HammerDB
HammerDB is a database benchmarking application for running workloads against SQL Server, Db2, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MySQL, and VillageSQL.
What HammerDB is
HammerDB is a database benchmarking application for running workloads against SQL Server, Db2, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MySQL, and VillageSQL. It provides graphical, command-line, web, and automation interfaces, and is available for on-premise deployment. The software is free at no cost and released under the GNU General Public License Version 3. Version 6.0 adds CI and pipeline features for MariaDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL, including schema sizing, workload runs, and result capture. It also includes I/O metrics such as IOPS and MB/s, plus Active Session History viewers for MySQL and MariaDB. Timing profiles use reservoir sampling and extended percentile reporting to help compare response-time distributions. Users can upload benchmark artifacts with workload results, database versions, metrics, and system metadata for publication or review. Its web service can run as an SCGI application behind a web server or automation gateway. CI workflows are an advanced capability and may require compilers, database build dependencies, client and runtime libraries, and operating-system tools for the chosen workload.
Good
- Free and open source under GPL Version 3.
- Supports seven named database systems.
- Offers graphical, command-line, web, and automation interfaces.
- Can upload benchmark results with system metadata.
Watch out
- Advanced automated workflows may require build dependencies and tools.
- Further GitHub support requires a GitHub account.
- Version 5.0 users must remove persistent configuration files before starting version 6.0.
Who it suits
HammerDB suits users who need to benchmark supported databases through a graphical, command-line, web, or automation interface. Its CI features are aimed at people automating database builds and benchmark workflows.
Verdict
HammerDB provides a free way to run and share database benchmarks across several engines and interfaces. Users planning CI workflows should account for the additional dependencies and the version 6.0 upgrade instruction.
Plans and prices
From HammerDB's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| HammerDB | Free | Database benchmarking · Windows and Linux builds · Docker image · Free and open source; GNU General Public License Version 3 |
The facts
Each one read from HammerDB's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation requirements
- Automated workflows may require a compiler, database build dependencies, client and runtime libraries, and operating-system tools for the selected database and workload.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The documentation describes CI and pipeline automation as an advanced capability for users automating database builds and benchmark workflows.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- HammerDB supports graphical, command-line, web and automation interfaces.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License
- HammerDB is released under the GNU General Public License Version 3.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Metrics
- Version 6.0 includes I/O metrics such as IOPS and MB/s, plus Active Session History viewers for MySQL and MariaDB.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Performance profiles
- Timing profiles support reservoir sampling and extended percentile reporting for comparing response-time distributions.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- HammerDB is a database benchmarking application for running workloads across SQL Server, Db2, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MySQL and VillageSQL.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Result sharing
- Users can upload benchmark result artifacts with workload results, database versions, metrics and system metadata for publication or review.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The maker's About & Support page identifies the GPL Version 3 license and does not state a security certification or compliance standard.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- First-level support is available through the documentation; further support through GitHub requires a GitHub account, with questions handled in Discussions and bugs or feature requests in Issues.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Upgrade note
- Users upgrading from version 5.0 are instructed to remove existing HammerDB persistent configuration database files before first starting version 6.0.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Web service
- The web service can run as an SCGI application for deployment behind a web server or automation gateway.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Workload automation
- Version 6.0 adds CI and pipeline capabilities for MariaDB, MySQL and PostgreSQL, including schema sizing, workload execution and result capture.checked 9 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The official version 6.0 downloads include Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and Ubuntu 24.04 builds, source archives and a Docker image; Linux packages include x86-64 and ARM64 variants.checked 9 Oct 2026
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