MariaDB and MySQL are prominent open-source RDBMSs, but despite their shared history, they have grown apart in terms of features and performance. This article quickly highlights the main differences, helping developers decide which database best suits their needs.

Differences and examples

Storage Engines, MariaDB’s extended support for engines like Aria and MyRocks provides more options than MySQL.

Analytics, with MariaDB’s ColumnStore, developers get built-in analytics capabilities, unlike in MySQL.

Thread Pooling, MariaDB’s thread pooling supports massive concurrency, a feature limited to MySQL’s enterprise tier.

Community Governance, MariaDB is community-governed, whereas MySQL’s development is primarily controlled by Oracle.

FAQ

Can I migrate easily from MySQL to MariaDB?

Yes, MariaDB’s compatibility with MySQL allows for a smooth migration process.

Which is more widely used, MariaDB or MySQL?

MySQL is still far more prevalent, holding over 42% of the market, compared to MariaDB’s 2%.

Which offers better performance, MariaDB or MySQL?

MariaDB typically offers better performance, particularly in scenarios with high concurrency.

How does MySQL Cluster compare to MariaDB Galera?

MySQL Cluster uses NDB, while MariaDB relies on Galera for high availability solutions.

Conclusion

MariaDB and MySQL are powerful tools with distinct features. Depending on your specific needs, one may be more suitable than the other. For a deeper comparison, please check out MariaDB vs MySQL: The Ultimate Comparison.