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HammerDB

hammerdb.com

Free plan WebWindowsLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.0 #15 of 38 in Performance Testing Software

What it is

HammerDB is a free database benchmarking application for running workloads across SQL Server, Db2, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MySQL and VillageSQL. It offers graphical, command-line, web and automation interfaces, with Windows and Linux builds, a Docker image and on-premise deployment. Version 6.0 adds CI and pipeline capabilities for MariaDB, MySQL and PostgreSQL, covering schema sizing, workload execution and result capture. It reports I/O measures such as IOPS and MB/s and provides Active Session History viewers for MySQL and MariaDB. Timing profiles use reservoir sampling and extended percentile reporting to compare response-time distributions. Users can upload benchmark artifacts containing workload results, database versions, metrics and system metadata. The web service can run as an SCGI application behind a web server or automation gateway. HammerDB is released under the GNU General Public License Version 3. Automated workflows may require compilers, database dependencies, libraries and operating-system tools.

Spec sheet

Purpose
HammerDB is a database benchmarking application for running workloads across SQL Server, Db2, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MySQL and VillageSQL.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Intended users
The documentation describes CI and pipeline automation as an advanced capability for users automating database builds and benchmark workflows.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Platforms
The official version 6.0 downloads include Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and Ubuntu 24.04 builds, source archives and a Docker image; Linux packages include x86-64 and ARM64 variants.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Support
First-level support is available through the documentation; further support through GitHub requires a GitHub account, with questions handled in Discussions and bugs or feature requests in Issues.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
License
HammerDB is released under the GNU General Public License Version 3.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Automation requirements
Automated workflows may require a compiler, database build dependencies, client and runtime libraries, and operating-system tools for the selected database and workload.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Interfaces
HammerDB supports graphical, command-line, web and automation interfaces.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Metrics
Version 6.0 includes I/O metrics such as IOPS and MB/s, plus Active Session History viewers for MySQL and MariaDB.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Performance profiles
Timing profiles support reservoir sampling and extended percentile reporting for comparing response-time distributions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Result sharing
Users can upload benchmark result artifacts with workload results, database versions, metrics and system metadata for publication or review.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Security and compliance
The maker's About & Support page identifies the GPL Version 3 license and does not state a security certification or compliance standard.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Upgrade note
Users upgrading from version 5.0 are instructed to remove existing HammerDB persistent configuration database files before first starting version 6.0.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Web service
The web service can run as an SCGI application for deployment behind a web server or automation gateway.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com
Workload automation
Version 6.0 adds CI and pipeline capabilities for MariaDB, MySQL and PostgreSQL, including schema sizing, workload execution and result capture.Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com

Plans and prices

HammerDB Free Free and open source; GNU General Public License Version 3 Database benchmarking · Windows and Linux builds · Docker image Read 9 Oct 2026 · hammerdb.com

Every HammerDB plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan and open-source GPL Version 3 license
  • Supports seven listed database systems
  • Graphical, command-line, web and automation interfaces
  • CI pipelines capture workload results
  • Reports IOPS, MB/s and percentile profiles

Limits

  • Automation may require compilers and database dependencies
  • Version 6.0 upgrades require removing old configuration files
  • Further GitHub support requires a GitHub account

Who it suits

It suits teams benchmarking supported databases on Windows, Linux or self-hosted infrastructure. Its CI and pipeline features target advanced users automating database builds and benchmark workflows.

Verdict

HammerDB covers multi-database benchmarking with several interfaces and detailed result metrics. Its automation capabilities are aimed at users comfortable managing build and runtime dependencies.

Where Specifiction places it

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