FindAlternative
Sign in
Back to MySQL

MySQL vs SurrealDB

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

Compare
MySQL
MySQLThe world’s most popular open-source relational database.
Visit
SurrealDB
SurrealDBA scalable, ACID‑compliant NoSQL database with SQL‑like queries
Visit
Overview
Description

MySQL is a widely used open-source relational database that powers a huge portion of the web, known for speed, reliability, and broad hosting support. It remains a default for many web applications and CMSes.

SurrealDB is a cloud‑native, distributed database that combines the flexibility of NoSQL with the power of SQL‑style querying. It delivers strong ACID guarantees while scaling horizontally for modern applications. Designed for developers and startups, SurrealDB offers seamless integration with popular languages and frameworks, making it easy to embed real‑time data capabilities into web and mobile services.

Pricing
Contact for Pricing

Free community edition; paid enterprise editions available.

Freemium
Category
Databases
Databases
Best for
Web developers
Developers and startups
Specifications
Spec source
AI-estimated
AI-estimated
platforms
Windows, Mac, Linux
—
deployment
Self-hosted
—
open source
Yes
Yes
api available
Yes
Yes
github stars
—
32,749
support options
—
Email, Documentation, Community Forum
key integrations
—
JavaScript, Python, Java, Node.js
primary language
—
Rust
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Extremely widely supported
  • Fast for reads
  • Huge community
  • Free community edition
  • Combines NoSQL flexibility with familiar SQL syntax
  • Built‑in real‑time subscription support
  • Strong ACID compliance for distributed workloads
  • Easy integration with major programming languages
Cons
  • Fewer advanced features than Postgres
  • Licensing nuances (Oracle-owned)
  • Some prefer MariaDB fork
  • Ecosystem and community are smaller than established databases
  • Advanced clustering setup can be complex for beginners
  • Limited official GUI tools for data exploration
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
5
0
User rating
4.5 (4)
Not enough data

What reviewers say

MySQL Reviews

4.5 (4)
Anonymous

Great database

Tried MySQL recently. Extremely widely supported. Minor gripe: fewer advanced features than postgres. Would recommend.

Anonymous

Great database

Been using MySQL for a while. Huge community. No real complaints. Would recommend.

Anonymous

Solid choice

Been using MySQL for a while. Fast for reads. Minor gripe: some prefer mariadb fork. Would recommend.

Read all reviews →

SurrealDB Reviews

No reviews yet.

More alternatives & similar tools

Alternatives to MySQL

View all →
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL

The advanced open-source relational database.

Compare
Supabase
Supabase

Postgres database for the modern web

Compare
TiDB
TiDB

A cloud‑native, MySQL‑compatible distributed SQL database for massive scalability

Compare

Alternatives to SurrealDB

View all →
TiDB
TiDB

A cloud‑native, MySQL‑compatible distributed SQL database for massive scalability

Compare
Supabase
Supabase

Postgres database for the modern web

Compare
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL

The advanced open-source relational database.

Compare

The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

MySQL is the safer default for traditional relational workloads with broad support and a free community edition; SurrealDB offers modern NoSQL flexibility with SQL‑like queries and real‑time features but a smaller ecosystem.

Key differences

  • •Data model: MySQL is strictly relational; SurrealDB handles documents, graphs, and key‑value in one engine.
  • •Real‑time: SurrealDB provides built‑in WebSocket change subscriptions; MySQL does not.
  • •Licensing & cost: MySQL has a free community edition and paid enterprise; SurrealDB is freemium with unspecified paid tiers.
  • •Ecosystem: MySQL enjoys massive tooling, hosting, and community; SurrealDB’s ecosystem and GUI tools are limited.
DimensionWinner

Pricing & value

MySQL offers a free community edition; SurrealDB is freemium but paid tiers not detailed.

MySQL

Ease of use / learning curve

MySQL is widely taught and documented; SurrealDB’s advanced clustering can be complex for beginners.

MySQL

Features & depth

SurrealDB combines NoSQL flexibility, ACID compliance, and real‑time subscriptions; MySQL lacks built‑in real‑time features.

SurrealDB

Integrations & ecosystem

MySQL has ubiquitous hosting support and a large ecosystem; SurrealDB’s community and GUI tools are smaller.

MySQL

Scalability

SurrealDB offers automatic horizontal sharding and replication for high‑traffic workloads; MySQL relies on external clustering solutions.

SurrealDB

Support

MySQL has enterprise support options from Oracle; SurrealDB provides email, docs, and community forum only.

MySQL

Security & privacy

SurrealDB includes built‑in authentication and role‑based access control; MySQL security depends on external configuration.

SurrealDB

Choose MySQL if…

Enterprises or developers needing a proven relational DB with extensive tooling and free community edition.

Choose SurrealDB if…

Startups or apps requiring real‑time updates, flexible data models, and built‑in ACID compliance.

Common questions

Is there a cost to start using each database?

MySQL offers a free community edition; paid enterprise editions require contacting Oracle. SurrealDB is freemium, but paid tier details are not specified.

Can I get real‑time change notifications out of the box?

Yes, SurrealDB provides WebSocket subscriptions for live updates. MySQL does not include built‑in real‑time notifications.

Which has a larger ecosystem and tooling support?

MySQL has a massive ecosystem with ubiquitous hosting, tooling, and community support; SurrealDB’s ecosystem and GUI tools are comparatively smaller.