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PostgreSQL is the closest general-purpose alternative in this list if you want an open-source SQL database; Neon is another option if you want to build on Postgres with database branching. For document, analytics or local data work, MongoDB, ClickHouse and DuckDB target different jobs. Reddit users cite Oracle ownership, feature frustrations and legacy dependence as reasons to leave, but those complaints are opinions, not proof that MySQL cannot serve your application. Check compatibility and pricing before moving.
01Why people leave MySQL
Oracle ownership concerns
Some Reddit commenters object to MySQL being controlled by Oracle. That is a community concern, not a measure of whether MySQL fits your workload.
Feature frustrations
In one Reddit discussion, users described MySQL features as incomplete and favored PostgreSQL. Others pushed back on the intensity of those complaints.
Legacy is the main reason
Some commenters say MySQL persists mainly in existing applications. Others report years of trouble-free use, so migration depends on your own requirements.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Open-source SQL
PostgreSQLPostgreSQLPostgreSQL is the most direct alternative here for teams that still want a SQL database, but prefer an open-source option. The pricing page marks it as free and highlights relational data with JSON needs. Reddit users often recommend it over MySQL, though those opinions do not establish that a migration will be simple. Check your application’s SQL, drivers and migration process before switching.
Trade-off: You still need to plan schemas and verify application compatibility.
8.0/10from
Freefree plan - Postgres with branching
NeonNeonNeon fits teams already considering PostgreSQL that also need database branching or variable database load. Its listing describes it as a Postgres backend with a free plan and a starting price of $15. That makes it a hosted alternative to evaluate, rather than a drop-in MySQL replacement. Review the usage-based pricing carefully and check whether your app and deployment workflow fit.
Trade-off: Usage-based pricing needs budgeting; it is a Postgres switch, not a MySQL clone.
7.0/10from
$15/mofree plan - Free SQL database
FirebirdFirebirdFirebird is worth comparing if your priority is a free SQL database rather than staying with MySQL for compatibility. The pricing page calls out deployments with large databases and Firebird drivers. It also lists a free plan and a starting price of $575, so confirm which plan that price refers to before budgeting. The published information does not establish how easily your app can migrate.
Trade-off: Verify driver support and migration fit; the listed paid-plan details are limited.
6.5/10from
$575/mofree plan - Document-first apps
MongoDBMongoDBMongoDB is aimed at document-first application data, not at preserving a relational MySQL setup unchanged. Consider it when the application is built around documents or when you are choosing a database for a new product. The pricing page shows a free plan and a starting price of $8, and says teams can choose cloud or self-managed use. Check how your data model and application queries would change.
Trade-off: A document-first model is a different fit from an existing SQL application.
7.2/10from
$8/mofree plan - Real-time analytics
ClickHouseClickHouseClickHouse is a better fit when the reason to leave MySQL is analytical work over large datasets, rather than a like-for-like application database swap. Its listing targets real-time analytics and SQL workloads, with local and cloud options. Pricing is listed as n/a, so the published information does not give a starting price. The listing also flags engineering effort and a variable cloud bill as factors to weigh.
Trade-off: Not positioned as a general MySQL replacement; expect engineering work and variable cloud costs.
7.8/10from
Custom - Local SQL analytics
DuckDBDuckDBDuckDB suits SQL-based local data wrangling, especially work with CSV or Parquet files. The pricing page describes it as a free analytical database, making it an option for analysis rather than a default home for an existing MySQL application. It flags concurrency and support details for teams to verify. Check those limits against your use case before treating it as a replacement.
Trade-off: Its analytical focus means you should verify concurrency and support needs.
8.0/10from
Freefree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 MySQL MySQL (current) | 6.8 | $178.33/mo | Yes | Teams maintaining existing MySQL applications |
| PostgreSQL PostgreSQL | 8.0 | Free | Yes | Teams choosing an open-source database |
| Neon Neon | 7.0 | $15/mo | Yes | Teams building on Postgres |
| Firebird Firebird | 6.5 | $575/mo | Yes | Teams seeking a free SQL database |
| MongoDB MongoDB | 7.2 | $8/mo | Yes | Document-first application data |
| ClickHouse ClickHouse | 7.8 | Custom | No | Teams building real-time analytics |
| DuckDB DuckDB | 8.0 | Free | Yes | SQL-based local data wrangling |
Questions people ask
What are some databases similar to MySQL?
For another SQL database, compare PostgreSQL and Firebird. Neon is a Postgres option with database branching. The published alternatives also include MongoDB for document-first applications, and ClickHouse or DuckDB for analytics. These products serve different needs; the list does not establish that they are drop-in MySQL replacements.
Is MySQL still free to use?
The published MySQL pricing summary lists a free plan and a starting price of $178.33. It does not specify the plan terms or what the listed starting price covers. Check the pricing page for current eligibility, edition details and any limits before assuming the free option covers your use.
What are the 7 types of databases?
There is no single seven-type taxonomy in the published material. The alternatives listed here cover SQL databases, document-first databases, analytical databases, search, and caching or streaming workloads. Those are useful ways to compare products by job, but they are not presented here as a definitive list of seven database types.