Top 5 Most Popular Databases in 2023

Businesses run on data. But to get the most from that data, it needs to be stored in a structured way – usually in a database. If there’s a lot of data or if you need to do more than just basic analysis, Excel or any other spreadsheet might not be enough. This is why we have Database Management Systems (DBMSs).

DBMSs help you store, organize, access, and analyze your data. The most popular databases usually use SQL and model your data using multiple tables, which are made up of rows and columns. This structure makes processing and data querying efficient, which means you can easily access, manage, modify, and update information as needed.

So how can you choose the database that meets your needs??

It comes as a good practice to compare data from different sources when choosing the database that best meets your needs. At LearnSQL.com while preparing this article we’ve analyzed many reports on the most popular databases. From now on let's focus on data from StackOverflow Annual Survey, DB-Engines, and Red9.

• StackOverflow’s report divides its results into three categories: data from all respondents, professional developers, and learners. Votes are distributed differently, but the first five places belong to the same databases regardless.

When it comes to the details, the professionals said the best solution is PostgreSQL, while MySQL was the most frequently preferred option for those who are learning SQL.

• The DB-Engines ranking is updated monthly, so you can check the rank of your favorite database almost like the stock market. The top five looks like this:

Notice that SQLite has fallen to ninth place, while Oracle has taken the top spot.

DB-Engines ranking has a few nice features. After clicking on a database, you can see a description of it. You can also choose two different databases to compare them via a summary.

• The Red9 ranking also allows you to compare database popularity, but it shows the data on a graph. It is updated monthly too and offers a short description of every ranked system.

According to Red9, the first place belongs to Oracle, followed by MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, and Microsoft SQL Server, with PostgreSQL coming in sixth.

At LearnSQL.com , we have analyzed the aforementioned rankings from, StackOverflow,? Red9, and DB-Engines to arrive at the 2023 prediction. If a database is ranked high in every survey, it must mean something.

One thing is certain, as, in previous years, 2023 will also be the year of relational databases. Although they have been helping businesses grow for years, their position is still unthreatened by the NoSQL movement.

1. ? PostgreSQL

This is an open-source, free object-relational DBMS that has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years. An increasing number of major companies are using this DBMS. It works on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and some versions of Linux and Unix.?

PostgreSQL has a very active community of users developing plugins and libraries. If you think that this system might be for you, you can find out more in our article on how to practice PostgreSQL.

2. ? MySQL

This DBMS has been at the top of many rankings for years now. Red9 says that it is the world's most popular database for the web. It is used by Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WordPress and comes with a solid pack of useful features.

MySQL is a really good choice for beginners. The basic version is available as an open-source system and it’s just fine for taking your first steps with SQL.

3. ? Oracle

This is one of the most popular and stable relational databases, especially for enterprises. It works for structured and semi-structured data, supports blockchain tables, facilitates lightning-fast transactions, and helps create online analytical processing and transaction processing in a single database instance.?

Huge companies like eBay, LinkedIn, Netflix use it for their transactions. However, this DBMS is not open source and or low-cost, which makes it less suited for beginners or small businesses.

4. ? Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft’s database is another paid system that is, like Oracle, used mainly in enterprise applications. MS SQL Server gained popularity over the years and has an advantage over Oracle in terms of pricing.

5. ? MongoDB

Last but not least is a database system that’s a bit different. MongoDB is not a relational database like the ones mentioned above. This is a document store (also called a document-oriented database system) based on NoSQL. It stores data inside a collection of documents – not in rows and columns like most other databases.

MongoDB is one of the most popular non-relational databases. It is available as a fully managed Cloud service and for deployment on self-managed infrastructure. It is used by Google, Facebook, Adobe, and other companies.

There are many DBMSs on the market and most of the major ones use SQL. Regardless of the database you currently working on or learning to operate in, knowledge of SQL will prove to be a handy tool in the future. Check out the courses we’ve developed for you to practice each dialect of SQL at LearnSQL.com courses explorer

This article is based on the work of?Kamila Ostrowska's, "The Most Popular Databases in 2023 ", you might want to check it out.