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Ever get frustrated because you lost something? Us too. We spent a full work week analyzing database providers. We look at their benefits and their pitfalls, so you don’t waste your time on a dud. Our best for most users recommendation is Knack. It’s simple to use, gets you up and running quickly with your database, and puts your business apps and data in a secure location for retrieval quickly, all without knowing any code.
Best Database Software For Most Users
Knack
Best For Most
Databases don’t have to be complex to be effective. And you don’t have to be a developer or have a technical background to create them. Knack delivers intuitive design tools that make database creation easier than ever before without sacrificing data security. Paid plans start at $39 per month for up to 20,000 records.
Create databases faster with little to no effort using Knack. Now you can make data storage, and business application production cool. You don’t need to be a programmer or developer of any kind. The design of the interface is easy to understand and navigate. Plus you don’t have to worry if your data is secure. Knack takes care of it all. Put your feet up, create a database and use Knack whenever you need a business application in a snap of a finger.
The Best Database Software Options to Consider:
- Knack — Best For Most
- TablePlus — Best Native Database Management Tool For Developers
- Oracle Database — Best Database Product Variety and Deployment Options
- TeamDesk — Best Custom Database Software For Non-Technical Users
- Improvado — Best For Managing Marketing Data
- IBM Informix — Best For Enterprise IoT Data
- Altibase — Best Open Source Database Software
When it Makes Sense to Invest Into Database Software
It makes sense to invest in database software when you’re collecting data but don’t have a way to harness and use that information to improve your business.
Database software makes it easy to collect data and then use it for specific purposes. The data collected can be used for lead generation, sales, marketing, automation, operations, customer support, and so much more.
Small businesses and global enterprises are leveraging this technology.
This software is necessary for organizations with complex data beyond basic columns and rows on a spreadsheet.
And the best database software works with multi-layered data and different query languages. They can even support alternative storage formats, like XML.
Organizations currently struggling to find the right information from existing datasets should upgrade to database software. These tools make it easy to find useful data in a matter of seconds, as opposed to days or even weeks.
Database software is unnecessary for businesses that aren’t collecting data. If you’re collecting basic data that’s easily accessible in an existing platform, like a CRM or email software, you probably don’t need database software just yet. But as your business scales and more data comes in, you’ll find that database software becomes necessary.
#1 – Knack Review — Best For Most
Knack
Best For Most
Databases don’t have to be complex to be effective. And you don’t have to be a developer or have a technical background to create them. Knack delivers intuitive design tools that make database creation easier than ever before without sacrificing data security. Paid plans start at $39 per month for up to 20,000 records.
Knack is easy to use. Even if you’ve never used a database app before. You don’t need any technical background to use this software.
Every day beginners have created more than 100,000 database apps with Knack. These databases hold 10+ billion records for thousands of businesses. You can easily add your records too and start solving your problems now.
The software is used by organizations like Capital One, Kaiser Permanente, The Salvation Army, the Seattle Seahawks, HP, Spotify, and Harvard University.
Knack provides simple design tools that empower organizations to create simple online databases with ease. The DIY app builder is used to create databases from a user-friendly interface.
Some of the top features and capabilities of Knack include:
- Share data via Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.
- Zapier integration to connect with other apps and platforms
- Create custom workflows to process and automate data
- Manage data access permissions for different user roles
- Structure data types in categories that make sense (like names and emails)
- Easy to import data from CSV spreadsheets
Knack prioritizes security as well, so you can rest easy knowing that your data is safe.
Plans start at $39 per month. The entry-level plan includes three apps, 20,000 records, and 2 GB of storage. Try Knack for free with a 14-day trial.
#2 – TablePlus Review — Best Native Database Management Tool For Developers
TablePlus
Best for Developers
If you’re a developer or experienced coder, TablePlus delivers everything you need to browse, query, and edit complex databases without sacrificing ease of use. With it, you can easily transform datasets into spreadsheet-style databases in just a few clicks and leverage relational databases like MySQL and Microsoft SQL. Plus, you can customize appearances and configurations as required.
TablePlus is made for people with coding and development experience.
It allows developers to browse, query, and edit complex databases with a graphic user interface (GUI) client that’s clean and simple. This essentially transforms datasets into a spreadsheet-like editor.
The software makes it easy for developers to manage databases with a native app. You can get up and running in a matter of seconds. TablePlus has tons of security features to secure your database, including multi-step authentication and TLS encryption.
Here’s a closer look at some of the top features, benefits, and capabilities of TablePlus:
- Customizable database appearances and configurations
- Fast, lightweight, and powerful features
- Advanced filters
- Inline editing for data rows, table structure, and query results
- Easy to import, export, and migrate databases
- Work with multiple databases simultaneously in different tabs or windows
- Smart query editor with instant autocomplete, SQL query reformatter, and more
TablePlus also has a feature called “safe mode,” allowing you to code and review your work without actually making changes to your database. So, you remain in complete control of when changes are made.
The software supports relational databases, like MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL, Redis, MongoDB, and more.
Licenses start at $59 for a single computer. TablePlus offers a 7-day money-back guarantee.
#3 – Oracle Database Review — The Best Database Product Variety and Deployment Options
Oracle Database
Best for Product Variety
Oracle offers various database products spanning dozens of use cases and industries based on your performance and scalability needs. There are various deployment options to choose from, including on-premise, public cloud, or private cloud to suit your security and business needs. Plus, it supports virtually every data type you can imagine. Try it free using a free forever plan and upgrade when you’re ready.
Oracle Database is an all-in-one cloud database solution for various use cases and business types. They offer several different database products based on needs, performance, scalability, and other factors.
97% of the Fortune Global 100 rely on Oracle Database, so this software’s reputation speaks for itself.
One unique standout of Oracle’s portfolio of database solutions is the deployment options. You’ll have the option to choose from on-premises deployment, cloud, or public cloud. Oracle Database supports all data types, including relational data, graphs, structured data, and unstructured non-relational data.
There are 15+ different database solutions to choose from. Oracle even has an autonomous database that handles self-patching, upgrades, data recovery, and backups to eliminate hours of manual labor.
Top data management advantages include:
- Data warehousing
- Built-in integrations
- Deployment options
- Transaction processing
- Safe and secure
- Autonomous operations
- Converged architecture
In short, Oracle Database has a solution for everyone.
To get started, try the Oracle Cloud free tier. Oracle also offers a 30-day free trial that can be applied to a wide range of database solutions. This will be the best way to find the right Oracle Database software for your business.
#4 – TeamDesk Review — Best Custom Database Software For Non-Technical Users
TeamDesk
Best for Non-Technical Users
Never created or used database software before? TeamDesk is an excellent user-friendly option that lets you create custom databases without needing to touch a line of code. It’s best suited for businesses without dedicated technical support interested in improving daily processes and managing data for the first time. Pricing starts at $49 per month for up to five users and unlimited tables.
TeamDesk is another web-based database solution. The software makes it easy for users to design custom databases without needing any coding or development experience.
Anyone can build a custom database with TeamDesk—no technical knowledge required.
TeamDesk is ideal for organizations that don’t have a dedicated IT department. Business owners or managers can use the software to improve daily processes. The tool is perfect for people who are just getting their feet wet with data management.
One unique standout of TeamDesk is its database template library. Instead of building a database from scratch, you can start with a template for specific functions. Examples of templates include:
- Invoicing
- Project management
- Health insurance complains
- Logistics and supply chain management
- Lead management
- Human resources
- Sales
- Marketing
The list goes on and on. TeamDesk even has industry-specific database templates in categories like real estate, healthcare, professional services, education, and more.
It’s also easy to make changes and adjust databases as your company scales.
Pricing starts at $49 per month. This entry-level plan includes up to five users, unlimited tables, records, storage, and support. Try it free for 14 days.
#5 – Improvado Review — Best For Managing Marketing Data
Improvado
Best for Marketing Data
As a marketer, Improvado delivers everything you need to start collecting and analyzing complex marketing data with no coding skills required. It integrates with 200+ platforms to help you centralize your data and turn it into something you can actually use to make educated decisions. Get everything you need to monitor campaign performance and analyze the results with ease. Custom pricing only.
Improvado is a bit unique compared to some of the other solutions on our list. The software is designed specifically for marketing data.
With Improvado, it’s easy for marketers to collect and analyze complex data—no coding required.
You can use this software to collect all of your marketing data from multiple platforms and store everything in a single location. It connects with 200+ platforms like Salesforce, Shopify, Instagram, HubSpot, YouTube, Instagram, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn, and dozens of other tools with data for marketing.
Other top features and benefits of Impravado include:
- Connects with data visualization platforms like Tableau, Chartio, Sisense, and more
- Connects with data warehouses like Amazon S3, Snowflake, PostgreSQL, and more
- Create data pipelines without writing code
- Perform simple and complex data transformations
- 24/7 priority support
Improvado has a user-friendly marketing dashboard where marketers can check campaign performance from multiple platforms simultaneously. No developers are required to use and operate this software, making it an excellent choice for companies without in-house tech teams or those just starting out in data collection and analytics.
Contact the Improvado sales team for a custom quote and demo.
#6 – IBM Informix Review — The Best For Enterprise IoT Data
IBM Informix
Best for Enterprise IoT Data
IBM Informix is an enterprise-ready embeddable database for IoT and OLTP data. It’s the perfect scalable solution for large businesses with complex data sets in a wide range of environments from warehouses to app and software development and everything in between. Available on-premise, on the cloud, or embedded for IoT with a free forever plan to try it out.
IBM is a company that needs no introduction. It’s no surprise to see a database solution from this organization on our list.
IBM Informix is an embeddable database optimized for Internet of things (IoT) data and online transactional processing (OLTP).
The software is designed for larger organizations with complex data sets. It’s a powerful solution built to scale. The flexibility of IBM Informix makes it a viable option for a broad range of environments, from enterprise data warehouses to application development and everything in between.
Depending on your business type and needs, IBM Informix has multiple deployment options—cloud, on-premises, or embedded for IoT.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the features and advantages of using Informix for IoT data:
- Native encryption
- Supports multiple APIs and configurations
- Native processing for JSON data
- Native processing for time-series, spatial, and relational data
- Minimal memory footprint
- Few administrative requirements
- Real-time analytics
The solution is the best option for multi-tiered architectures requiring device-level processing.
For such an advanced solution, IBM Informix is surprisingly easy to use. But with that said, most organizations using this software have dedicated IT teams and developers on staff. It’s not made for the average user with no technical experience.
Try the Informix developer edition for free to get started.
#7 – Altibase Review — Best Open-Source Database Software
Altibase
Best Open-Source Software
Get all the enterprise-grade features you need without sacrificing customization and flexibility using Altibase’s open-source database software. Accommodates a wide range of use cases, including telecommunications, manufacturing, finance, education, professional services, and more. Plus, get all the training materials you need without ever paying a penny.
Altibase is an in-memory database management system. The software is open source and designed for relational databases.
Even for an open-source solution, Altibase provides enterprise-grade features and architecture for database management.
The software has 6,000+ deployments from hundreds of enterprise clients. It’s trusted by global leaders like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, HP, Toshiba Medical, and more. Altibase has been around for 20 years, so you know it’s a solution that stands the test of time.
As an open-source tool, the software can accommodate a wide range of use cases. Some industries that use Altibase for databases include:
- Telecommunications
- Manufacturing
- Finance
- Professional Services
- Education
- Public sectors
There are dozens of online training tools and manuals that can teach you how to get started and use Altibase. Tech support is available 24/7 as well.
Altibase is free to use. Download it now to get started for free.
Methodology For Choosing The Best Database Software
With so many database software solutions to choose from, finding the best option for your business can be challenging. This is the methodology we used while researching the best database software on the market. You can use the following considerations as well to evaluate and narrow down tools in this category.
Data Analytics
Storing data is just one aspect of database software. The best options allow you to make sense of your data with analytics tools. This feature can turn complex data into actionable insights for departments and decision-makers.
Some solutions have built-in data analytics features, while others sync with third-party data visualization tools.
Access Control
Many different people throughout an organization can benefit from database software. But often, the data stored in this software contains sensitive information.
The best database software makes it easy to control access based on user roles. Set up custom permissions so team members can access only the data they need without compromising the integrity of your most sensitive data.
Data Security
Security should always be a top priority when businesses are evaluating new software. This is especially true for databases.
Access control is just one aspect of data security. Look for solutions that go above and beyond to protect the information and data you collect. The best systems leverage encryption and conduct regular testing to fix potential vulnerabilities. Hackers and cybercriminals are always using new and advanced methods to breach databases. So, make sure the software you choose can adapt accordingly.
Integrations
For starters, you want to make sure that the software you’re using can easily sync with your data warehouses. But other solutions take this one step further. Some tools can integrate with marketing platforms, advertising networks, data visualization tools, social media platforms, and more.
If you’re seeking database software to accommodate a specific use case, make sure the software supports any required integrations for your needs.
Knack
Best For Most
Databases don’t have to be complex to be effective. And you don’t have to be a developer or have a technical background to create them. Knack delivers intuitive design tools that make database creation easier than ever before without sacrificing data security. Paid plans start at $39 per month for up to 20,000 records.
Summary
What’s the best database software? It depends on what you’re looking for.
Knack and TeamDesk both allow non-technical users to create custom databases without writing a single line of code. TablePlus and Altibase are both better options for developers. Oracle Database has the most extensive product portfolio of databases and deployment options on the market today.
IBM Informix supports enterprise-class data, including embedded IoT data. Improvado is our top recommendation for marketing data.
Regardless of your business type and needs, there’s a recommendation for everyone listed above.
