A database serves as a basis for collecting, processing and displaying data. They summarize information with common characteristics and facilitate management. Programming skills are not always necessary to create and work with a database. Some online databases have the advantage of being free and easy to use. In this article we have compared the nine best free online databases.
What types of databases exist?
Databases are necessary, for example, to run a process, as is the case with databases for websites or an app. These are functional data.
In addition, customer databases exist to store customer interests, contact information and transaction data. These are so-called CRM databases, where CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management.
What are the advantages of online databases over traditional databases?
Online databases are available for free or you pay monthly. You only pay for what you have used in terms of storage capacity. In addition, you don't have to buy your own hardware and you save on installation costs.
Another advantage is that you buy a service. Providers usually have their own IT department. This relieves the burden on your own staff. Whoever is going to create and manage the database does not need in-depth programming knowledge. Data can also be entered via import or web form.
What to consider when choosing a free online database?
When choosing a free online database, make sure that the provider guarantees security and compliance. Especially if your database is to manage sensitive (customer) data or trade secrets.
The 9 best free online databases
Here is an overview of nine well-known databases that are available for free as a trial version or in a free variant. First of all, let's take a look at Amazon:
Amazon Relational Database Service.
Amazon RDS is an online database that is partially free of charge. You have 720 hours per month to run the database in the "free quota". In the cloud, you install one of the following databases:
What types of databases exist?
Databases are necessary, for example, to run a process, as is the case with databases for websites or an app. These are functional data.
In addition, customer databases exist to store customer interests, contact information and transaction data. These are so-called CRM databases, where CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management.
What are the advantages of online databases over traditional databases?
Online databases are available for free or you pay monthly. You only pay for what you have used in terms of storage capacity. In addition, you don't have to buy your own hardware and you save on installation costs.
Another advantage is that you buy a service. Providers usually have their own IT department. This relieves the burden on your own staff. Whoever is going to create and manage the database does not need in-depth programming knowledge. Data can also be entered via import or web form.
What to consider when choosing a free online database?
When choosing a free online database, make sure that the provider guarantees security and compliance. Especially if your database is to manage sensitive (customer) data or trade secrets.
The 9 best free online databases
Here is an overview of nine well-known databases that are available for free as a trial version or in a free variant. First of all, let's take a look at Amazon:
Amazon Relational Database Service.
Amazon RDS is an online database that is partially free of charge. You have 720 hours per month to run the database in the "free quota". In the cloud, you install one of the following databases:
- MySQL
- MariaDB
- PostgreSQL
- Oracle BYOL
- SQL Server Express Edition
You also have 20 GB for automated backups.
Because of the time limit, Amazon RDS is best suited for testing applications or getting familiar with Amazon services.
Google Cloud Platform
Besides Amazon, Google is another big player in the database market. Within Google Cloud there are online database services that are free. The free tier includes:
Because of the time limit, Amazon RDS is best suited for testing applications or getting familiar with Amazon services.
Google Cloud Platform
Besides Amazon, Google is another big player in the database market. Within Google Cloud there are online database services that are free. The free tier includes:
- Computing engine
- Cloud storage
- BigQuery
Basically, when you sign up for Google Cloud Platform, you get a $300 credit.
If you don't reach the free tier limit, nothing will come out of your balance or the payment method you entered with Google.
Microsoft SQL Server
When talking about Amazon and Google, you can't leave Microsoft out either. You have a choice of three options:
Microsoft SQL Server on Azure: An online database operated in the Azure cloud.
Microsoft SQL Server Edge: With this relational database you can implement the concept of edge computing for IoT applications.
Microsoft dedicated SQL Server: Here you know where your data is stored and can fall back on a hybrid data platform.
To use the online database for free, you need the developer version of Microsoft SQL Server. This edition is licensed for use as a development database, but includes all features.
Oracle database
Another popular relational database is the Oracle database. Its main functions are application development and data warehousing. If you are looking for a free online database, you have two options:
Oracle Autonomous Transaction Processing: The way data is stored makes everyday tasks with the online database easier.
Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse: This type of storage facilitates analysis.
In both cases, the database storage space is limited to 20 GB.
Knack
Knack does not require any coding, as do the online databases listed below. You can use the free trial version of Knack for fourteen days. After that, the solution costs starting at $39 per month. It starts with simple services to import your data into the database. Sort and link them later. Knack's functions allow you to get different views of your data through filters, graphs, dashboards, pivot tables and more. Other systems can be integrated through the API.
Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is also a low-code platform. In this case, the focus is on application development. In particular, the development of apps and web applications without programming skills is in demand. All this takes place hosted in the Zoho Creator cloud. There is a free fee for this online database: it is accessed with 25 MB of storage space and 1,000 data records per account.
ZenBase
You can also use ZenBase to create and manage online databases for your business. In a series of four e-mails, you will become familiar with the user interface. You will then be able to create and use the database quickly, securely and without programming skills. ZenBase offers user management, data import and interactive reporting features. The online database solution is not completely free. You can sign up for free for 14 days.
TeamDesk
TeamDesk joins with an easy-to-use online database free for the first 14 days. The tool starts at $49 per month for five users. You'll be guided through the secure and quick creation of your first database with video tutorials.
SeaTable
Finally, you have the option of using the SeaTable online database for free. Included are 2 GB of file storage, 10,000 rows and unlimited tables. For a wider range of functions, the Plus version costs from 7 euros per user per month. The tool allows different views of the data, such as a calendar or a graph. It is easy to use and operates in German data centers.
Conclusion: There are many online databases - some free, some with trial version.
Either do the programming yourself or choose a solution that can be used without programming skills. With programs like SeaTable, even companies and individuals without an IT department can store, manage and analyze their data in a relational database.
If you don't reach the free tier limit, nothing will come out of your balance or the payment method you entered with Google.
Microsoft SQL Server
When talking about Amazon and Google, you can't leave Microsoft out either. You have a choice of three options:
Microsoft SQL Server on Azure: An online database operated in the Azure cloud.
Microsoft SQL Server Edge: With this relational database you can implement the concept of edge computing for IoT applications.
Microsoft dedicated SQL Server: Here you know where your data is stored and can fall back on a hybrid data platform.
To use the online database for free, you need the developer version of Microsoft SQL Server. This edition is licensed for use as a development database, but includes all features.
Oracle database
Another popular relational database is the Oracle database. Its main functions are application development and data warehousing. If you are looking for a free online database, you have two options:
Oracle Autonomous Transaction Processing: The way data is stored makes everyday tasks with the online database easier.
Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse: This type of storage facilitates analysis.
In both cases, the database storage space is limited to 20 GB.
Knack
Knack does not require any coding, as do the online databases listed below. You can use the free trial version of Knack for fourteen days. After that, the solution costs starting at $39 per month. It starts with simple services to import your data into the database. Sort and link them later. Knack's functions allow you to get different views of your data through filters, graphs, dashboards, pivot tables and more. Other systems can be integrated through the API.
Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is also a low-code platform. In this case, the focus is on application development. In particular, the development of apps and web applications without programming skills is in demand. All this takes place hosted in the Zoho Creator cloud. There is a free fee for this online database: it is accessed with 25 MB of storage space and 1,000 data records per account.
ZenBase
You can also use ZenBase to create and manage online databases for your business. In a series of four e-mails, you will become familiar with the user interface. You will then be able to create and use the database quickly, securely and without programming skills. ZenBase offers user management, data import and interactive reporting features. The online database solution is not completely free. You can sign up for free for 14 days.
TeamDesk
TeamDesk joins with an easy-to-use online database free for the first 14 days. The tool starts at $49 per month for five users. You'll be guided through the secure and quick creation of your first database with video tutorials.
SeaTable
Finally, you have the option of using the SeaTable online database for free. Included are 2 GB of file storage, 10,000 rows and unlimited tables. For a wider range of functions, the Plus version costs from 7 euros per user per month. The tool allows different views of the data, such as a calendar or a graph. It is easy to use and operates in German data centers.
Conclusion: There are many online databases - some free, some with trial version.
Either do the programming yourself or choose a solution that can be used without programming skills. With programs like SeaTable, even companies and individuals without an IT department can store, manage and analyze their data in a relational database.