FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Developer Tools

Free and open first

Best Sql Databases in 2026

SQL database tools let you store and work with structured data using SQL. This list is for people comparing database software by cost, code access, deployment and operational features.

  1. 1

    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.

    9.0 Free plan · paid from $100/yr Visit site
  2. 2

    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.

    8.6 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    TiDB Cloud

    by TiDB Cloud
    Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    TiDB Cloud pairs managed database hosting with a free Starter quota and support for transactional and analytical workloads.

    8.5 Free plan Visit site
  4. 4

    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
  5. 5

    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.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    CockroachDB Cloud

    by CockroachDB Cloud
    Free plan APILinuxWeb

    CockroachDB Cloud combines managed operations with distributed SQL and deployments across regions and cloud providers.

    7.4 From $0.06 · 30-day trial Visit site
  7. 7

    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
  8. 8

    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.

    7.4 Free plan · paid from $630/mo 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 Informix

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    IBM Informix offers free editions, broad data-model support, extensive connectivity, and deployment from small devices to enterprise servers.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    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.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    Microsoft SQL Server

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

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

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  13. 13

    MySQL

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2
    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  14. 14

    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.

    7.1 Visit site
  15. 15

    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
  16. 16

    SingleStore Helios

    by SingleStore Helios
    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    Helios brings varied data capabilities and ingestion options to a managed cloud database, with separate Shared, Standard, and Enterprise plans.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from $0.99 Visit site
  17. 17

    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
  18. 18

    Mimer SQL Mobile

    Free trial AndroidAPILinux+2

    Mimer SQL Mobile targets embedded deployments where database functionality and a small memory footprint matter.

    6.1 Pricing on request Visit site
  19. 19

    YugabyteDB Anywhere

    Free trial APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    YBA provides management for YugabyteDB deployments across several infrastructure environments, with operational and recovery controls.

    5.8 Pricing on request Visit site
  20. 20

    Percona Server for MySQL

    Free plan Linux
    5.6 Free plan Visit site
  21. 21

    SAP Extended Enterprise Content Management by OpenText

    by SAP Extended Enterprise Content Management by OpenText
    Paid AndroidiPhoneLinux+4
    5.4 Pricing on request Visit site
  22. 22

    Actian Ingres

    Paid LinuxWindows
    4.7 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
  23. 23

    SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (SAP ASE)

    Paid LinuxWindows
    4.1 Pricing on request · 90-day trial 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

Check whether a tool has a free plan, free trial or open-source licence, and read the limits and licence terms. Compare SQL standard support, included storage, availability SLA, replication, managed backups and the platforms you need.

Questions

Do these SQL databases have free plans?

Free plans are offered by tools in this list. Pricing models and limits differ, so check the individual listing before relying on a free option.

Can I try a database before paying?

Free trials are available for tools in this category. Actian Ingres and Actian Zen list 30-day trials; other trial terms may differ.

Are open-source SQL databases included?

Open-source code is offered by tools in this category. Review the licence for the database you are considering.

Which platforms can these databases run on?

Listed deployment platforms include Linux, self-hosted setups, Windows, API, macOS and web. Confirm the supported option for your planned setup.

What should I compare besides price?

Compare SQL standard support, included storage, availability SLA, replication options, managed backups and deployment choices.

More in Developer Tools