Best Distributed SQL Databases in 2026
Updated
In short: MySQL is ranked #1 of 23 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of CrateDB and OceanBase Database. The best-ranked option with a free plan is CrateDB. The lowest first paid tier on this page is CockroachDB Cloud at $0.06/mo.
Distributed SQL databases are worth comparing by how they address data distribution, scaling, and compatibility with the systems you use. Check horizontal scaling, geo-partitioning, and multi-region deployment, then consider support for HTAP workloads and MySQL or PostgreSQL compatibility. Deployment model, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing round out the comparison points. MySQL and CrateDB lead the ranking, followed by OceanBase Database and TBase. Use the listed characteristics to gauge technical fit for your workloads, alongside the deployment and pricing details that matter to your environment.
23 distributed SQL databases ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 MySQL Top pick · 7.3 
#2 CrateDB Runner-up · 7.2 
#3 OceanBase Database Also great · 7.1 Free plan · Free- Free planFree trial apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment model
- both
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment model
- both
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment model
- both
- MySQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Deployment model
- self_hosted
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free planFree trial apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Deployment model
- both
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free planFree trial apiLinuxWeb
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$0.06/mofirst paid tier About CockroachDB CloudVisit site - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWeb
- Deployment model
- self_hosted
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- Yes
- MySQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free planFree trial apiWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment model
- cloud
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- No
- MySQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$0.99/mofirst paid tier About SingleStore HeliosVisit site - Free plan apiLinuxself-hosted
- Deployment model
- both
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree About YDBVisit site - Free trial apiLinuxself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free planFree trial apiWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Deployment model
- cloud
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial apiLinuxself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Deployment model
- both
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- Yes
- MySQL compatibility
- No
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - self-hosted
- Free plan
- No
- Deployment model
- both
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Deployment model
- both
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- Yes
- MySQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsCNY 21/mofirst paid tier About Tencent Cloud CDNVisit site - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Deployment model
- self_hosted
- MySQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Deployment model
- both
- MySQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment model
- both
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- No
- MySQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Deployment model
- both
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- Yes
- MySQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Deployment model
- self_hosted
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- No
- MySQL compatibility
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linuxself-hosted
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Deployment model
- cloud
- PostgreSQL compatibility
- Yes
- MySQL compatibility
- Yes
- Horizontal scaling
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Deployment model
- self_hosted
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which distributed SQL database is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
MySQL is ranked #1 of 23 with a score of 7.3. CrateDB is second and OceanBase Database third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 23 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, CockroachDB Cloud has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.06/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.