What is MySQL?
MySQL is a relational database management system that stores data in tables and answers queries written in SQL. It runs as a server that applications connect to over a network, and it earned its popularity by being quick to install, light on resources and simple to replicate. Its default storage engine, InnoDB, provides transactions, row-level locking and crash recovery, and the server also handles JSON documents, full-text search, spatial data and window functions.
MySQL was the M in the LAMP stack of Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP that powered much of the early dynamic web. It is the standard database for WordPress and is widely used with Drupal, Joomla and phpBB, and large services including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have run it at enormous scale, often with their own modifications. Cloud providers sell managed versions such as Amazon RDS for MySQL and Google Cloud SQL.
Oracle develops MySQL under a dual-license model. The Community Edition is free under the GPL, while MySQL Enterprise Edition adds backup, auditing, firewall and encryption tools plus Oracle support. Oracle’s own cloud service, MySQL HeatWave, combines the database with an in-memory query accelerator for analytics and runs on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, AWS and Microsoft Azure. Releases now follow long-term support and short-lived innovation tracks: MySQL 9.7, released in April 2026, opened a new LTS series and moved several former Enterprise features into the free edition, while MySQL 8.0 reached end of life the same month.
Key features of MySQL
- 01
InnoDB storage engine
The default engine supports ACID transactions, foreign keys, row-level locking and automatic crash recovery, making MySQL suitable for transactional applications as well as read-heavy websites.
- 02
Replication and InnoDB Cluster
Asynchronous and semi-synchronous replication copy changes to replicas for read scaling and backups, while Group Replication and InnoDB Cluster provide automatic failover among a group of servers.
- 03
JSON and document store
A native JSON data type, JSON functions and the X DevAPI let developers store and query schemaless documents alongside relational tables on the same server.
- 04
MySQL HeatWave
Oracle’s managed cloud service adds an in-memory analytics engine, machine learning and vector storage to MySQL, so reports can run on live transactional data without moving it to a separate warehouse.
- 05
Hypergraph optimizer
Available in the Community Edition from MySQL 9.7, the hypergraph join optimizer weighs a wider range of join orders and join methods, which can speed up complex multi-table queries.
- 06
Enterprise Edition tools
Paying customers get MySQL Enterprise Backup, auditing, a database firewall, transparent data encryption and data masking, along with round-the-clock technical support from Oracle.
- 07
Connectors for many languages
Official connectors for Java, Python, .NET, Node.js, C++ and ODBC, plus the MySQL drivers built into PHP, let applications written in most popular languages work with MySQL.
Who uses MySQL?
- Website owners run WordPress, Drupal and other PHP content management systems on MySQL, often through web hosting providers.
- Online retailers and software-as-a-service companies store customer accounts, orders and application data in replicated MySQL clusters.
- Developers learning SQL install the free Community Edition locally or use managed services such as Amazon RDS, Google Cloud SQL or MySQL HeatWave.
- Companies that want analytics on live transactional data use MySQL HeatWave instead of copying data into a separate data warehouse.
History of MySQL
Michael “Monty” Widenius and David Axmark began writing MySQL in 1994, and the first version appeared on May 23, 1995, from MySQL AB, the Swedish company they founded with Allan Larsson. The “My” in the name comes from Widenius’s daughter My. MySQL AB eventually licensed the database under the GPL while selling commercial licenses to companies that embedded it in their own products, a dual-licensing model that helped MySQL spread through Linux distributions and web hosts.
Sun Microsystems bought MySQL AB for about $1 billion in 2008, and Oracle inherited the database when it completed its acquisition of Sun in 2010. Worry about Oracle’s intentions led Widenius to start MariaDB, a community fork that several Linux distributions later adopted as their default. Under Oracle, MySQL made InnoDB its default engine, added native JSON and gained the HeatWave cloud service in 2020. After job cuts on Oracle’s MySQL team drew criticism in 2025, Oracle promised a new era of community engagement in February 2026, and longtime contributors launched the independent OurSQL Foundation that May.
- 1995
MySQL AB releases the first version of MySQL on May 23.
- 2008
Sun Microsystems acquires MySQL AB for about $1 billion.
- 2010
Oracle takes ownership of MySQL by completing its purchase of Sun; MySQL 5.5 makes InnoDB the default engine.
- 2018
MySQL 8.0 arrives with window functions, common table expressions and a transactional data dictionary.
- 2020
Oracle launches the MySQL database service with HeatWave on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
- 2024
MySQL 8.4 becomes the first long-term support release under a new LTS and innovation model.
- 2026
MySQL 9.7 LTS moves several Enterprise features into the Community Edition, and MySQL 8.0 reaches end of life.
MySQL pricing
Pricing modelFree and open source
Community Edition is free under the GPL; Oracle sells MySQL Enterprise Edition subscriptions and commercial licenses, and MySQL HeatWave in the cloud is billed by usage.
Prices change often. Check the official MySQL website for current plans.
MySQL alternatives
Profiled on SoftwareLore:
Also considerPostgreSQL, MariaDB, Microsoft SQL Server, Amazon Aurora and SQLite
MySQL: frequently asked questions
Who owns MySQL?
MySQL is owned by Oracle, which acquired it in 2010 as part of its purchase of Sun Microsystems. Sun had bought the original developer, Swedish company MySQL AB, in 2008. MySQL was created by Michael “Monty” Widenius and David Axmark, who co-founded MySQL AB with Allan Larsson.
What is MySQL used for?
MySQL is used to store and query structured data for applications. It is especially common behind websites and web apps, including WordPress and other content management systems, online stores and software-as-a-service products, and it is also used for logging, reporting and, through MySQL HeatWave, analytics on live data.
Is MySQL free?
Yes. MySQL Community Edition is free and open source under the GNU General Public License, version 2. Oracle also sells MySQL Enterprise Edition subscriptions with extra security and backup tools and support, commercial licenses for companies that embed MySQL in proprietary products, and the usage-billed MySQL HeatWave cloud service.
When was MySQL released?
The first version of MySQL appeared on May 23, 1995, from the Swedish company MySQL AB, after development began in 1994. Major later releases include MySQL 5.5 in 2010, 8.0 in 2018, the 8.4 long-term support release in 2024 and the 9.7 long-term support release in April 2026.
What is the difference between MySQL and MariaDB?
MariaDB is a fork of MySQL started by MySQL co-creator Michael “Monty” Widenius after Oracle agreed to buy Sun Microsystems. The two began nearly identical and remain broadly compatible for many applications, but they have diverged over time in features, storage engines and replication, and MariaDB is developed outside Oracle.
Sources
- MySQL 9.7: first major LTS since 8.4, InfoQ infoq.com
- Oracle promises new approach to MySQL, The Register theregister.com
- MySQL HeatWave, Oracle oracle.com
- MySQL, Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
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