Apache Derby vs. H2 Database Engine

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Apache Derby
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
Apache Derby is an embedded relational database management system, originally developed by IBM and called IBM Cloudscape.N/A
H2 Database
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
H2 Database Engine is an open source, embeddable database management system (RDMS) written in Java.N/A
Pricing
Apache DerbyH2 Database Engine
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apache DerbyH2 Database
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apache DerbyH2 Database Engine
Considered Both Products
Apache Derby
Chose Apache Derby
SQLite is another open-source zero-cost file-based SQL-capable database solution and is a good alternative to Apache Derby, especially for non-Java-based solutions. We chose Apache Derby as it is Java-based, and so is the solution we embedded it in. However, SQLite has a …
Chose Apache Derby
For our particular use case, Apache was selected for its ease of use, in its ability to be installed, configured and embedded in our in-house application.
H2 Database
Chose H2 Database
While both can run as an in-memory database, H2 Database Engine was just so much easier for us to use since we primarily use the Java stack and H2 Database Engine is also built with Java.
Chose H2 Database
Both MySQL & H2 [Database Engine] are relational databases & use same query language. Application features can be implemented with both but if it's expected that the application will be used by large user base or is complex MySQL is better. Cloud providers provide scaling …
Best Alternatives
Apache DerbyH2 Database Engine
Small Businesses
SQLite
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Score 9.6 out of 10
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Score 8.8 out of 10
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SQLite
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Score 9.6 out of 10
SQLite
SQLite
Score 9.6 out of 10
Enterprises
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User Ratings
Apache DerbyH2 Database Engine
Likelihood to Recommend
7.0
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apache DerbyH2 Database Engine
Likelihood to Recommend
Derby is absolutely the best when it comes to needing a small, embeddable RDBMS in your applications. Certain jobs, like Risk Modeling, are perfect for a database that is small enough to fit into memory with no trouble then store data from various sources, and then allow a user to access those data sets quickly.
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This really depends on the use case. For an in-memory replacement database for running unit test cases with, H2 Database Engine is an excellent option. However, if you are looking for a general purpose database for your production systems, then H2 Database Engine is not suited for this purpose.
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Pros
  • Embedded SQL-capable database client and server
  • Good performance for a file-based database
  • Zero cost open source solution
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  • Can run as an in-memory database.
  • Simple and quick to get started with, and is light weight (only 2MB).
  • SQL compliant so it compatible with most relational databases.
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Cons
  • Not as well positioned in the market as the "big dogs" (Oracle, MSSQL)
  • Been around awhile, and not a lot of exposure. This I believe is primarily due to it's relation to the Apache Project (which is not bad, but they don't force big, lumbering corporate volume licensing on you), and thus people are a bit gun-shy about NOT throwing money at something
  • Java is still "slow" compared to C/C++, thus making Derby a bit slow too
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  • There's a warning in official FAQ "Is it Reliable?"-section which makes it seem like H2 is not yet a mature product.
  • If raw SQL queries are used there maybe be differences between MySQL & H2. ORM library should be used.
  • Support seems to be community-based only.
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Alternatives Considered
SQLite is another open-source zero-cost file-based SQL-capable database solution and is a good alternative to Apache Derby, especially for non-Java-based solutions. We chose Apache Derby as it is Java-based, and so is the solution we embedded it in. However, SQLite has a similar feature set and is widely used in the industry to serve the same purposes for native solutions such as C or C++-based products.
Read full review
Both MySQL & H2 [Database Engine] are relational databases & use same query language. Application features can be implemented with both but if it's expected that the application will be used by large user base or is complex MySQL is better. Cloud providers provide scaling support for MySQL and also it's more battle-tested. H2 is good when it's a small application as H2 is easier & quicker to set up.
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Return on Investment
  • Saved money on database licensing.
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  • Doesn't take time from developers, once it's configs are set up for testing it works in everyone's development environments
  • Easy to integrate in application, no need to setup separate database software, no maintenance
  • No need to deal with infrastructure related issues/costs - database runs in same machine as the application that uses it.
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