If you are familiar with computer technology, which I'm sure you are, you will definitely have heard of something called a "Database". Databases and database management systems are a core element of computers and software.
If you're someone who doesn't know much about computer science, you may not understand the technicalities of what a database management system is. But don't worry, as this article will guide you through these technicalities and help you better understand these concepts.
Top 7 Best Database Software in 2023
Database software refers to systems that capture, analyze and maintain data for business use, allowing end users to retrieve data when needed. Fortunately, there are many free database software solutions with powerful features that hundreds of businesses around the world rely on.
This article will help you break down the concept and uses of database software and give you a detailed description of 7 premium software options available for free.
1. Microsoft SQL Server
This is a relational database software from Microsoft that is widely used for data management. The main purpose of Microsoft SQL Server is to store and retrieve information requested by other software applications. It also provides information and reports on data available on Windows, Android and iOS devices.
Microsoft SQL Server implements Structured Query Language (SQL) and has a variety of different versions, this includes specialized versions that cater to high workload and demand. Microsoft offers a fast version which is a free database software. It is an entry level database ideal for learning and building web, desktop and small server applications.
2. MySQL
MySQL is a free, open source SQL database. It allows you to store and access a large volume of data, which helps you build scalable database applications. The storage capabilities offered by MySQL make it an efficient and easy-to-use database software.
MySQL offers many editions, each with different features for different requirements. These include an enterprise edition, a classic edition, a standard edition and a community edition. MySQL Community Edition is free and is one of the best open source databases available.
It is intended for smaller companies. Many of the world's largest organizations with high-volume websites and software applications also rely on MySQL. These include: Google, Facebook, PayPal, YouTube, Twitter, Netflix, LinkedIn, and many others.
3. Knack
Knack is a preferred choice for database and online application developers due to its high customization attribute. It is a database builder software that offers you to build a fully customized database or modify the available pre-built templates to meet your exact needs.
Knack's easy-to-use dashboards and real-time view help you better visualize and analyze data. You can also connect Knack with other applications using application automation tools such as Zapier. This allows you to automatically share and integrate data between multiple applications.
Knack offers a fast and reliable cloud infrastructure, capable of maintaining and searching through a myriad of data. Another great feature of Knack is the security and privacy it provides to your data, every step of the way. That's why it is used by companies all over the world, including Fortune 500 companies such as Intel, Hewlett Packard, Cambridge University Press, etc.
4. PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is another free SQL database available for businesses. It is an open source, relational database management system. It offers robust features including data indexing, data import/export, extensibility, security and data recovery. It claims to be highly scalable in terms of managing large amounts of data and accommodating concurrent users.
Unlike other options such as MySQL, PostgreSQL is completely free, as it does not charge for priority usage. It can be downloaded from your website and be ready to work on. It can be used for data management, application creation, data protection and creating secure environments. It is best suited for database-backed application development because of its powerful features, speed and reliability.
5. ClusterControl
ClusterControl is a free and open source database software. It works to store, maintain and analyze data for commercial use. Some of the key data services offered by ClusterControl include:
However, the Free Community Edition does not provide a full range of services listed above that are only available for the Enterprise Edition.
6. MongoDB
MongoDB is an open source, NoSQL database software that allows you to store, manipulate and visualize data. It is a document-based database that stores data in a JSON-like document. Designed for modern application development, MongoDB provides the essential tools to make it easy to work with data. MongoDB's intuitive graphical user interface helps you search and manipulate your data, and the robust visual editing tool helps you visualize it.
MongoDB's built-in storage engines allow you to handle large amounts of data. While the backup system keeps your data safe, you can easily restore it when needed. MongoDB's best-of-breed security feature uses SSL, encryption, firewalls and network peering to keep data secure.
7. Apache Cassandra
Apache Cassandra is another great choice of free and open source database software. It is a NoSQL database management system that is suitable for handling large and active datasets on many commodity servers. It offers a range of features for efficient data management. These include:
The Apache Cassandra database system follows a data replication model with no single point of failure. Therefore, it is best suited for companies that cannot afford to lose data and require high availability.
Even when a data center goes down, Apache Cassandra is able to secure data and deliver high performance. Some of the largest companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Netflix and Cisco choose Cassandra with their large and active data sets.
The Best Database Software In 2023
There are a myriad of database management software options available to meet your database management needs. There are different variants of similar software available for different price points, operating systems and specific requirements. You should choose the one that best suits your needs.
If you're someone who doesn't know much about computer science, you may not understand the technicalities of what a database management system is. But don't worry, as this article will guide you through these technicalities and help you better understand these concepts.
Top 7 Best Database Software in 2023
Database software refers to systems that capture, analyze and maintain data for business use, allowing end users to retrieve data when needed. Fortunately, there are many free database software solutions with powerful features that hundreds of businesses around the world rely on.
This article will help you break down the concept and uses of database software and give you a detailed description of 7 premium software options available for free.
1. Microsoft SQL Server
This is a relational database software from Microsoft that is widely used for data management. The main purpose of Microsoft SQL Server is to store and retrieve information requested by other software applications. It also provides information and reports on data available on Windows, Android and iOS devices.
Microsoft SQL Server implements Structured Query Language (SQL) and has a variety of different versions, this includes specialized versions that cater to high workload and demand. Microsoft offers a fast version which is a free database software. It is an entry level database ideal for learning and building web, desktop and small server applications.
2. MySQL
MySQL is a free, open source SQL database. It allows you to store and access a large volume of data, which helps you build scalable database applications. The storage capabilities offered by MySQL make it an efficient and easy-to-use database software.
MySQL offers many editions, each with different features for different requirements. These include an enterprise edition, a classic edition, a standard edition and a community edition. MySQL Community Edition is free and is one of the best open source databases available.
It is intended for smaller companies. Many of the world's largest organizations with high-volume websites and software applications also rely on MySQL. These include: Google, Facebook, PayPal, YouTube, Twitter, Netflix, LinkedIn, and many others.
3. Knack
Knack is a preferred choice for database and online application developers due to its high customization attribute. It is a database builder software that offers you to build a fully customized database or modify the available pre-built templates to meet your exact needs.
Knack's easy-to-use dashboards and real-time view help you better visualize and analyze data. You can also connect Knack with other applications using application automation tools such as Zapier. This allows you to automatically share and integrate data between multiple applications.
Knack offers a fast and reliable cloud infrastructure, capable of maintaining and searching through a myriad of data. Another great feature of Knack is the security and privacy it provides to your data, every step of the way. That's why it is used by companies all over the world, including Fortune 500 companies such as Intel, Hewlett Packard, Cambridge University Press, etc.
4. PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is another free SQL database available for businesses. It is an open source, relational database management system. It offers robust features including data indexing, data import/export, extensibility, security and data recovery. It claims to be highly scalable in terms of managing large amounts of data and accommodating concurrent users.
Unlike other options such as MySQL, PostgreSQL is completely free, as it does not charge for priority usage. It can be downloaded from your website and be ready to work on. It can be used for data management, application creation, data protection and creating secure environments. It is best suited for database-backed application development because of its powerful features, speed and reliability.
5. ClusterControl
ClusterControl is a free and open source database software. It works to store, maintain and analyze data for commercial use. Some of the key data services offered by ClusterControl include:
- Backup management
- Monitoring and alerting
- Deployment and scaling
- Security and compliance
- Operational reporting
- Automated recovery and remediation
- Automated performance advisors.
However, the Free Community Edition does not provide a full range of services listed above that are only available for the Enterprise Edition.
6. MongoDB
MongoDB is an open source, NoSQL database software that allows you to store, manipulate and visualize data. It is a document-based database that stores data in a JSON-like document. Designed for modern application development, MongoDB provides the essential tools to make it easy to work with data. MongoDB's intuitive graphical user interface helps you search and manipulate your data, and the robust visual editing tool helps you visualize it.
MongoDB's built-in storage engines allow you to handle large amounts of data. While the backup system keeps your data safe, you can easily restore it when needed. MongoDB's best-of-breed security feature uses SSL, encryption, firewalls and network peering to keep data secure.
7. Apache Cassandra
Apache Cassandra is another great choice of free and open source database software. It is a NoSQL database management system that is suitable for handling large and active datasets on many commodity servers. It offers a range of features for efficient data management. These include:
- MapReduce support
- Query language
- Fault tolerance
- Elastic scalability
- Always on architecture
The Apache Cassandra database system follows a data replication model with no single point of failure. Therefore, it is best suited for companies that cannot afford to lose data and require high availability.
Even when a data center goes down, Apache Cassandra is able to secure data and deliver high performance. Some of the largest companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Netflix and Cisco choose Cassandra with their large and active data sets.
The Best Database Software In 2023
There are a myriad of database management software options available to meet your database management needs. There are different variants of similar software available for different price points, operating systems and specific requirements. You should choose the one that best suits your needs.