TiDB Serverless vs MariaDB: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between TiDB Serverless and MariaDB comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 22, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
TiDB Serverless
A modern database architecture for real-time data, offering elastic scalability and MySQL compatibility.
Best for you if:
- • You need big data analytics features specifically
- • Unified distributed SQL database for OLTP, OLAP, and AI workloads.
- • Cloud-native architecture with decoupled compute and storage for elastic scaling.
MariaDB
Open-source relational database from MySQL creators
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • MariaDB is an open-source relational database forked from MySQL
- • It provides enhanced performance and features while maintaining MySQL compatibility
| At a Glance |  TiDB Serverless |  MariaDB |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Big Data Analytics | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | —/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | TiDB Serverless | MariaDB |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Big Data AnalyticsManaged Databases | Hosting & DeploymentDatabase Builders |
How TiDB Serverless and MariaDB Compare
TiDB Serverless
A modern database architecture for real-time data, offering elastic scalability and MySQL compatibility.
Free tier available
MariaDB
Open-source relational database from MySQL creators
Free · 86/100 score
TiDB Serverless is a big data analytics tool. MariaDB is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
MariaDB is free. TiDB Serverless is freemium.
Go with: MariaDB
Want the highest-rated option?
MariaDB scores 86/100. TiDB Serverless is unrated.
Go with: MariaDB
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: MariaDB
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
TiDB Serverless is freemium. MariaDB is free. Go with MariaDB if free matters most.
What's your use case?
TiDB Serverless is a big data analytics tool. MariaDB is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
MariaDB
- Higher score: 86/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
TiDB Serverless
- Better fit for big data analytics
The Bottom Line
MariaDB (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TiDB Serverless or MariaDB better?
MariaDB scores 86/100 in our evaluation. TiDB Serverless is freemium and MariaDB is free.
What are TiDB Serverless and MariaDB used for?
TiDB Serverless: A modern database architecture for real-time data, offering elastic scalability and MySQL compatibility.. MariaDB: Open-source relational database from MySQL creators.
What does TiDB Serverless cost vs MariaDB?
TiDB Serverless is freemium (free tier + paid plans). MariaDB is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.