MySQL is the relational database that powered the web. Open source, reliable, and understood-the database behind countless applications. The ecosystem is vast. The knowledge is widespread. The reliability is proven. Web applications often use MySQL because it works and everyone knows it.

Available on: Web

Louis Corneloup Updated Jul 20, 2026 · how we evaluate Source mysql.com ↗

Ratings Across the Web

4.5 (1,688 reviews)

MySQL holds an aggregate rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 1,688 reviews across SourceForge and G2, last checked September 2, 2026.

Toolradar 1 review

5/5

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SourceForge 6 reviews

4.8/5

G2 1,682 reviews

4.4/5

What people say

“MySQL is hands down the best free database software for startup applications” via SourceForge

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Relational database
ACID compliance
Replication
High availability
JSON support
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Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Oct 7, 2026

MySQL plans and prices, checked October 2026
Plan	Price	Details
Community Edition	$0	GPL licensed Full database features Open source +1 more Show less Community support
Standard Edition	$2,140/year	Per server license Premier support included Production use
Enterprise Edition	$5,350/year	All Standard features Advanced security Backup & recovery +1 more Show less Monitoring tools

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Is MySQL worth the price?

Great value

MySQL's pricing is incredibly generous with its Community Edition, offering full features for free.

The Standard Edition at $2140/year and Enterprise at $5350/year are competitive for businesses requiring premier support and advanced features, respectively. This structure is best for a wide range of users, from individual developers to large enterprises.

Full MySQL pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

Reviews (1)

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Holston

Perfect for Mac Users with a need for relational data management

Pros: MySQL is the classic open-source relational database. It’s free, widely used, well-documented, and runs great on Mac via Homebrew (or Docker if you want containerization). Super easy install, easy to get going with first dBs.

Cons: The documentation is (like most) too “techy” and not really that accessible to a user who knows they need SQL but needs a little help getting going. Sometimes the docs lack real-world follow-along examples of usage in action. Mac users are often left to wade through “Linux-y” tech talk when they don’t really want or need that.

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Best MySQL Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

PostgreSQL Free

Advanced open source SQL database

4.5

MariaDB Free

Open-source relational database from MySQL creators

4.4

CockroachDB Freemium

Distributed SQL database built for cloud

4.3

See all data & databases tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

MySQL vs PostgreSQL Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins MySQL vs MariaDB Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins MySQL vs CockroachDB Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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MySQL FAQ

How does MySQL support web applications?

MySQL is widely used for web applications due to its proven reliability and widespread familiarity among developers. It offers excellent read performance, which is beneficial for many web-based workloads.

Which teams benefit most from using MySQL?

Teams looking for a reliable, well-documented, and easy-to-start relational database, especially for web applications, will find MySQL a good fit. Its massive community and extensive hosting options also support various team sizes and needs.

How does MySQL compare to PostgreSQL in terms of features?

MySQL is generally considered less feature-rich than PostgreSQL. While both are robust relational databases, PostgreSQL offers a broader set of advanced features compared to MySQL.

Does MySQL include a free tier?

MySQL is free to use, as it is an open-source relational database. There is no paid plan required to utilize its core functionalities.

What kind of limitations should users be aware of with MySQL?

Users should be aware that MySQL is less feature-rich than some alternatives and has limited JSON support. Additionally, replication can experience lag under heavy write loads, and there are complexities related to storage engines.

Can MySQL be used in a serverless or managed database environment?

Yes, MySQL is categorized as both a serverless and managed database option. This indicates its adaptability for deployment in environments where infrastructure management is abstracted or handled by a service provider.

Source: mysql.com

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