MariaDB vs MySQL: A Comprehensive Analysis

Healthy competition is a process that can bring out the best in companies that offer similar products. In a competitive market, providing the best services and having the majority of customers helps shape the profit of a company. When it comes to the role of a Database Manager, the choice of MariaDB vs MySQL is a relatively tough one.

Both MariaDB and MySQL are very good Databases, but depending on the situation one can dominate the other. MariaDB is a fork of MySQL, which means that it is a lightweight and improved version of MySQL Database. It has many features that are not present in MySQL which can give it a competitive advantage over the older MySQL.

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the 2 Databases and helps companies decide which one to choose for their business operations. It talks about the features of each Database and also provides the key parameters that are required to distinguish them. Read along to find out about both these popular Databases and how companies can choose the Database they need depending on the situation.

What is MariaDB?

MariaDB is a fork of the original RDBMS (Relational Database Management System), MySQL. It is also an RDBMS and offers data processing features for all types of tasks, including small and enterprise tasks. It is an improved version of MySQL and was designed to incorporate features like security and performance that were not previously available in the original MySQL.

MariaDB is an open-source platform that offers an advanced Galera Technology that provides 12 new storage engines, offers backward compatibility, and also supports a popular and standard querying language.

MariaDB is used by many large organizations, Linux distributions, and even enterprise organizations. Some of the organizations that use MariaDB include Google, Craigslist, Wikipedia, ArchLinux, RedHat, CentOS, and Fedora. 

What is MySQL?

MySQL is the most popular and the first open-source RDBMS available on the market. Today, despite having many alternatives to MySQL, it has still managed to keep its reputation in the market, because of its 26 years of experience. An important point to note is that all the variations of MySQL have a similar syntax to MySQL, which means that MySQL provided the foundation for all these variations.

MySQL was developed in the mid-’90s and was originally designed to keep data organized and used SQL (Structured Query Language) to query all the records in the Database. It is used with the combination of PHP and Apache Web Server that are above a Linux distribution.

MySQL has been used by many organizations since 1995. Some of the organizations that use MySQL include GitHub, US Navy, NASA, Tesla, Netflix, WeChat, Facebook, Zendesk, Twitter, Zappos, YouTube, and Spotify.

Key Features of MariaDB

MariaDB is a lightweight version of MySQL and provides improved and newer features for MySQL. Some of the key features of MariaDB are given below:

• It is open-source software that offers backward compatibility.
• It has 12 new storage engines that include PBXT, XtraDB, Maria, and FederatedX.
• It has a larger connection pool and supports up to 200,000 connections and also has faster data replication.
• It is faster than MySQL and does not support Data Masking and Dynamic Columns.
• It comes with newer commands such as WITH and KILL and also supports compatibility with JSON.
• It comes with plug-ins to address some missing features that are available in the MySQL Enterprise Edition.
• It is supported by many server operating systems such as FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris, and Windows.
• It offers routing by using the MariaDB MaxScale router and also supports Analytics by using MariaDB ColumnStore.
• The Data Structures, Syntax, and Indexes are similar to MySQL, so it is easy to convert code from one language to another.
• MariaDB is written in C, C++, Bash, and Perl. 
• It has 868 fork processes built in it.

You can take a look at how you can setup MariaDB Replication to easily migrate your MariaDB data.

Key Features of MySQL

MySQL is one of the first RDBMS that is popular even today. Its regular updates and efficiency in performance are some of the main factors that determine its success even today. Some of the key features of MySQL are given below:

• It was one of the first open-source software in the market.
• It is highly scalable and flexible to all types of data and users.
• It offers high performance and availability to use any time and from any place by multiple users.
• It has robust transactional support and supports Web Development and can easily be embedded with Data Warehouses.
• It is supported by many server operating systems such as FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris, OS X, and Windows.
• The enterprise edition of MySQL has proprietary code that only the MySQL users have access to.
• It offers routing by using the MySQL Router but does not support Data Analytics.
• MySQL is written in C and C++.
• It has 1600 fork processes built in it.

You can take a look at how you can perform MySQL Master Slave Replication to easily migrate your MySQL Data.

What Does MySQL & MariaDB have in Common?

MySQL & MariaDB, to their core, are relational databases; hence few functionalities are somewhat similar. A few of these similarities are mentioned below:

1. The information is stored, in an organized manner, on tables that hold records with the number of fields fixed.
2. The SQL language is the standard operating language used in both software to manipulate and query information accordingly.
3. In contrast to what we see happening in a non-relational database, here, the relationships between the tables, and other entities are known to the database.

In fact, both, MySQL & MariaDB share identical to somewhat similar configuration files, default port to connect, etc, and, on top of that, as MariaDB was built to be the perfect competition to MySQL, both are fully compatible with each other.

Factors that Drive the MariaDB vs MySQL Decision

Now that you have a basic idea of both worlds, let us attempt to answer the MariaDB vs MySQL question of how to make a decision between the two. There is no one-size-fits-all answer here and the decision has to be taken based on the business requirements, budget, and parameters listed below.

Factor	MariaDB	MySQL
Performance	Faster query execution with additional storage engines and thread pooling.	Slower processing, fewer storage engine options.
Database Structure	Similar to MySQL; frequently synchronized with MySQL’s code base.	Standard RDBMS structure with tables, rows, and columns.
Deployment	Supports multi-master clustering using Galera Cluster.	Master-slave clustering with one-way synchronous replication.
Support	Open-source development with transparent patches and public involvement.	Oracle-controlled development; updates and patches are released internally.
Connectors	Wide variety including Java, Python, Ruby, and more.	Similar connector support, including Java, Python, and Node.js.
Pricing	Open-source with additional paid enterprise options like SkySQL.	Offers Standard, Enterprise, and Cluster editions; pricing varies by edition.
Security	Robust encryption and role-based access controls.	Comparable security features, though some require the Enterprise edition.

The following are the key factors that drive the MariaDB vs MySQL decision:

• MariaDB vs MySQL: Performance & Speed
• MariaDB vs MySQL: Database Structure & Syntax
• MariaDB vs MySQL: Deployment & Clustering
• MariaDB vs MySQL: Support, Development & Documentation
• MariaDB vs MySQL: Database Connectors & Compatibility
• MariaDB vs MySQL: Pricing Models

1) MariaDB vs MySQL: Performance & Speed

Performance of a Database refers to the ability of the Database to store data and retrieve records according to the user’s requirements. Speed of a Database refers to its ability to quickly execute queries and complete transactions efficiently.

MariaDB has 12 new storage engines and has improved speed. It can be seen that, with a memory storage engine of MariaDB, an INSERT statement can be executed 24% faster than in the standard MySQL environment. It also comes with an advanced thread pool that is capable of running faster and supporting up to 200,000+ connections at a single point in time. MariaDB also ensures that updates can be done in a safe manner and are twice as fast as MySQL.

MySQL has a very slow processing speed and is not able to compete with the lightweight and improved MariaDB. It also has lesser storage engines which limit the processing ability.

2) MariaDB vs MySQL: Database Structure & Syntax

Database Structure and Syntax are crucial to the operation of any Database. Without having a proper format to execute code, users will not be able to access the records in the Database.

As MySQL follows an RDBMS structure, that consists of tables that contain rows and columns and MariaDB, which is a fork of MySQL, means that the Database Structure, Indexes, Syntax, and relationships between the tables of both Databases are similar to each other. In fact, MariaDB developers do a monthly merge of the MariaDB code with the MySQL code.

Indexes too are maintained in the form of B+ Trees for both Databases. Some of the Syntaxes in both Databases are shown below:

• Selecting Records from the Department Table

MySQL Syntax

SELECT * 
FROM department;

MariaDB Syntax

SELECT * 
FROM department;

• Inserting Records to the Department Table

MySQL Syntax

INSERT INTO department(dept_id, dept_name) 
VALUES ('1', 'Marketing’');

MariaDB Syntax

INSERT INTO department(dept_id, dept_name) 
VALUES ('1', 'Marketing’');

• Updating the Records of the Department Table

MySQL Syntax

UPDATE department
SET dept_id = ‘2’ 
WHERE dept_name= ‘Production’;

MariaDB Syntax

UPDATE department
SET dept_id = ‘2’ 
WHERE dept_name= ‘Production’;

3) MariaDB vs MySQL: Deployment & Clustering

Deployment refers to the ability to use the Database across multiple applications. Clustering is the ability to have multiple copies of the data from a parent Database to a child Database. Both these processes are important because, when a company has a proper deployment and backup of its resources, it can manage employees effectively.

MariaDB is written in C, C++, Bash, and Perl and can be deployed on many server operating systems such as FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris, and Windows. Clustering can be enabled in MariaDB by just activating the configuration parameters. Clustering is achieved in MariaDB in a Master-Master or Master-Slave manner. A Multi-Master technology is also supported by MariaDB using the Galera Cluster model.

MySQL is written in C and C++ and can be deployed on server operating systems such as FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris, OS X, and Windows. Clustering also is a one-way synchronous replication process where one server will act as the Master and all the others will be the Slaves. MySQL helps to replicate data from all Databases, selected Databases, or even selected tables within a Database.

4) MariaDB vs MySQL: Support, Development & Documentation

Support refers to the community and the employees that help users when they face any issues and also report any complaints. Development is a constant requirement as the application is always in need of improvement. Documentation is the process of reporting all the transactions and bugs at regular intervals.

MariaDB offers support engineers that are skilled in both MariaDB and MySQL 24X7, with their enterprise solutions. The development of MariaDB is open to the public where all the developers can debate on further improvements and review them based on a public mailing list. This ensures that there is a transparent and regular release of patches. Documentation is maintained by the main steward, but the public can also participate.

MySQL offers technical support services based on Oracle’s lifetime support. The support team consists of MySQL developers and support engineers on a 24X7 basis. They fix bugs, security issues and also offer regular maintenance. Development of MySQL is done by Oracle Corporation and is not available to the general public. Security Patches are released every 2 months. Documentation is also maintained by Oracle Corporation.

5) MariaDB vs MySQL: Database Connectors & Compatibility

Database connectors are required to maintain the relationships between the tables in the Databases. Compatibility is a feature of many applications that ensures that the applications can run on multiple platforms.

MariaDB

MariaDB supports a range of database connectors, including ADO.NET, C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and others. Notable updates since 2022 include enhancements in connectors like MariaDB Connector/ODBC 3.2, which now supports ODBC 3.8 compliance, improved query handling, and better resilience during result streaming. Other connectors, such as MariaDB Connector/Node.js, have introduced new features like PARSEC Authentication Plugin support and JSON handling options. These updates align with MariaDB’s compatibility and performance improvements, especially in the context of MariaDB Server versions like 11.4 and beyond.

While earlier MariaDB versions (10.2–10.4) were limited drop-in replacements for MySQL 5.7, current MariaDB releases have significantly expanded functionality, diverging from MySQL with features tailored to specific use cases, such as JSON query flexibility and prepared statement caching.

MySQL

MySQL continues to support a variety of database connectors, including C, C++, Java, Node.js, Perl, and Python. Its compatibility remains foundational, with no specific equivalent to MariaDB’s drop-in replacement functionality since it is the reference point for comparison. MySQL continues to evolve in features and performance optimizations across its connectors, making it versatile for diverse applications. Also, check Python MariaDB Integration to get an idea of different integrations MariaDB can work with.

6) MariaDB vs MySQL: Pricing Models

Pricing Models are the ways the Databases offer their services to their users. Users can choose an edition of the product and pay accordingly.

MariaDB

MariaDB offers flexible pricing for its database solutions, including cloud-based services through SkySQL. The SkySQL Foundation package starts at $0.45 per hour, with additional charges based on compute and storage usage. Enterprises can consult the MariaDB team to tailor pricing based on their specific needs. For detailed information, visit the MariaDB pricing page

MySQL

MySQL provides three editions to cater to diverse business needs:

• Standard Edition
• Enterprise Edition
• Cluster Carrier Grade Edition

Each edition comes with distinct features and pricing structures to suit various budgets. Companies can choose an edition based on their requirements for performance, scalability, and advanced tools. For the latest details, explore the MySQL pricing page​

MariaDB vs MySQL: Security & Access Methods

Lack of data security and access control privileges can make or break any product’s reputation; hence having them is a must. Below-given are some parameters that will help you evaluate MariaDB & MySQL therefore.

Feature	MySQL	MariaDB
Native Network Encryption	Yes. SSL-based encryption.	Yes. SSL-based encryption.
Access Control System	Access Control List (ACL).	Access Control List (ACL).
Brute Force Protection	Yes.	Yes.
Security Certification	Yes.	Yes.
Access Methods	Supports JDBC, ODBC, ADO.NET, etc.	Supports JDBC, ODBC, ADO.NET, etc.
Others	Host-based verification, password encryption.	Host-based verification, password encryption.
Authentication	GSSAPI, SSPI, LDAP, SCRAM-SHA-256, Certificate, etc.	GSSAPI, SSPI, LDAP, SCRAM-SHA-256, Certificate, etc.
Multi-Factor Authentication	Yes, with certificate-based support.	Yes, with certificate-based support.
Native SSL Support	Yes.	Yes.

Also, you can have a look on a comparison of MongoDB vs MySQL to get a better understanding of the two databases.

Ideal Use Cases of MariaDB and MySQL

Use Cases of MariaDB

1. Open-Source Projects: Ideal for projects requiring an open-source database with frequent updates and community-driven improvements. MariaDB is fully open-source and offers strong community support.
2. High-Performance Web Applications: MariaDB is optimized for high performance, making it a good choice for websites or apps with large amounts of concurrent users and heavy data operations.
3. Cloud Applications: With its cloud-friendly SkySQL offerings, MariaDB is a great fit for businesses needing scalable and reliable cloud databases.
4. Cost-Sensitive Solutions: For businesses on a budget but still needing enterprise-level capabilities, MariaDB’s pricing model offers flexibility without compromising on features like security and scalability.
5. Data-Intensive Applications: Due to its rich storage engine support and high query speeds, MariaDB is well-suited for applications that handle complex or large data sets, like data warehousing or analytics.

Use Cases of MySQL

1. Global Distributed Systems: MySQL’s support for replication and clustering makes it a good fit for global systems requiring data consistency and high availability across distributed locations.
2. Enterprise Applications: MySQL is a popular choice for large businesses looking for a robust, reliable relational database with strong enterprise support, particularly in environments with significant data processing needs.
3. E-commerce Websites: MySQL works well with e-commerce platforms like Magento or WooCommerce, offering fast performance and reliability for handling large transactional volumes.
4. Web Applications: MySQL is commonly used in web development stacks like LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) due to its ease of integration and widespread adoption in web hosting environments.
5. Data Warehousing: MySQL is suitable for organizations needing reliable data storage solutions for their business intelligence or data analytics purposes, especially when paired with tools like Tableau or Power BI.

Conclusion

This article gave a comprehensive analysis of the 2 popular Database technologies in the market today: MariaDB vs MySQL. It talks about both the Databases and their features and limitations. It also gave the parameters to judge each of the Databases. Overall, the choice to choose MySQL or MariaDB depends on the resources of the company and its business goal.

MySQL is a great technology to work with because of its experience in the market for over 26 years and also because Oracle Corporation releases updates regularly. In case performance and efficiency are a major requirement, then MariaDB is a better alternative as it is a lightweight version of MySQL and also offers better performance and more features.

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