Top 10 Database Management Systems for Enterprise Use in 2025

Organizations must use effective tools to manage their data efficiently. A database management system (DBMS) is important for organizing, storing, and retrieving data for your project or business. We will explore the benefits of using a DBMS and some of its features, and then look at the top ten database management platforms that stand out as the best database software for anyone who needs to get started with databases.

A database management system (DBMS) is a software application for managing a database. It enables users to build, modify, and query databases while handling security and access controls. The primary functions of a DBMS include:

1. Data Storage: It provides a structured way to store your data.
2. Data Organization: It ensures that you organize data in a structured format that is easy to retrieve and manipulate.
3. Data Security: The security and integrity of data is provided by a DBMS.
4. User Management: It provides simultaneous access by multiple users to data without any conflicts.
5. Efficient Data Access: A DBMS optimizes the way that data is stored and retrieved, so users can easily access the information quickly.

Database management systems can be broadly categorized into two types based on their architecture and data storage models:

A Relational Database Management System organizes data into tables with defined relationships. It uses Structured Query Language (SQL) for managing and manipulating data. The best database systems include:

1. MySQL
2. PostgreSQL
3. Microsoft SQL Server
4. SQLite

NoSQL DBMSs do not rely on traditional table-based structures. They handle large volumes of unstructured or semi-structured data. They can take the form of Documents, Key Value Pairs, Graphs, or even be multi-model. Examples of NoSQL DBMS include:

1. MongoDB
2. Cassandra
3. Redis

A robust database management system offers several key features:

1. Data Security: Ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive information.
2. Data Consistency: Maintains the accuracy and consistency of data across the database.
3. Multi-user Support: Allows concurrent access by multiple users without compromising data integrity.
4. Centralized Data Storage: Provides a single repository for all organizational data.
5. Efficient Data Access: Implements indexing and query optimization techniques for faster retrieval.

The StackOverflow Developer Survey provides valuable insights into the current state of the coding community. It explores various topics, including programming languages, AI adoption, and the evolving work environment for developers. This Survey also highlights trends in database management systems, revealing which platforms are gaining traction among developers worldwide.

PostgreSQL debuted in the StackOverflow Developer Survey in 2018 when 33% of developers reported using it, compared with the most popular option that year: MySQL, in use by59% of developers. Six years later,PostgreSQL is used by about49% of developers and is the most popular database for the second year in a row.

Other notable databases include SQLite (33.1%), Microsoft SQL Server (25.3%), and MongoDB (24.8%). This shift highlights a growing preference for databases that offer more flexibility and advanced functionalities, suggesting that developers are increasingly seeking out tools that can meet modern application demands.

Based on recent surveys and industry trends, let’s look at the top ten database management platforms for professionals and amateurs alike:

PostgreSQL is a powerful open-source relational database that has been around since 1986. It offers advanced features like object-relational capabilities, allowing custom data types and complex relationships. Its features like a strong transaction system, multi-version concurrency control, and extensibility make it a favorite for developers as it is used by 48.7% of developers based on the annual survey done by StackOverflow.

PostgreSQL’s flexible data modeling options include arrays, JSON, and key-value pairs. You can define custom data types, create tables with these types, and insert and retrieve data using SQL queries. Relationships between tables can be established using primary and foreign keys, enabling complex data structures. 

MySQL is an open-source relational database management system developed by Oracle. It is renowned for its speed, reliability, and ease of use in handling structured data across web and enterprise applications. MySQL operates on a client-server model, supporting multiple storage engines and providing strong performance for transactional and analytical workloads with several SQL capabilities.

The database offers advanced features like full-text indexing, replication, partitioning, and distributed database support through technologies like HeatWave MySQL. It has integrations across different cloud platforms including Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure.

SQLite is a simple, serverless, self-contained, SQL database engine. It works without a need for a separate server process, allowing applications to read and write to disk files directly, easing deployment and reducing overhead. This year 33% of all professionals used SQLite because it is highly portable and can be easily integrated into different applications across platforms like mobile devices and desktop environments.

The database engine comes with many SQL features such as ACID-compliant transactions, multi-column indexes, and JSON data types. Its zero-configuration nature means there are no setup procedures or administrative tasks required, making it a perfect choice for developers seeking a lightweight yet powerful database solution.

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system designed for enterprises. It has been used by just over 25% of all survey respondents. As it is a part of the Microsoft Data Platform, it offers powerful tools for data analysis, reporting, and integration with other Microsoft products, making it an attractive option for businesses already using the Microsoft ecosystem. This platform excels in handling large volumes of transactions with high availability.

Key features include advanced security measures, automated backups, and performance-tuning options that help maintain optimal operation. SQL Server also supports various programming languages, enabling developers to work in their preferred environments using powerful database capabilities.

You can learn about working with SQL Server Express on ToolJet here.

MongoDB MongoDB is a NoSQL database that stores data in JSON-like documents which makes it easy to store and retrieve complex, hierarchical data structures. For applications that need faster development and higher scalability, it’s great. According to the survey, just shy of 25% of professionals worldwide use MongoDB.

The main features of MongoDB are high performance, horizontal scalability, automatic sharding, and advanced indexing. MongoDB ATLAS lets you deploy and scale your MongoDB databases on multiple cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Redis is an open-source, in-memory data store used as a database, cache, and message broker. It works with data types like strings, hashes, lists, and sets, enabling fast and flexible data operations. Redis is designed to be fast and offers sub-millisecond latency, making it ideal for real-time applications.

Redis has features like data persistence, replication, and clustering for scalability. It is a popular choice among professionals , with 20% using it in 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey. Additionally, it’s compatible with cloud platforms like AWS ElastiCache and Azure Cache which helps with scaling distributed systems.

MariaDB Server is a general-purpose open-source relationaldatabase management system. It’s one of the most popular database servers in the world with over 17% of developers using it, along with widely-known organizations like Wikipedia, WordPress.com, and Google. MariaDB Server is released under the GPLv2 open source license and is guaranteed to remain open-source.

In addition to MySQL’s feature set, MariaDB has better features like parallel replication, optimized subquery handling, and faster privilege checks for systems with multiple user accounts. It supports modern data formats, including JSON and GIS, and includes features like recursive common table expressions and instant schema changes.

Oracle Database is a multimodel database management system with a comprehensive data solution across all deployment options including on-premise to cloud. The new Oracle Database 23ai integrates advanced AI capabilities, which include Vector Search and machine learning, to provide semantic content querying and retrieval, as well as generation techniques augmented with content querying and retrieval directly within the enterprise’s database infrastructure.

Oracle provides flexible database technologies like Autonomous Database, Exadata, Cloud Services which offer high performance and security, and make database management simple. It is a platform that supports various data models, programming languages, workloads, and features such as JSON Relational Duality and global data distribution with strong enterprise security mechanisms that allow organizations to shift their data management and application development strategies across on-premises and cloud environments.

Amazon DynamoDB is a serverless NoSQL database service that supports key-value and document data models and is designed to build scalable applications without the need for server management. DynamoDB is designed to run high-performance, internet-scale applications that would overburden traditional relational databases. It also offers limitless scalability with consistent single-digit millisecond performance and up to 99.999% availability. According to StackOverflow, it is used by 7.9% of professionals worldwide.

DynamoDB has a flexible schema so that each item in a table can have different attributes without the structure constraints of pre-defined structures. It provides ACID transactions for critical workloads, making it possible to make changes to multiple items. Global tables also give you active replication across different AWS Regions for better application resilience and performance. Fine-grained access control by AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), encryption at REST, and point-in-time recovery features are used to secure the data against accidental data loss.

Firestore is a fully managed, serverless document database developed by Google Cloud. It offers a JSON-compatible data storage solution with powerful scaling and performance capabilities. Firebase has a strong query engine for sophisticated queries, vector search, and ACID transactions, supporting flexible data structuring and efficient management of complex application requirements on mobile, web, and IoT platforms. Over 5% of professionals use Cloud FireStore according to the survey.

The database features built-in live synchronization, offline support, and multi-region replication with a 99.999% availability guarantee, allowing seamless data sharing between Firestore and BigQuery. It works with existing AI services and generative AI libraries like LangChain and Llamaindex, offering extensive development libraries for Web, iOS, Android, and other server-side languages such as Node.js, Java, Go, Ruby, and PHP.

Selecting the right database management system is important for your organization. Try to think about these points when choosing a database application software:

Understand Query Patterns

Understand your query patterns when choosing a database management system. Determine whether your application requires simple key-based retrieval or more complex queries involving multiple parameters and fuzzy searches. If your needs are primarily key-based, a key-value store may suffice, while complex querying needs relational or document databases.

Pros and Cons of Each Platform

Assess the advantages and disadvantages of each database platform based on your specific use case. Consider factors such as performance, flexibility, and data integrity to ensure the chosen system meets operational needs. A thorough comparison will help you identify which DBMS aligns best with your business requirements and objectives.

Scalability Requirements

Evaluate your application’s scalability needs to ensure the database can grow with your business. Determine whether vertical scaling (enhancing a single server’s capacity) or horizontal scaling (distributing data across multiple servers) is more appropriate for your use case. 

Community Support and Documentation

Look for the level of community support and documentation available for each database provider. A vibrant community can provide valuable resources, troubleshooting assistance, and shared experiences that greatly help your ability to build and maintain the database effectively.

Look at our guide on ToolJet for more information on choosing the correct data source for your project.

Let’s now look at ToolJet; It is an open-source, low-code platform that helps organizations build custom internal tools quickly. It is also a scalable, no-code Database Management System that works really well. In addition to that, ToolJet seamlessly integrates with all the databases we’ve discussed above and has a growing list of integrations available to connect to your existing tools.

ToolJet offers a suite of features designed to improve application development like a drag-and-drop interface that lets you build applications without extensive coding knowledge and a growing set of powerful integrations, an intuitive low-code query builder, and worklfows that allows team members to collaborate on automate critical business processes. Integrating your chosen database management system with ToolJet can drastically decrease build times and increase productivity.

As modern organizations are driven by data more and more, it is flowing through complex systems and powering decisions in all industries.  From the most popular database PostgreSQL’s relational capabilities to the most diverse MongoDB’s flexible document-based approach, businesses now have many options for managing their increasing data management requirements.

By selecting the right database management system and integrating it ToolJet, organizations can significantly improve their data management strategies, add better security protocols, ensure consistency across datasets, and have better decision-making processes within their operations.