What is the difference between MariaDB and MySQL?

Cheerag Nundlall · Sep 27, 2023

I'm exploring the differences between MariaDB and MySQL for my database needs. Beyond the initial fork from MySQL, what specific technical distinctions exist between the two? I'm particularly interested in aspects like performance optimizations, storage engines, compatibility, and community support. Any practical insights or real-world use cases that highlight these differences would be greatly appreciated.

Ticaga · Sep 27, 2023

MySQL is the main SQL service, however MariaDB is a fork of MySQL and they've modified it to make it faster. That's why most people use MariaDB because it's faster and it's a drop-in replacement.

MariaDB is also created by the main developers of MySQL before they sold it off. Oracle own MySQL.

MooseLucifer · Sep 28, 2023

MariaDB and MySQL are similar, but MariaDB often offers better performance, additional storage engines, and strong community support. It's a reliable alternative to MySQL with some advantages.

ManagedCpanel · Oct 3, 2023

Origin:
- MySQL was originally developed by a Swedish company, MySQL AB, in the 1990s. It was later acquired by Sun Microsystems and then by Oracle Corporation.
- MariaDB, on the other hand, is a fork of MySQL that was created by the original developers of MySQL, including Michael "Monty" Widenius. It was created in response to concerns about the direction MySQL was taking under Oracle's ownership.
Licensing:
- MySQL is available under a dual licensing model, where it can be used either under the open-source GNU General Public License (GPL) or through a commercial license from Oracle.
- MariaDB is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2. This means it is open-source and free to use.
Compatibility:
- MariaDB aims to be a drop-in replacement for MySQL. In most cases, you can migrate from MySQL to MariaDB with little to no modification to your applications or databases.
- Both MariaDB and MySQL use the same client libraries and APIs, which ensures compatibility with applications designed for one can generally work with the other.
Features and Performance:
- MariaDB and MySQL share many features, such as support for SQL, transactions, indexing, and replication.
- MariaDB often includes some features and enhancements that may not be present in the same form in MySQL. MariaDB also claims to have better performance in some scenarios due to its storage engine optimizations.
Storage Engines:
- Both MariaDB and MySQL support multiple storage engines, including InnoDB, MyISAM, and more. InnoDB is the default storage engine for both, known for its ACID compliance.
- MariaDB has developed its own storage engines like Aria, TokuDB, and ColumnStore.
Community and Development:
- Both databases have active developer and user communities. MariaDB's development is community-driven and has a foundation that oversees its development.
- MySQL's development is primarily controlled by Oracle Corporation, which also offers a commercial version called MySQL Enterprise.
Ecosystem:
- Both MariaDB and MySQL have extensive ecosystems, including various tools, connectors, and plugins that can be used to extend their functionality.

What is the difference between MariaDB and MySQL?

Cheerag Nundlall

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Ticaga

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MooseLucifer

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ManagedCpanel

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