managed-service availability to understand how each option fits your operations, then consider backup retention, high availability and read replicas when planning for continuity.

  1. 01 Aiven for PostgreSQL

    The free tier is positioned for learning and prototypes, while Developer is for test and personal projects.

    From $5/mo Free plan Open source Web · API · Self-hosted
    9.3 Visit Specs
  2. 02 HSQLDB

    HSQLDB suits developers and organizations that can run a Java database themselves and need embedded or server modes.

    From $8.33/mo Free plan Open source Windows · macOS · Linux · API
    9.1 Visit Specs
  3. 03 Azure SQL Database

    Azure SQL Database suits application teams seeking a managed relational database with T-SQL access and integrations across Azure services.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.9 Visit Specs
  4. 04 MySQL
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · API
    8.9 Visit Specs
  5. 05 Amazon RDS
    Free plan Web · API · Self-hosted
    8.8 Visit Specs
  6. 06 SQLite

    SQLite suits applications needing local database storage where writer concurrency is low and content is less than a terabyte.

    From $12.50/mo Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.6 Visit Specs
  7. 07 Actian Zen

    Zen suits teams needing an embedded database across edge, mobile, on-premises, or cloud environments.

    Free trial Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS
    8.4 Visit Specs
  8. 08 Firebird

    Firebird suits teams that want a self-hosted relational database with multiple deployment architectures and broad driver options.

    From €199/mo Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    8.4 Visit Specs
  9. 09 Google Cloud SQL

    Cloud SQL suits teams that need managed relational databases and integrations across Google Cloud or other listed tools.

    From $0.04/mo Free trial Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.4 Visit Specs
  10. 10 IBM Db2

    Db2 suits enterprise applications, AI assistants, cloud-native data-intensive applications, and CRM or ERP systems.

    From $630/mo Free plan Web · Windows · Linux · API
    8.4 Visit Specs
  11. 11 Crunchy Bridge
    From $9/mo Free trial Web · Linux · API
    8.3 Visit Specs
  12. 12 ALTIBASE

    A+ Edition is intended for startups, developers, and students using the database for development, testing, or education.

    Free plan Linux · Self-hosted
    8.1 Visit Specs
  13. 13 Amazon Aurora
    Free plan API
    8.1 Visit Specs
  14. 14 InterSystems IRIS

    InterSystems IRIS is positioned for data-intensive, mission-critical applications.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.1 Visit Specs
  15. 15 H2 Database Engine

    H2 suits developers needing a free Java SQL database with embedded or server deployment.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.0 Visit Specs
  16. 16 MariaDB Server
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    8.0 Visit Specs
  17. 17 Microsoft SQL Server

    Express is presented for learning and desktop or small server applications.

    Free plan Windows · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    8.0 Visit Specs
  18. 18 Neon

    Neon suits teams building relational applications that want managed PostgreSQL, workload-based compute, and database branching.

    From $0.11/mo Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.0 Visit Specs
  19. 19 CUBRID

    CUBRID suits teams needing a self-hosted database with transaction controls, backup and recovery choices, multiple language interfaces, and optional high availability.

    Free plan Windows · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    7.9 Visit Specs
  20. 20 Matisse
    Free trial Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.9 Visit Specs
  21. 21 DigitalOcean Managed Databases
    From $15/mo Web · API
    7.8 Visit Specs
  22. 22 Oracle Database
    Free plan Self-hosted
    7.7 Visit Specs
  23. 23 PostgreSQL

    It suits developers building applications and administrators who need data integrity or fault-tolerant environments.

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.6 Visit Specs
  24. 24 Heroku
    From $5/mo Web · API
    7.5 Visit Specs
  25. 25 openGauss
    Free plan Windows · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.5 Visit Specs
How this list is ordered. Specifiction scores each tool on how fully its maker documents it, whether its prices are published, where the research puts it, the platforms it runs on and whether it can be tried for free (how we rank). Makers can also buy a numbered place (how Specifiction is paid for).

Maximum connections and JSON data support add details relevant to workload and data shape. MySQL, SQLite and InterSystems IRIS illustrate the range of names among these entries. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing let you weigh costs alongside the listed technical and operational details.

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