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It's a split decision.
Choose MariaDB if you want a free, self-hosted server with installation options spanning packages, containers, Kubernetes, Windows, and macOS. Choose MySQL if you need its GPL-licensed Community Edition, paid Enterprise features, Cluster Carrier Grade Edition, or HeatWave cloud service. Both have commercial paths, but their billing differs: MariaDB Cloud lists hourly tiers, while MySQL’s published paid prices are annual per-server rates. Check connector support and migration requirements against your application before choosing.
01Side by side
| MariaDB | MySQL | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free server; Cloud hourly; Enterprise Platform by quote | Free Community; paid editions priced annually per server |
| Free tier | MariaDB Community Server is free | Community Edition is free under GPL |
| Open source and license | Open-source server; exact license not specified | Community Edition is GPL-licensed |
| Self-hosting | Community and Enterprise Server can be self-managed | Community and paid editions support server licensing |
| Integrations | Node.js connector; WordPress deployment article | Embedded products; HeatWave cloud service |
| Deployment options | Packages, containers, Kubernetes, source, Windows, brew | Self-managed editions, HeatWave cloud, embedded licensing |
| Release access | LTS, Rolling, RC, and Preview channels | Early Access builds for Community Edition |
| Commercial offerings | Enterprise Server and quoted Platform tiers | Standard, Enterprise, Cluster, Classic, HeatWave |
MariaDB Choose MariaDB if
- Choose MariaDB if you want a free, self-hosted server.
- Choose MariaDB if you need multiple installation paths.
- Choose MariaDB if hourly Cloud tiers suit your billing model.
MySQL Choose MySQL if
- Choose MySQL if you need GPL-licensed Community Edition.
- Choose MySQL if you need paid Enterprise features and support.
- Choose MySQL if HeatWave or embedded licensing fits your product.
02Pricing at real usage
MariaDB Community Server is listed at $0. MariaDB Cloud’s Foundation tier is listed at $0 per month; Power starts at $0.16 per hour and PowerPlus at $0.21 per hour. The pricing page lists Enterprise Platform, Platform Plus, and Platform Ultimate as custom-quote plans. Cloud paid tiers are hourly, so estimate spend from your expected billed hours; the vendor does not publish a monthly total in the listed prices.
MySQL Community Edition is free under GPL. Standard Edition costs $2,140 per server per year for 1–4 socket servers and $4,280 for 5+ sockets. Enterprise Edition costs $5,350 or $10,700 per server per year for those respective sizes. Cluster Carrier Grade Edition is $10,700 per server per year for 1–4 sockets. The pricing page lists a 30-day Enterprise trial; monthly prices are not published.
03API, SDKs and integration
MariaDB’s homepage names a MariaDB Connector/Node.js and links to Doxygen documentation for the MariaDB Server Plugin API. It also features a post about deploying MariaDB with WordPress. These give teams a named Node.js integration and a documented server extension point, alongside the option to install the database from packages, containers, Kubernetes, source, Windows, or brew on macOS.
MySQL’s homepage highlights Community, Enterprise, Cluster, HeatWave, and embedded-product offerings. It says HeatWave combines transactions with lakehouse-scale analytics and supports deploying apps with a choice of cloud providers. It also describes MySQL as an embedded database used by ISVs, OEMs, and VARs. The homepage does not name a language-specific connector or SDK; confirm client-library support for your stack before committing. For either server, check the vendor documentation for the client, connection, and extension details your application needs.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
MariaDB Server is open source and self-hostable. The homepage lists packages, containers, Kubernetes/OpenShift, source builds, Windows installs, and brew on macOS. It also distinguishes Community Server from Enterprise Server, described as a hardened, production-grade edition. The exact MariaDB license is not specified on the homepage.
MySQL Community Edition is free under GPL, and MySQL also sells Standard, Enterprise, and Cluster editions. Its Enterprise Edition includes management tools and technical support, while HeatWave is a cloud service. For either product, choose self-management or a vendor service based on who will operate the database and where it must run. Neither homepage specifies data-export formats. Before a migration, test the export and restore path, application behavior, and any edition-specific features; MySQL’s homepage lists a migration guide for moving from MariaDB to MySQL.
Questions people ask
Which is best, MariaDB or MySQL?
Neither is best for every application. MariaDB fits teams seeking a free, self-hosted server with several installation paths. MySQL fits teams that want its GPL Community Edition, paid Enterprise features, embedded licensing, or HeatWave. Compare connector support, licensing needs, and deployment requirements before selecting.
Which database is fastest?
The vendor pages do not establish a speed winner. Performance depends on the workload, schema, configuration, and deployment. Benchmark both against representative queries and production-like data, then compare latency, throughput, and operational cost. HeatWave is described as an analytics service, not as proof that MySQL is faster for every workload.
Is MySQL open source?
MySQL Community Edition is free under the GPL, according to the pricing details. MySQL also sells Standard, Enterprise, and Cluster editions, with Enterprise including advanced features, management tools, and support. Check the applicable edition’s license terms before deploying it in a product or service.
What are the disadvantages of MariaDB?
The main decision points are commercial and integration details: MariaDB Cloud’s paid tiers are hourly, while Enterprise Platform tiers require a quote, and the homepage does not specify the server’s exact license. Confirm language-specific client support and test migration and restore procedures against your application before committing.