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Best Relational Databases in 2026

Relational databases organize application data in related structures, and the options shown can be compared across both technical capabilities and operating arrangements. Deployment model and managed-service availability help frame how a database may be run; backup retention, high availability, and read replicas speak to continuity and access needs. Check maximum connections and JSON data support against your application requirements, as well as free-plan availability and “Paid from” pricing. SQLite, InterSystems IRIS, and MySQL are among the entries, alongside Firebird and H2 Database Engine. Consider which data features and operational responsibilities matter for your setup as you compare.

  1. 1

    Aiven for PostgreSQL

    Free plan Open source APISelf-hostedWeb

    Aiven for PostgreSQL handles routine database operations and includes recovery features, with extensions and cloud-provider options.

    9.1 Free plan · paid from $5/mo Visit site
  2. 2

    HSQLDB

    by HSQLDB
    Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

    HSQLDB offers a broad relational database feature set with free software and optional paid support. Check its storage limits and license terms against your deployment needs.

    8.9 Free plan · paid from $100/yr Visit site
  3. 3

    SQLite

    by SQLite
    Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5

    SQLite provides an embedded database with broad SQL capabilities and a simple single-file format. Its one-writer-per-file limit is important when evaluating it for write-heavy workloads.

    8.5 Free plan Visit site
  4. 4

    Azure SQL Database

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

    Azure SQL Database pairs managed operations with development interfaces, APIs, and recovery capabilities. Review the free-tier limits and overage behavior before relying on the free offer.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  5. 5

    CUBRID

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    Choose CUBRID if you need a free, self-hosted database with broad interfaces, backup options and documented transaction controls.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    Amazon RDS

    Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

    Amazon RDS combines a broad engine selection with managed backups, scaling, and AWS security and monitoring integrations.

    7.4 Visit site
  7. 7

    Firebird

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    Firebird combines broad SQL capabilities with several deployment choices and a no-fee free plan. Check the maintained release series and recovery limits when choosing a version and backup approach.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    H2 Database Engine

    by H2 Database Engine
    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    H2 offers several deployment modes, SQL interfaces, and compatibility modes without a listed price. Its explicit caution about untrusted connections should shape deployment decisions.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    ALTIBASE

    by ALTIBASE
    Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

    ALTIBASE offers several storage modes, replication architectures, and interfaces for Linux deployments.

    7.3 Pricing on request · 90-day trial Visit site
  10. 10

    IBM Db2

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+2

    Choose IBM Db2 if you need a database for varied enterprise workloads, with query optimization, vector queries, and options for availability and security.

    7.3 Free plan · paid from $630/mo Visit site
  11. 11

    InterSystems IRIS

    by InterSystems IRIS
    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    InterSystems IRIS combines database, analytics, integration and deployment capabilities for complex application environments.

    7.3 Pricing on request Visit site
  12. 12

    Amazon Aurora

    by Amazon Aurora
    Free plan API

    Choose Amazon Aurora if you need a managed relational database with PostgreSQL, MySQL, or DSQL engines and want database operations through the RDS console, CLI, or API.

    7.2 Visit site
  13. 13

    MariaDB Server

    by MariaDB Server
    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    MariaDB Server is a free, self-hosted database with broad workload support, storage-engine options, and MySQL compatibility.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  14. 14

    Microsoft SQL Server

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    SQL Server offers database, integration, and virtualization capabilities, with editions for production, development, and learning uses.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  15. 15

    MySQL

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2
    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  16. 16

    Matisse

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Choose Matisse if your application needs an object database with SQL access, online schema evolution, and self-hosted deployment.

    7.1 From $245 Visit site
  17. 17

    Neon

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2

    Neon combines managed PostgreSQL with compute that can pause during inactivity, database branching, and programmatic management.

    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  18. 18

    PostgreSQL

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    PostgreSQL offers extensive data, transaction, recovery, and security capabilities without a license fee.

    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  19. 19

    openGauss

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWindows

    Choose openGauss if you need a free, self-hosted database with mixed query capabilities and high-availability deployment options.

    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  20. 20

    SAP HANA Cloud

    by SAP HANA Cloud
    Free plan APILinuxWeb

    SAP HANA Cloud brings broad data-model support and AI capabilities into one database service.

    6.8 Free plan · pricing on request Visit site
  21. 21

    Render

    Free plan APIWeb

    Render brings application, website, database, and workflow deployment options together with several runtimes and infrastructure tools.

    6.7 Free plan · paid from $25/mo Visit site
  22. 22

    Actian Zen

    Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+4

    Actian Zen combines embedded database deployment with vector search, offline workflows, and AI-agent connectivity.

    6.6 Free plan · paid from $417/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Visit site
  23. 23

    Oracle Database

    by Oracle Database
    Free plan Self-hosted

    Pick Oracle Database if you need a converged database engine with broad deployment choices, security controls, scaling, and replication.

    6.6 Free plan Visit site
  24. 24

    Crunchy Bridge

    Free trial APILinuxWeb

    Crunchy Bridge provides managed PostgreSQL with monitoring, backups and multiple networking options.

    6.3 From $9/mo Visit site
  25. 25

    Google Cloud SQL

    by Google Cloud SQL
    Free trial APILinuxMac+2

    Cloud SQL offers managed relational databases with backups, recovery, availability, and migration support.

    6.3 From $0.04 Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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