Ranked chart · Developer Tools

Best Relational Databases in 2026

Relational databases organize structured data for applications, with options that differ in how they are deployed and operated. Compare deployment model and managed service, then consider backup retention, high availability, and read replicas for your continuity needs. Maximum connections and JSON data support offer additional technical details to weigh against your application requirements. Free-plan availability…

38 appsSorted 24 Oct 2026How we rank

18.6

SQLite

SQLite is a transactional SQL database engine that runs inside an application, without a separate server process or configuration.

Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWeb

Free plan

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28.1

HSQLDB

HSQLDB is a Java-based relational database engine with in-memory and disk-based tables, available in embedded and server modes.

Free planOpen sourceAPILinuxmacOS

From $100 a year

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37.9

MySQL

MySQL is an open-source database for web, e-commerce, SaaS, and online transaction processing applications.

Free planAPILinuxmacOS

Free plan

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4
Aiven for PostgreSQL
Aiven for PostgreSQL is a managed, hosted relational database service based on open-source PostgreSQL.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPISelf-hosted
7.8From $5 a month
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5
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database is a cloud-native relational database service built on the SQL Server engine and delivered as a fully managed PaaS.
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI
7.7Free plan
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6
IBM Db2
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted
7.4From $630 a month
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7
Amazon RDS
Amazon RDS is a managed relational database service that automates provisioning, patching, backups, and scaling.
Free planWebAPISelf-hosted
7.1Free plan
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8
InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS is a cloud-first data platform for building and deploying high-performance applications that connect data and application silos.
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS
7.1Free plan
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9
Neon
Neon is a managed, cloud-hosted PostgreSQL service for relational databases.
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS
7.1$0.11 usage-based
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10
Firebird
Firebird is a free, open-source relational database management system with ANSI SQL features, available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployment.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows
6.9From €199 a month
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11
Google Cloud SQL
Google Cloud SQL is a fully managed cloud relational database service for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.
WebAPILinuxmacOS
6.9From $0.04 a month
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12
Microsoft SQL Server
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hostedWindows
6.8Free plan
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13
H2 Database Engine
H2 Database Engine is a free SQL database written in Java.
Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS
6.6Free plan
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14
RaimaDB
RaimaDB is an embedded database for mission-critical applications, including edge, IoT, and real-time systems.
AndroidiOSWebAPI
6.6
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15
Actian Zen
Actian Zen is an embedded database for managing data across edge environments and the cloud.
AndroidiOSAPILinux
6.5
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16
Crunchy Bridge
Crunchy Bridge is a fully managed cloud PostgreSQL service for hobby projects, startups, and enterprises.
WebAPILinux
6.4From $9 a month
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17
MariaDB Server
MariaDB Server is a general-purpose, open-source relational database management system for applications, transaction data, analytics, and embedded deployments.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows
6.4Free plan
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18
SAP HANA Cloud
Free planWebAPILinux
6.4Free plan
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19
Amazon Aurora
Amazon Aurora is a fully managed relational database service offering PostgreSQL, MySQL, and DSQL engines.
Free planAPI
6.3Free plan
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20
Heroku
Heroku is a container-based cloud platform for deploying, managing, and scaling apps.
WebAPI
6.3From $5 a month
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21
Matisse
Matisse is a self-hosted database that combines object storage, XML, and SQL for developers and database administrators building applications and services.
LinuxmacOSWindows
6.3$245 one-time
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22
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is a free, open-source object-relational database system that uses and extends SQL for complex data workloads.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows
6.3Free plan
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23
DigitalOcean Managed Databases
DigitalOcean Managed Databases is a paid cloud service for running managed database clusters without manually installing, configuring, maintaining,…
WebAPI
6.2From $15 a month
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24
Render
Render is a cloud platform for deploying and scaling applications, websites, databases, and workflows.
WebAPI
6.2From $25 a month
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25
ALTIBASE
ALTIBASE is a relational database engine that combines in-memory and on-disk storage.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted
6.1Free plan
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