5 Best Database Management Software in 2023
Database management software is an essential tool for developers and analysts. They help businesses organize, sort, and manage their databases for seamless business operations and easy user tracking and verification.
In this article, I am going to outline some of the best database management software, list their important features, and also give you tips on how they work.
What is a Database?
A database can be defined as structured data or information collected for organized storage, access, management, and retrieval using a computer system.
So, If you are a developer, data analyst, or statistician, you probably will be working with databases. For proper management of your database, you need a suitable database management tool.
Types of Databases
There are different types of databases based on purpose and functions.
Some examples include the following:
- Cloud databases
- Graph databases
- Centralized database
- Personal database
- Network DBMS
- Multimodal databases
- OLTP databases
- Relational databases
- NoSQL databases etc.
What is Database Management?
Database management is the process of using a computer system to collect, store, and organize data for easy access and retrieval.
Types of Software for Database Management
The following are examples of software you can use to manage your databases effectively.
1. Dbvisualizer
Dbvisualizer is a tool used by analysts, developers, and DBAs according to their website. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS and connects to all major databases, like Informix, Derby, Exaso, Microsoft SQL Server, etc.
Above all, it has a friendly user interface with a single application mastery. Dbvisualizer is easy to set up and install. It also comes with a light and dark theme, depending on your preference.
Feature
- Advanced SQL feature
- Multiple database connections
- Supports all operating systems
- Highly optimized features
- No coding skills Required
Pricing
- Free Version: Comes With reduced function set
- Pro Version: With 60 days of support
- Per-User, First Year $197.
- 2nd year, onwards
- $69
- Pro Version
With premium support, Per-User, First Year is $229
2nd year, onwards $99
2. Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is a low-code application development platform with a custom app builder. It allows users to build custom applications, forms, sales pages, and more. With over 60 million users, Zoho Creator is easy to use and requires little coding skills.
Interestingly, 90% of Zoho users built their apps on their own. Its friendly user interface lets you configure workflows, integrate your business apps, and connect data from different sources.
It helps you automate your work routine, and perform multiple tasks with just one click. Also, you can create apps with simple drag-and-drop elements and power them with AI to detect language, analyze trends, predict sales, and identify objects without human intervention.
If you are looking for a perfect platform to optimize your business operations with little effort and effective output, Zoho Creator is the best for you.
Features:
- Users access control
- Routine Automation
- Cloud functions
- Multi-device application launch
- Apps integration
- On-premise and Azure hosting
- Ease of migration
- Ai assistant
- Backup & recovery
- Audit management
Pricing:
Basic: $10/user/month billed annually
Premium: $20/user/month billed annually
Ultimate: $35/user/month billed annually
3. Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a scalable, hybrid database platform. SQL Server v1.0 was first released for the OS/2 operating system in 1989. It is a unified data platform that comes with in-built memory performance, advanced security, and in-database analytics.
Also included in this package is apache spark and Hadoop distributed file system(HDFS). You can use it to build mission-critical intelligent apps for online transactions.
According to the NIST vulnerabilities database, the Microsoft SQL Server is one of the least vulnerable databases. That is why you can consider it your best tool for data protection. With the R language, you can analyze data directly within the SQL Server database.
Features
- Data security and protection
- Backup and recovery
- In-database advanced analytics
- Made for hybrid cloud
- Data migration
- Scalability
- Flexible language and platform choice
- Real-time analytics
Pricing
| Editions | Open no level price (US$) | Licensing model | Channel availability |
| Enterprise | $13, 748[1] | 2 core pack | Volume licensing, hosting |
| Standard – per core | $3,586[1] | 2 core pack | Volume licensing, hosting |
| Standard – server | $899[1] | Server[2] | Volume licensing, hosting |
| Standard – CAL | $209 | CAL | Volume licensing, hosting |
| Developer | Free | Per user | Free download |
| Web | See your hosting partner for pricing | Not applicable | Hosting only |
| Express | Free | Not applicable | Free download |
4. Informix
IBM Informix is a flexible database designed with self-managing capabilities. It is a product of the IBM information management division.
Also, it has the ability to integrate SQL and NoSQL/JSON and runs on a variety of Unix platforms. It can be used in data warehouses and application development with embedded data management solutions.
Informix is optimized for OLTP and Internet of Things (IoT) data. With Informix, you can seamlessly develop any kind of application and manage a wide range of data. If you are looking for suitable database management software to build your business application, I recommend Informix for you.
Features
- Real-time analytics
- Data management
- security
- Data manipulation
- Scalability
- Infrastructure compatibility
- Data replication
- Self-managing capabilities
- Query Language
Pricing
It has a free edition that can handle a small production workload. You can contact them for the price of an edition with more functionality.
5. Amazon RDS
Amazon Relational Database Service(RDS) allows businesses to set up, operate and scale their databases in the cloud. It is a highly automated system that handles administrative tasks such as hardware provisioning, database setup, patching, and backup.
It is very secure and compatible to build applications of high performance. Amazon RDS comes with six database engines such as Amazon Aurora, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle Database, MariaDB, and SQLServer.
The ease and security of Amazon RDS make it suitable for migrating your existing database to Amazon RDS using the AWS database migration service.
Features
- Automatic Software patching
- General purpose storage
- Scalability
- Automated backups
- Database snapshots
- Network isolation
- Resource level permission
- Encryption
- Event notification
- Configuration governance
- Cost-effective ( Pay for what you use)
Pricing
AWS offers you a pay-as-you-go approach for pricing for over 160 cloud services. See details from this screenshot from their website:
Conclusion
Managing complex databases can be very daunting, tasking, and cumbersome. However, with the right database software tools you can optimize your database for effective business operations.
Your choice of database management software largely depends on your needs. With the proper evaluation of their features, you can identify which is suitable for your next project.
