Is MySQL free?

[capsulecorpjx]

Is it really free? How does it stack up against Oracle, SQL Server and Teradata?

[szlamany]

It is not re-distributable for free - from what I understand it's free for you to use to host your own website with database backend for free. There is licencing info on the mysql website - I've read it before but don't recall the exact details.

MS SQL Express edition is re-distributable for free. If you won't expect more then 8 or so concurrent users it's the same database engine (more or less) than paid-for versions of MS SQL server - making it an excellent product - and extremely scaleable.

Keep in mind that MS did not develop MS SQL server - it was purchased from SYBASE quite some time ago. It's a true commercial enterprise database product.

ORACLE is also on the same level as MS SQL Server/Sybase - I've only got mainframe ORACLE experience, so I cannot speak of how it works in the PC arena.

Never heard of Teradata...

[penagate]

MySQL is open source. There are two distinct licencing models, the free model, and commercial. The major difference is the commercial model includes paid support.

Licencing models (http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/licensing/)

[mendhak]

MySql is a good alternative to someone who doesn't have the money to spend on Oracle or SQL Server. VBForums, for example, uses MySql and we get a lot of traffic here.

I've only ever heard of Teradata once, that it is used by KMart/Walmart/someMart.