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Best Sql Databases in 2026

HSQLDB leads this list of 23 (9.2/10, free plan). MySQL is next (8.9/10, free plan), and SingleStore Helios is the next highest-placed option with a free plan (8.7/10). SQL databases store structured records and let applications read or change them with SQL. This list helps you compare database options before choosing one for an application or service.

  1. 01 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
    9.2 Visit Specs
  2. 02 MySQL
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · API
    8.9 Visit Specs
  3. 03 SingleStore Helios

    Helios may suit teams running transactional and analytical workloads together or working with varied data types.

    From $0.99/mo Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.7 Visit Specs
  4. 04 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
    8.7 Visit Specs
  5. 05 CockroachDB Cloud

    CockroachDB Cloud suits teams building relational applications that need managed operations, horizontal scaling, or deployments across cloud providers and regions.

    From $0.06/mo Free plan Web · Linux · API
    8.6 Visit Specs
  6. 06 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
    8.5 Visit Specs
  7. 07 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
    8.5 Visit Specs
  8. 08 TiDB Cloud

    TiDB Cloud suits teams seeking a managed MySQL-compatible distributed SQL database for transactional and analytical workloads.

    Free plan Open source Web · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    8.5 Visit Specs
  9. 09 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
  10. 10 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
  11. 11 H2 Database Engine

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

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.1 Visit Specs
  12. 12 Amazon Aurora
    Free plan API
    8.0 Visit Specs
  13. 13 MariaDB Server
    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    8.0 Visit Specs
  14. 14 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
  15. 15 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
  16. 16 IBM Informix
    Free plan Windows · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    7.9 Visit Specs
  17. 17 Mimer SQL Mobile
    Free trial Windows · Linux · Android · API
    7.8 Visit Specs
  18. 18 PostgreSQL

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

    Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted
    7.7 Visit Specs
  19. 19 YugabyteDB Anywhere

    YBA is for teams managing YugabyteDB deployments across on-premises infrastructure, cloud providers, or Kubernetes.

    Free plan Web · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    7.4 Visit Specs
  20. 20 SAP Extended Enterprise Content Management by OpenText
    Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.2 Visit Specs
  21. 21 Actian Ingres
    Windows · Linux
    6.1 Visit Specs
  22. 22 Percona Server for MySQL
    Linux
    5.4 Visit Specs
  23. 23 SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (SAP ASE)
    Windows · Linux
    5.4 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).

Check SQL standard support, included storage, replication, managed backups and availability SLA. Also compare deployment options, platforms, free plans, trials and paid pricing.

Compare HSQLDB and MySQL Get a place on this list

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