Category 7 software profiles
Database Software
Relational, in-memory and document databases that store and serve application data.
Databases store the records that applications depend on: customer accounts, orders, messages, inventory and everything in between. Relational databases, which organize data into tables queried with SQL, have dominated business computing since the late 1970s, when Oracle released one of the first commercial SQL databases.
Later designs made different trade-offs. In-memory databases keep data in RAM for real-time analytics, while document databases store flexible JSON-like records that map naturally to application code. Most vendors now also offer their databases as fully managed cloud services, which shifts patching, scaling and backups from the customer to the provider.
Databases: software on SoftwareLore
- MongoDBSource-available document database built on flexible JSON-like records MongoDB 2009 Freemium
- MongoDB AtlasFully managed MongoDB database service on AWS, Google Cloud and Azure MongoDB 2016 Usage-based
- MySQLOpen-source relational database long used to power web applications Oracle 1995 Free and open source
- Oracle DatabaseMulti-model relational database for enterprise transactions and analytics Oracle 1979 Enterprise licensing
- SAP HANAIn-memory, column-based database behind SAP’s business applications SAP 2010 Enterprise licensing
- Databricks Data Intelligence PlatformLakehouse platform for data engineering, analytics, AI and agents Databricks 2014 Usage-based
- Snowflake AI Data CloudCloud data platform for analytics, data sharing, apps and AI agents Snowflake 2015 Usage-based
Who makes Database Software?
What to look for
Questions worth answering before choosing a tool in this category.
- 01
Data model
Relational databases fit structured data with strict relationships, document databases fit flexible nested records, and in-memory databases fit workloads that need very fast analytics.
- 02
Managed or self-hosted
Managed cloud services handle backups, patching and scaling for a fee, while self-hosting gives full control and can cost less for steady, predictable workloads.
- 03
Scale and availability
Consider replication, automatic failover, read scaling and multi-region deployment early, since changing databases later is one of the hardest migrations a team can make.
- 04
Licensing and cost
Open-source, source-available and commercial licenses carry very different obligations and costs. Review both the license terms and cloud pricing before committing.
Databases: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases?
SQL databases store data in tables with predefined columns and use the SQL query language, which suits structured records like orders or accounts. NoSQL databases, such as document stores, allow flexible structures that can differ from record to record, which suits rapidly evolving applications.
Is MySQL owned by Oracle?
Yes. MySQL was created by the Swedish company MySQL AB and first released in 1995. Sun Microsystems bought MySQL AB in 2008, and Oracle acquired Sun in 2010. MySQL remains available under an open-source license alongside paid enterprise editions.
What is a managed database service?
A managed database service, sometimes called database as a service, is a database that a cloud provider runs on the customer’s behalf. The provider handles setup, backups, software updates, scaling and high availability, and the customer pays based on capacity or usage.
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