Top 15 Best Database for Web Applications to Use

Digital transformation, whether in small businesses or large enterprises, has revolutionized the way companies generate and manage data. Every organization, regardless of size, requires a database to organize and store critical information. This is where database management systems come into play.

A database is similar to a secure room in an office that houses vital records and data. Considering the nature of the information contained herein, one has to exercise utmost caution while accessing the information. Stored information can be retrieved later to enable data visualization from which important insights can be drawn.

With the advent of technologies like Microservices, Cloud, Distributed Apps, Semi-Structured Data, Big Data, and Low Latency Data, traditional SQL databases have been joined by NoSQL, NewSQL, and Cloud databases.

Let’s dive deeper into the best databases for responsive web application development and some interesting statistics:

• 91% of companies with over 11 employees use CRM software, according to business.com.
• Nucleus Research reports that 65% of organizations involving mobile web development CRM achieves their sales targets.
• Mobile CRM Market Size, Share and Trends Analysis Report by Application, by Region, and Forecast, 2019-2029. The market is expected to grow at an estimated CAGR of 13% from 2019 through 2029.

Now let’s talk about the most popular databases for web applications.

Which is the Best Database for a Web Application?

1. Oracle

Oracle is a most widely used commercial relational database management system (RDBMS) that is developed using assembly languages like C, C++, and Java. The last version for Oracle is 21c that has brought in innovative JSON integration with SQL.

Oracle is utilized due to very efficient storage, fast processing, and wide prevalence of its use in the industries. Oracle is considered as one of the most reliable solutions of RDBMS.

2. MySQL

MySQL is one of the most popular databases, particularly for web applications. Stable, robust, and mature, MySQL has been one of the most widely used databases within the tech industry.

Developed in C and C++, MySQL uses a structured query language to manage data. Its latest version is MySQL 8.0, with enhanced recovery options and in several editions suited to different needs.

3. MS SQL Server

Microsoft’s MS SQL Server is one of the multi-model databases available in the marketplace. It can be used either on-premises or as a cloud platform. It works on both Windows and Linux, supporting Structured Data (SQL), Semi-Structured Data (JSON), and Spatial Data.

While not on par with other contemporary databases, MS SQL Server has evolved in many ways. This makes it suitable for most of the use cases.

4. PostgreSQL

Originally known as POSTGRES, PostgreSQL was developed by a team led by Michael Stonebraker, who later received the Turing Award for his work.

PostgreSQL is a robust database management system written in C, which makes it perfect for businesses that deal with huge amounts of data. It is used by many gaming applications, database automation tools, and domain registration services because of its scalability and reliability.

5. MongoDB

MongoDB was the first document database management system introduced in 2009 to address challenges associated with loading and accessing data in RDBMS using object-oriented programming languages. It gets rid of extra application-level mapping because it handles document data properly, making it the NoSQL database of choice for modern applications.

6. IBM DB2

IBM DB2 is a cross-functional database system, which provides support for DB2 LUW, or Linux, Windows, and Unix. DB2 11.5, the current version, has improved query execution speed and support for much more.

Relational model support is still predominant. However, DB2 now supports object-relational features as well as non-relational structures like JSON and XML. Thus, it is well-suited as an app database for mobile applications.

7. Redis

Redis is one of the most popular open-source database projects, often being ranked as the “Most Loved Database” in Stack Overflow’s Annual Developer Survey.

As a distributed, in-memory key-value database, Redis supports use cases like distributed caching, messaging, and high-speed data operations. Its optional durability feature adds to its flexibility and reliability.

8. Elasticsearch

Elasticsearch is a full-text search engine based on Lucene, developed by Shay Banon in 2010.

It gives distributed, multi-tenanted search capabilities with a REST API, supporting both structured and schema-less data (JSON). Its horizontal scalability and real-time data analysis capabilities make it a favorite of logging and monitoring applications.

9. Cassandra

Cassandra is an open-source, distributed, wide-column store database, which was developed in the year 2008, to cope with enormous data loads.

Known for its decentralized (leaderless) architecture, Cassandra supports automatic and multi-data center replication, ensuring fault tolerance and no single point of failure. Its scalability makes it a preferred choice for industries managing large-scale data.

10. MariaDB

MariaDB is a Relational Database Management System fully compatible with MySQL protocols and clients. It can seamlessly replace MySQL without requiring code modifications.

With columnar storage and parallel distributed data architecture, MariaDB, compared to MySQL, is the more community-developed, providing an excellent basis for open collaborations.

11. OrientDB

OrientDB is an open-source, NoSQL, and multi-model NoSQL database for graph database management, document-oriented, key-value, and object-oriented models all in one.

These all-in-one solutions enhance high performance, improve security, as well as better scalability, being a versatile base for businesses for handling diverse kinds of data as efficiently as needed.

12. SQLite

SQLite is an open-source SQL database that is easy and efficient. It was invented in 2000 as an integrated relational database management system, which doesn’t need any configuration, a server, or installation. Though lightweight, SQLite comes with a great deal of advanced database functionalities. This is the reason it has become a number one choice for mobile web development frameworks like React Native.

13. DynamoDB

DynamoDB is a non-relational, serverless database developed by Amazon. It automatically scales up or down as needed. It has built-in security, in-memory caching, and consistent low latency, making it an excellent choice for mobile app development.

14. Neo4j

Neo4j is a free, Java-based NoSQL graph database which was developed in 2007. It relies on Cypher, a declarative query language optimized for relationships. Unlike typical databases, that rely on tables, Neo4j stores information as graphs to quickly map relationships and query the data. A relationship-focused system allows you to create shortcuts to speed up the access of your domain data.

15. FirebirdSQL

Firebird is a free SQL relational database management system that works on cross-platforms like macOS, Linux, Windows, and Unix. It supports advanced multi-platform RDBMS functionalities with flexible financing options through memberships and sponsorships.

What is the easiest database to use?

The ease of using a database depends on the purpose and the user’s familiarity with database concepts. For beginners, Microsoft SQL Server is often recommended as it offers a straightforward way to learn database essentials. Once the basics are mastered, transitioning to databases like MySQL or Oracle becomes much easier.

Learning SQL statements beforehand, before GUI tools, really helps build a solid foundation. Once you grasp the core concepts, applying them to any database system, including those using GUI interfaces, becomes intuitive.

Which Database Is Best for Python?

Python supports various databases, including SQLite, Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. It adheres to the DB-API standard for database interfaces, allowing developers to use Data Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML), and Data Query Statements seamlessly.

SQLite

SQLite is the easiest and the most widely used SQL database used with Python. SQLite doesn’t require the user to install a third-party library since it already comes as part of Python by the name of sqlite3, making SQLite quite easy to interface with applications made using Python.

Conclusion

Databases are fundamental to the success of web and mobile applications, providing the foundation for data management and scalability. Choosing the right database for your project is critical for ensuring functionality, efficiency, and long-term growth.

To get advice on the best SQL database or application development services, consult us. We are one of the best web development companies in the USA that specializes in creating scalable applications with impressive results for both desktop and mobile platforms.

We hope this list of the best databases for web applications clarifies their usage and has made you understand the importance of even its mere presence across the globe.