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Enterprise Software · head to head

Java vs MySQL

Java logo

Java

Enterprise Software

Write once, run anywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MySQL logo

MySQL

Web Development

The world's most popular open source database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Java windows support limited to 64-bit operating systems only; MySQL hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component
  • They diverge on capability: Java covers Object-oriented programming, MySQL covers ACID compliance.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Java and MySQL actually diverge.

Attributes where Java and MySQL differ
AttributeJavaMySQL
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Linux, macOSWindows, Macos, Linux, Unix
CategoryEnterprise SoftwareWeb Development

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), founded (1995).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Java

  • Object-oriented programming
  • Platform independence
  • Automatic memory management
  • Multithreading
  • Rich standard library
  • Strong typing
  • Exception handling
  • Reflection

Only in MySQL

  • ACID compliance
  • SQL support
  • Multi-version concurrency control
  • Replication
  • Partitioning
  • Stored procedures
  • Triggers
  • Views

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Java

  • Enterprise application developmentnot MySQL
  • Android application developmentnot MySQL
  • Server-side and backend servicesnot MySQL
  • Large-scale distributed systemsnot MySQL

MySQL

  • Web application backendnot Java
  • E-commerce platformsnot Java
  • Content management systemsnot Java
  • Data warehousingnot Java
  • Business applicationsnot Java

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Java

  • Windows support limited to 64-bit operating systems only
  • Linux installation requires manual path configuration for most installation methods
  • macOS support limited to Intel x64 and Apple Silicon (AArch64) architectures

MySQL

  • Hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component
  • Transparent Data Encryption, data masking and de-identification are Enterprise Edition only
  • MySQL Enterprise Firewall, which guards against SQL injection, and MySQL Enterprise Audit are both paid components
  • External authentication against PAM or Windows Active Directory requires MySQL Enterprise Authentication
  • The thread pool ships as MySQL Enterprise Scalability rather than in the community build

Pricing, plan by plan

Java

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Java review.

MySQL

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Open source license
    • Full SQL support
    • InnoDB storage engine
  • Standard Edition$2000/year
    • Commercial license
    • Oracle Premier Support
    • MySQL Enterprise backup
  • Enterprise Edition$5000/year
    • Advanced security
    • MySQL Enterprise Monitor
    • High Availability

Which should you pick?

Choose Java if

  • You need object-oriented programming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, macOS.
  • You also want platform independence.
Java review

Choose MySQL if

  • You need acid compliance.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix.
  • You also want sql support.
MySQL review

Questions people ask

Is Java or MySQL better?
Neither clearly leads. Java starts at Free and MySQL at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Java or MySQL?
Java starts at Free and MySQL at Free.
Does Java or MySQL run on more platforms?
Java runs on Windows, Linux, macOS. MySQL runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix.
Can I use Java for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Java best used for?
Java is most often used for enterprise application development, android application development, server-side and backend services, large-scale distributed systems. Of those, enterprise application development and android application development are not what MySQL is typically brought in for.
What can Java do that MySQL cannot?
Java covers Object-oriented programming, Platform independence, Automatic memory management, Multithreading. MySQL covers ACID compliance, SQL support, Multi-version concurrency control, Replication.
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