MariaDB vs MySQL: What's the Difference and Which One Should You Use?

If you're working with databases, you've probably heard of MySQL - one of the world's most popular open-source relational database management systems (RDBMS). But have you heard of MariaDB? It's another popular RDBMS that's often compared to MySQL. This post will explore what MariaDB is and how it differs from MySQL.

What is MariaDB?

MariaDB is an open-source RDBMS forked from MySQL in 2009 by its original developers after concerns over the acquisition of MySQL by Oracle Corporation. It's designed to be a drop-in replacement for MySQL, meaning that it's intended to be compatible with MySQL's commands and database structure while providing additional features and improved performance.

What are the critical differences between MariaDB and MySQL?

While MariaDB and MySQL share many similarities, some key differences set them apart. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Licensing: MySQL is owned by Oracle Corporation, which means it's released under the GPL (General Public License) and a proprietary license. In contrast, MariaDB is released under the LGPL (Lesser General Public License) and GPL.

Features: MariaDB provides additional features unavailable in MySQL, such as support for more storage engines, including the Aria and XtraDB engines, improved replication, and faster thread pooling.

Performance: MariaDB offers better performance than MySQL, especially regarding query optimization and overall speed. It achieves this by optimizing the codebase, providing better indexing algorithms, and enhancing the query optimizer.

Community: MariaDB has a more open and active community than MySQL, with more developers' contributions and frequent releases. This means that bugs are fixed faster, and new features are added more frequently.

Which one should you use?

Both MariaDB and MySQL are excellent choices for building scalable, high-performance databases. Ultimately, deciding which one to use depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you need more advanced features, better performance, and a more open community, then MariaDB may be your better option. However, if you're more comfortable with MySQL's traditional architecture, licensing model, and toolset, MySQL may be a better fit.

In conclusion, MariaDB and MySQL are robust open-source RDBMS solutions with unique strengths and weaknesses. By understanding their differences, you can decide which one to use for your next project.