Top 10 Best Databases For Web Applications To Use

Databases are the core of modern web applications, reliably storing and managing crucial information. Selecting the right database profoundly impacts an application’s performance and scalability. We examine ten top databases, including SQL options like MySQL and PostgreSQL, and NoSQL solutions such as MongoDB and Redis. This article helps developers and DBAs choose the optimal database by outlining the strengths and weaknesses of each, ultimately improving application efficiency and reducing development complexities.

1. Introduction: The Backbone of Web Applications

Have you ever been stuck waiting for a website to load, or seen an online store crash during a big sale? Chances are, the problem wasn’t the website itself, but the database behind it! A slow or overloaded database can bring even the best web application to its knees.

I. What is a Database?

A database is like a super-organized digital filing cabinet. 🎯 It’s a structured collection of data that’s organized so you can easily find, add, change, and remove information. Think of it as a place to store all the important facts and figures for a web application, like user accounts, product details, and orders. Databases are crucial for web applications because they let them remember information even after you close your browser.

II. What is a Web Application?

A web application is software that you use through a web browser, like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. Think of Gmail, Facebook, or an online shopping website. These applications don’t live on your computer; they run on a server somewhere else. 💡 Web applications rely on databases to store information like your emails, your friends list, and the items in your shopping cart. Without a database, a web application couldn’t remember anything!

III. SQL vs. NoSQL: Two Types of Databases

There are two main types of databases: SQL and NoSQL.

• SQL Databases: These databases use a special language called SQL (Structured Query Language) to manage data. They organize data into tables with rows and columns, kind of like a spreadsheet. They’re great for storing structured information, like customer addresses or product catalogs. Think of these as “schema-on-write” databases. You define the structure of the data before you write it to the database.

• NoSQL Databases: These databases are more flexible. They don’t always use tables and rows. Instead, they might store data as documents, graphs, or key-value pairs. They’re often used for unstructured or semi-structured data, like social media posts or sensor readings. These are “schema-on-read” databases. You can write data without defining the structure beforehand. The structure is determined when you read the data.

Here’s a quick comparison:

IV. Why Choosing the Right Database is Important

Choosing the right database is a big decision! ⚠️ It can affect how fast your web application runs, how well it handles lots of users, and how easy it is to maintain. If you pick the wrong database, you might run into problems like:

• Slow Performance: Your website might take a long time to load.
• Data Errors: Information might get lost or corrupted.
• Scalability Issues: Your website might crash when too many people use it at once.
• Increased Costs: Fixing these problems can be expensive and time-consuming.

V. Top 10 Databases: A Quick Look

In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 databases for web applications. We’ll look at both SQL and NoSQL options, considering things like:

• Performance: How fast the database can handle requests.
• Scalability: How well the database can handle more users and data.
• Community Support: How much help is available if you need it.
• Cost: How much the database costs to use.
• Ease of Use: How easy the database is to learn and use.

We’ll dive into databases like:

1. MySQL
2. PostgreSQL
3. MariaDB
4. MongoDB
5. Redis
6. Amazon DynamoDB
7. Microsoft SQL Server
8. Oracle
9. Cassandra
10. Couchbase

Get ready to find the perfect database to power your next web application!

2. SQL Powerhouses: Reliability and Structure

SQL databases are like the reliable building blocks of the web. They are known for keeping your data safe and organized, making sure everything works as it should. They follow strict rules to ensure that your information is correct and consistent.

I. Introduction to SQL Databases

SQL databases are all about keeping things consistent and reliable. They use a special set of rules, called ACID properties, to make sure your data stays accurate, even when things go wrong.

• Atomicity: Everything in a transaction happens or nothing does.
• Consistency: The database always moves from one valid state to another.
• Isolation: Transactions don’t interfere with each other.
• Durability: Once a transaction is done, it’s saved forever.

SQL databases have been around for a long time, so they have lots of tools and support available. This makes them a great choice for many web applications where data accuracy is key.

II. MySQL

MySQL is a very popular SQL database that’s used by many websites. It’s known for being easy to use and works well in web hosting environments, like the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Python/Perl).

• Open Source: MySQL is free to use, which is a big plus for many developers.
• Large Community: Because so many people use MySQL, there’s a big community ready to help if you have questions or problems.
• Ease of Use: It’s relatively simple to set up and start using, making it a good choice for beginners.

⚠️ Important Note: MySQL is now owned by Oracle.

While MySQL is great for many things, it might not be the best choice for very large applications that need to handle tons of data. Other databases might scale better.

III. PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is another powerful SQL database that’s known for its advanced features and its commitment to following standards. It’s a good choice for complex applications where you need to be sure your data is correct and reliable.

• Advanced Features: PostgreSQL has lots of tools and features that can help you manage your data in powerful ways.
• Standards Compliance: PostgreSQL follows SQL standards closely, which means it works well with other tools and systems.
• Extensibility: You can add new features and functions to PostgreSQL to make it do exactly what you need.
• Active Development: PostgreSQL is always being improved and updated by a team of dedicated developers.

💡 PostgreSQL is known for its adherence to SQL standards. You can find more information about this in the PostgreSQL documentation.

IV. Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a database that works very well with other Microsoft products. It’s often used by businesses that need a reliable and scalable database for important applications.

• Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: SQL Server works seamlessly with other Microsoft tools, like Windows Server and .NET.
• Enterprise-Grade Features: It includes advanced features for security, performance, and data management.
• Scalability: SQL Server can handle large amounts of data and many users.

⚠️ Important Note: You need to pay for a license to use Microsoft SQL Server. This can be a significant cost for some organizations.

💡 Microsoft SQL Server offers comprehensive features for business intelligence. You can find more information about this in the Microsoft SQL Server documentation.

4. Other Notable Database Options

While MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Redis are popular choices, several other databases are worth considering for your web application. These databases offer unique features and benefits that might be a better fit for specific needs.

I. SQLite

SQLite is a different kind of database. 💡 Instead of running as a separate server, it’s “serverless.” This means the database lives directly in a file on your computer.

• What it is: SQLite is a self-contained, high-reliability, embedded, full-featured, public-domain, SQL database engine. (Source: SQLite documentation)
• How it works: Your web application talks directly to the SQLite file.
• Why use it: SQLite is great for small web applications, prototypes, or embedded systems because it’s super easy to set up. You don’t need to install or configure a database server. It’s also useful for testing.

Pros:

• Zero configuration: Just include the SQLite library in your project.
• Easy to use: It uses standard SQL.
• Portable: The entire database is in a single file.

Cons:

• Limited scalability: Not suitable for high-traffic websites.
• Concurrency limitations: Can struggle with many simultaneous users writing to the database.

Example Use Case: A simple blog or a small tool where only a few people access it at the same time.

II. Cassandra

Cassandra is built for handling huge amounts of data across many servers. ⚠️ It’s designed to stay online even if some of the servers have problems.

• What it is: Cassandra is a distributed NoSQL database designed for fault tolerance and scalability. (Source: Cassandra documentation)
• How it works: Data is spread across many machines, so no single machine is a point of failure.
• Why use it: If you have a web application that needs to handle tons of data and stay online no matter what, Cassandra might be a good choice.

Pros:

• High availability: Continues to work even if some servers fail.
• Scalability: Can handle massive amounts of data by adding more servers.
• Handles High write workloads: Great for applications with many updates.

Cons:

• Complex setup: Setting up and managing a Cassandra cluster can be tricky.
• Operational overhead: Requires specialized knowledge to operate effectively.
• Data consistency: Data consistency is tunable, so it may not be strongly consistent by default.

Example Use Case: Social media websites, where lots of people are posting and sharing information all the time.

III. Amazon DynamoDB

DynamoDB is a database service offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It’s a NoSQL database that’s fully managed, meaning AWS takes care of all the server stuff for you.

• What it is: DynamoDB is a serverless, fully managed NoSQL database service.
• How it works: You don’t have to worry about servers, scaling, or backups. AWS handles it all.
• Why use it: DynamoDB is great for web applications that need to scale up quickly and handle lots of traffic.

Pros:

• Scalability: Automatically scales to handle your application’s traffic.
• Performance: Designed for fast performance, even at scale.
• Fully managed: AWS handles all the operational tasks.

Cons:

• Cost: The cost structure can be complex and unpredictable. It depends on the amount of data stored and the number of requests made.
• AWS dependency: You are locked into the AWS ecosystem.

Example Use Case: Online gaming platforms or e-commerce sites that experience sudden spikes in traffic.

Recommended reading

• SQL Optimization Course
• SQL optimization knowledge
• Database industry knowledge

What is SQLFlash?

SQLFlash is your AI-powered SQL Optimization Partner.

Based on AI models, we accurately identify SQL performance bottlenecks and optimize query performance, freeing you from the cumbersome SQL tuning process so you can fully focus on developing and implementing business logic.

How to use SQLFlash in a database?

• SQLFlash + MySQL

• SQLFlash + PostgreSQL