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Databases · head to head

Oracle Database vs SAP BusinessObjects

Oracle Database logo

Oracle Database

Databases

The world's most complete, reliable, and secure database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SAP BusinessObjects logo

SAP BusinessObjects

Business Intelligence

Enterprise business intelligence suite

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Oracle Database has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Oracle Database high licensing costs for Enterprise Edition with option packs potentially doubling the effective per-processor cost; SAP BusinessObjects sAP BusinessObjects Private Cloud Edition is listed on UK G-Cloud 14 as a Cloud software service by SAP (UK) Limited titled 'SAP Business Objects Private Cloud Edition', alongside a reseller listing from NTT DATA Business Solutions; the G-Cloud search results describe it as subscription-based but show no per-user or per-month figure in the listing summary
  • They diverge on capability: Oracle Database covers PL/SQL, SAP BusinessObjects covers Crystal Reports.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Oracle Database and SAP BusinessObjects actually diverge.

Attributes where Oracle Database and SAP BusinessObjects differ
AttributeOracle DatabaseSAP BusinessObjects
Starting priceFree$400/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsOn-premises, Oracle Cloud, Linux, Windows, UnixWeb, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryDatabasesBusiness Intelligence
Founded19771972

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Oracle Database

  • PL/SQL
  • Real Application Clusters
  • Data Guard
  • Advanced Compression
  • Partitioning
  • In-memory Database
  • Multitenant Architecture
  • Oracle Cloud

Only in SAP BusinessObjects

  • Crystal Reports
  • Web Intelligence
  • Lumira
  • Analysis for Office
  • Live Office
  • SAP HANA
  • SAP ERP
  • Oracle

What people use each for

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

Oracle Database

  • Transaction processingnot SAP BusinessObjects
  • Data storagenot SAP BusinessObjects
  • Application backendnot SAP BusinessObjects
  • Reportingnot SAP BusinessObjects
  • Data analyticsnot SAP BusinessObjects

SAP BusinessObjects

  • Enterprise reportingnot Oracle Database
  • Executive dashboardsnot Oracle Database
  • Regulatory compliancenot Oracle Database
  • Strategic planningnot Oracle Database
  • Operational analyticsnot Oracle Database

Where each one falls short

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

Oracle Database

  • High licensing costs for Enterprise Edition with option packs potentially doubling the effective per-processor cost
  • Requires skilled database administrators for proper setup, configuration, and maintenance
  • High hardware requirements increase infrastructure costs; less suitable for resource-constrained environments

SAP BusinessObjects

  • SAP BusinessObjects Private Cloud Edition is listed on UK G-Cloud 14 as a Cloud software service by SAP (UK) Limited titled 'SAP Business Objects Private Cloud Edition', alongside a reseller listing from NTT DATA Business Solutions; the G-Cloud search results describe it as subscription-based but show no per-user or per-month figure in the listing summary

Pricing, plan by plan

Oracle Database

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Oracle Database review.

SAP BusinessObjects

$400/month
  • Standard$400/month
    • Core BI Tools
    • Web Intelligence
    • Crystal Reports
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Full Suite
    • Advanced Features
    • Premium Support

Which should you pick?

Choose Oracle Database if

  • You need pl/sql.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on On-premises, Oracle Cloud, Linux, Windows, Unix.
  • You also want real application clusters.
Oracle Database review

Choose SAP BusinessObjects if

  • You need crystal reports.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want web intelligence.
SAP BusinessObjects review

Questions people ask

Is Oracle Database or SAP BusinessObjects better?
Neither clearly leads. Oracle Database starts at Free and SAP BusinessObjects at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Oracle Database or SAP BusinessObjects?
Oracle Database has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Oracle Database and $400/month for SAP BusinessObjects.
Does Oracle Database or SAP BusinessObjects run on more platforms?
Oracle Database runs on On-premises, Oracle Cloud, Linux, Windows, Unix. SAP BusinessObjects runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Oracle Database for free?
Yes. Oracle Database has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SAP BusinessObjects starts at $400/month.
What is Oracle Database best used for?
Oracle Database is most often used for transaction processing, data storage, application backend, reporting. Of those, transaction processing and data storage are not what SAP BusinessObjects is typically brought in for.
What can Oracle Database do that SAP BusinessObjects cannot?
Oracle Database covers PL/SQL, Real Application Clusters, Data Guard, Advanced Compression. SAP BusinessObjects covers Crystal Reports, Web Intelligence, Lumira, Analysis for Office.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Oracle Database: What is the licensing cost of Oracle Database Enterprise Edition?

Oracle Database Enterprise Edition is priced at 47,500 USD per processor as of April 2026. Named User Plus licensing costs 950 USD per user. Pricing varies based on licensing metric chosen.

Source
Oracle Database: Does Oracle Database offer a free tier or trial?

Oracle Database offers Oracle Database Free Edition, a no-cost version for development and testing. However, no free trial is available for paid editions.

Source
Oracle Database: What are the deployment options for Oracle Database?

Oracle Database can be deployed on premises or through Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. Pricing and features vary based on deployment model selected.

Source
Oracle Database: What database management capabilities does Oracle Database provide?

Oracle Database is a converged, multi-model database management system offering in-memory computing, NoSQL, and MySQL database options with comprehensive data management and security features.

Source
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