MariaDB Vs MySQL – Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing the right database for your project can be hard, especially with so many options. MariaDB and MySQL are both widely used choices for different applications in web development. In this guide, we shall walk through the two, learn about their differences, and find the suitable one for your needs. 

So let’s tackle this battle of MariaDB Vs MySQL.

What is MariaDB?

MariaDB is an open source powerful relational database management system developed as a compatible platform for MySQL. It is designed to enhance performance, scalability, and security while remaining fully compatible with MySQL. 

MariaDB’s key features include: 

• Open source and community supported. 

• Optimized query execution, parallel processing, and improved benchmarks.
• Advanced encryption, role-based access control (RBAC), and multiple authentication methods.
• Seamless migration and full compatibility with MySQL connectors.
• Features multi-source, synchronous, and asynchronous replication.
• Offers JSON functions and extensive SQL enhancements for diverse data handling.
• Runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, and cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud.
• Frequent updates, new features, and long-term support versions for stability.

What is MySQL?

MySQL is a popular open-source RDBMS, known for its reliability, scalability, and performance. It is maintained by Oracle Corporation and supports a wide range of applications from small scale websites to large enterprise systems. 

Key features of MySQL include: 

• Free to use MySQL Community Edition, with premium features available in enterprise versions.
• Fast query execution with optimized storage and indexing for large data.
• Supports vertical and horizontal scaling for small to enterprise-level applications.
• Compatible with various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS.
• Offers master-slave, multi-source, and group replication for high availability.
• Provides data encryption, user authentication, and role-based access control (RBAC).
• Simple setup, user-friendly interfaces, and tools like MySQL Workbench for database design and management.
• Backed by a vast community of developers and extensive documentation.

Key Differences Between MariaDB Vs MySQL

Feature	MariaDB	MySQL
Origin	Forked from MySQL by the original developers in 2009.	Developed by MySQL AB, now owned by Oracle Corporation.
Licensing	Fully open-source under GPL license.	Open-source (Community Edition) and proprietary (Enterprise Edition).
Performance	Optimized for faster query execution and analytics.	Strong performance but may lag in certain benchmarks compared to MariaDB.
Storage Engines	Supports more engines like Aria, MyRocks, and ColumnStore.	Limited to engines like InnoDB (default) and MyISAM.
Replication	Includes Galera Cluster for multi-master replication.	Supports group replication but lacks built-in Galera support.
JSON Functions	Enhanced JSON support for semi-structured data.	Provides basic JSON functions for data handling.
Encryption	Advanced encryption for data at rest and in transit.	Provides encryption but may require paid features for advanced options.
Community Support	Managed by the MariaDB Foundation with active contributions.	Managed by Oracle, with a strong but less independent community.
Compatibility	Maintains backward compatibility with MySQL.	May introduce proprietary changes affecting compatibility.
Development Updates	Regular updates with faster feature rollouts.	Slower update cycles, especially for the open-source version.

MariaDB vs MySQL: Performance Comparison

• Query Execution:

MariaDB has faster query execution due to parallel processing for analytics workload, whereas, MySQL has a stable yet slower processing for query-intensive tasks. 

• Storage Engines:

MariaDB supports diverse engines such as MyRock, Aria, and ColumnStore according to the use case. MySQL is limited to InnoDB or MyISAM engines. 

• Replication:

MariaDB is an advanced multi-source replication and Galera Cluster for synchronous multi-master setup, whereas MySQL lacks native multi-master support for replication. 

• Scalability:

MariaDB excels in distributed environments with sharding and Galera Cluster, however, MySQL only scales effectively in traditional setups. 

• Bulk Operations:

MariaDB has faster bulk inserts and updates as compared to MySQL. 

• Concurrency Management:

MariaDB has efficient thread pooling and caching for high concurrency environments whereas MySQL uses a connection based thread handling. 

MariaDB vs MySQL: Compatibility and Features

• Compatibility:

MariaDB is fully backward compatible with MySQL, which is compatible with Oracle features. 

• Storage Engines:

MariaDB offers additional engines like TokuDB and MyRocks for specialized tasks. MySQL focuses on InnoDB primarily. 

• JSON Support:

MariaDB has enhanced JSON features for complex, semi-structured data handling, MySQL only has the basic JSON functionality. 

• Tool Integration:

MariaDB works with tools like Workbench and MySQL has seamless transactions with Oracle’s ecosystem. 

• Feature Rollouts:

MariaDB supports faster, community-driven updates with frequent new features. Whereas MySQL has slower open-source updates; enterprise features are often paid.

MariaDB vs MySQL: Security and Updates

• Encryption:

MariaDB supports advanced encryption for data at rest and in transit including RSA key rotation. MySQL only supports basic encryption. 

• Authentication:

MariaDB supports PAM, LDAP, Kerberos, and other plugins. Whereas MySQL only supports basic authentication, extended in paid editions.

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):

MariaDB has comprehensive RBAC for better user management whereas MySQL includes RBAC but varies between editions.

Use Cases for MariaDB and MySQL

For better understanding, here are a few use cases of both MariaDB and MySQL. 

Use Cases for MariaDB

1. Analytics and big data applications use MariaDB advanced storage engines like ColumnStore so that it can handle large sets of data and analytics. 
2. For scalable distributed systems MariaDB is perfect because of Galera Cluster and sharding support as it required horizontal scalability and high availability.  

Use Cases for MySQL

1. Traditional web applications are an excellent use case for MySQL due to its CMS platform, reliability, and simplicity. 
2. Enterprise grade systems also require MySQL due to it’s seamless integration with Oracle tools and support. 

Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?

To wrap up our article, you should ideally choose MariaDB if; 

• You need to process a large amount of data. 
• You need advanced scalability and replication for features like Galera Cluster. 
• You need an open source solution with fast updates. 

Choose MySQL if;

• You rely on Oracle’s ecosystem or need enterprise grade support. 
• Stability is a priority.
• You use traditional web or database applications. 

At the end of the day, MariaDB is a better option due to its open source and performance driven nature with a scalable environment. Whereas, MySQL is a better choice for applications that need stability, enterprise integration, and legacy compatibility. 

Frequently Asked Questions