--- title: Apache Derby Reviews meta_title: 'Apache Derby Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 23 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Apache Derby works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 3.8 review_count: 23 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-06-15' parent_category: name: Database Software url: https://www.g2.com/categories/database-software --- # Apache Derby Reviews **Vendor:** The Apache Software Foundation **Category:** [Relational Databases](https://www.g2.com/categories/relational-databases) **Average Rating:** 3.8/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 23 ## About Apache Derby Apache Derby is a relational database management system developed by the Apache Software Foundation that can be embedded in Java programs and used for online transaction processing. ## Apache Derby Reviews ### 1. System Routine Execution Permissions are well-structured in Apache Derby for our RDS **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Varshini S. | Database Engineer, Information Technology and Services, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 09, 2021 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Apache Derby is an SQL relational database system in which its extensive language compiler determines the various expressions during compilation time and produces substantial results. We can use both implicit and explicit functions to denote our associated records and data types in our environment. It follows Derby database connection schematics with which we utilize its subfunctional protocols and properties to connect with our various enterprise database systems. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** Apache Derby follows java-based SQL drivers, which efficiently establishes connections with our object drivers. It is capable of taking more than one argument besides our regular JDBC connection URL, which helps to provide authentication and authorization within our set database connection. I prefer using Apache Derby for my relational database management system in our enterprise. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Apache Derby resolves most of the SQL error messages and exceptions thanks to its categorization of SQL states. For improving the default transaction method, it provides java SQL connection sets that commit our current transaction and perform various operations such as serialization, commit read, distinct locking, etc. It also maps our XML datatypes which retrieves XML data as java strings with the help of SQL queries and XML operators. The permissions are granular and well-specified for our system routine, and its dependency manager accurately tracks, triggers raises constraints depending on the set routine level permissions in our customer's databases. ### 2. Easy to install and best for the beginners to learn DBMS. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ambarish D. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 28, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** This is a Relational database management system. It is a database system implemented fully in java. It is very easy to install, deploy, and use. I would say it is well suited for beginners who want to learn DBMS as it is easy to configure and use. It has a very small setup to install. It is available with a command-line tool called "ij tool" to access databases and fire various SQL queries. Apache derby is good to use for java applications. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** Apache derby has quite fewer features than any other database system. It is not suitable for large scale enterprise applications. Some of the SQL statements which are available in MySQL are not there in apache derby. As it is made in java so it is comparatively slower than C/C++ database systems. It is less popular in the developers' community. **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** If your software application is not a highly distributed enterprise application and highly scaled then you can use this database system. It is a good database system for business software of shops, stores, and malls for maintaining details about customers, products, payments, etc. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Apache derby has good support for JDBC. It has an inbuilt driver for java database connectivity. So I basically use this for my java applications to access data from the database of apache derby. I feel that for the common less scalable products it is a very good choice. As it's set up size is also very less. I am using it for the company's website to store the student data and login information, ### 3. Best Open source Relational Database **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bhavana S. | Senior Software Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 16, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Lightweight and much easier to use than any other Databases.Best suited for applications which need a small embeddable DB. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** The only limitation that i see is that it is not designed for data warehousing and would not do well for data analytics for which a No-SQL DB would serve better. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Writing a POC code which requires developers to spend more time and effort on business logic code then integrating and worry about DB setup and environment. Having an embeddable DB with java components makes coding easier. Love its simplicity and has a smaller footprint. ### 4. I am having 5+yrs of Software Development in Java and Apache Technologies **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ajay V. | Senior Software Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 01, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Apache Derby is an in memory database which does not require any dedicated database and as I am using Spring in which it is very easy to manage the derby **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** As Compare to H2 its performance with Hibernate is not so good **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** Work on integration with hibernate in which its not upto the mark **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am using derby for some of my unit test cases using mockito and its very reliable to get overrides the issue for setting up a dedicated db server ### 5. Apache Derby embedded mode is best suited for stand alone apps **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Banking | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 02, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** I found that Apache Derby also known as Java DB is very fast .Additionally ,much easier to configure / use and it’s hardly takes 15 mins to set up the DB . **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** We have used Apache Derby with in one of the Java swing based stand alone application . I haven’t faced any challenge with this , looks to me there could be issues scalability aspects compared to other enterprise players **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** I strongly recommend to use Apache Derby for stand alone applications **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Since Apache derby is open source , it’s best suited for developing POC’s and small scale apps ### 6. Performance Management System Java Application with an embedded database **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Efthymios A. | Software Engineer Intern, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 23, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** The embedded driver was the main reason that made me to use this database. Really easy to use and user friendly. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** I used netbeans to develop the app and I have to say that the installation was the only thing that made my time hard. Also I think the documentation is a bit outdated. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** The main a problem that Apache Derby solved is that I had to distribute the application with an embedded database. ### 7. I use Apache derby for all my Software reliability projects, it’s just perfect and easy to setup. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Aditya S. | Quality Analyst, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 29, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** I have not faced any glitches till date like the derby server stopping abruptly or it’s not starting sometimes. One single command in Linux VMs and it’s works like a charm **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** I have been using derby from past two years for my projects and I have not seen any complaints till date **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Every time I create a software reliability automation project, I make use of derby to have my data ### 8. Useful lightweight RDMS embedded in your Java software **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Medical Practice | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 28, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Lightweight Embedded in your Java application Useful for both smaller projects or integration testing **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** Hard to manage multiple connections too Had some issues with lock files when the host computer crashed. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Junit integration tests Local database for a fat Java client holding sensitive information that shouldn't be hosted in the cloud ### 9. Lightweight database for your hadoop **Rating:** 0.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 18, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Lightweight online transaction database with jdbc support **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** More in memory capabilities with more featutes **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** Use it for hive meta store inside your hadoop cluster **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** We used it with cloudera hadoop cluster as an embedded package so it stores Hive meta store. Being a lightweight database it’s performance is optimal which is required for a meta store for a big pb data hadoop clusters ### 10. Amazing and fast **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Siddharth S. | Principal technical officer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 26, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** - Embedded Mode - Easy to setup and configure **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** - Lack of tutorials for beginners - Difficult to follow tutorials (developer) **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** - On device caching and storage for offline apps - Embedded Mode for ML caching and intermediate storage ### 11. It is quite better then SQL deployment. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ayush P. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 17, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Most helpful point is that it is lot easier to integrate with java applications and whole software sits in one folder. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** On update cascade does not work in derby database embedded driver. **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** Best Embedded Database **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am using derby with my java swing applications.And benefit is that it makes the whole application deployable in just one folder. ### 12. Easy to configure and manage **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Airlines/Aviation | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 03, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** It was easy to configure and manage the DB. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** It is just a simple embedded Database, since it is embedded stop start might get crash and chances of loss of data is possible **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** It is easy to store wdsl for webservice kind of request and performance also was great since it embedded DB **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** It’s is easy to maintain and it embedded and can we used with web applications ### 13. Apache derby is useful for database connection setting while they are required certain steps **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Samruddhi G. | Research assistant , Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 15, 2019 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Apache derby needs a string with connection database and it is easy to set up the connection string no need to write the full string it doesn’t take much time to complete it. Also it doesn’t affect your web page set up also useful in bootstrap web design **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** Apache derby useful In relational ship database as well as non relational ship database systems. And READ operations are easy to perform on it. And easy to modify the database in set up string . **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** It’s totally dependent upon users and administrators use **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Apache derby I used for my student database project using java structure . Setting up the new database and connection string has to be with perfect entity. Otherwise it will take more time to add and revoke each individual attributes of entity. ### 14. Useful for development environment **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Daniel B. | Java Developer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 04, 2019 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Best for using Apache Derby is the ease of sharing an initial database with the entire development team, while at the same time providing freedom for each developer to make any changes they need. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** I think the big problem with using Apache Derby would be the time to build the final script for deployment. Not that it's really problematic, but it's something I can cite as a downside. **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** It is very interesting to use during development for small teams. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Best for using Apache Derby is the ease of sharing an initial database with the entire development team, while at the same time providing freedom for each developer to make any changes they need. ### 15. I am using apache derby in my project. Performance is quite good. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in E-Learning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 21, 2020 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Performance and support, configuration is simple and easy to use. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** I think it is quite good and it's fit to our requirements **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Using as relational database. ### 16. Perfect for testing! Good for UAT! Reasonable for production site! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ricardo P. | Big Data Engineer, Government Administration, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 31, 2019 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** I like its simplicity and seamless integration with Java components. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** One must face that Derby, as any embedded database available, may exhibit decreases in performance while facing too many records and thus, it is not advisable for specific production scenarios. **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** Focus mainly on testing and UAT environments. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** I usually employ it on Java components which need to rely on a local datastore for holding config information, such as real-time pipeline ingestion and Apache Hive metadata. ### 17. Apache Derby, Best for online transaction processing. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 03, 2019 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** First of all, Apache Derby is written in Java and can be embedded in any Java based solution. Apache Derby is light weight, It takes approximately 2.6 Megabytes for the base engine and JDBC driver. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** The only limitation of Apache Derby according to me is, the system shuts down if the databse log cannot allocate more disk space. An IOException occurs in the Derby.log if the system runs out of space. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** As Apache Derby is relational database system, I used it to execute sql commands as of now. But I would like to explore it more if given a chance. ### 18. Apache Derby is a basic need for a programmer **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Md. S. | Software Developer, Computer & Network Security, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 30, 2019 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Both server side and client side software development required Apache, I am using while I started programming in 2014 **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** Nothing, but sometimes need to import package **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** Without Apache Derby my software development is uncomplicated **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have been solved educational Digitalization crisis using Apache at Bangladesh ### 19. Better to implement horizontal partitioning with it **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sudeepa N. | Graduate Research Assistant, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 06, 2019 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** The simplicity at its best. It provides easy to access apis. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** They have not implemented horizontal partitioning in the DB. I believe its really important in efficient db accessing. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Industry level databases use cases. Simplicity is the benifit. ### 20. Lightweight Java based Database **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Gautam S. | Software Architect, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 10, 2019 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Apache Derby is small, lightweight database system with very low memory footprint of 3.5 MB. Derby is Java based and can be used with Java programs using JDBC. Due to low memory consumption, it can be used for storage of data on small devices like smartphones or other embedded devices. It can be used with android, J2ME programs on smartphone and handheld devices for data storage. Its available and provided by many operating systems as default database and can be used to create any prototype in less time. Documentation for the DB is available on the derby website and can be used for tuning the database as per the requirements. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** Though the database engine has low memory footprint, it lacks in performance. It can be used easily with a java application but is slow in the usage. Other limitations are, Indexes on columns cannot be created and as the log size exceeds the storage and becomes huge, the database shutdowns are important for efficient use of a database systems. Though the website documentation provides information for tuning the database. **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** Recommended to use for storage on handheld and smartphone devices or for quick prototyping. Make sure the performance issues do not affect your requirements. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** I used the database for storing data on handheld devices and also for easy prototyping of applications. ### 21. Apache Derby - My Experience **Rating:** 2.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 05, 2019 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Derby is a very light weight relational database system. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** Derby's query optimiser might not be suitable for critical workloads. **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** Derby is a good database. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have worked on Apache Derby's query optimiser as an open source enthusiast. ### 22. Fit my needs for prototype development **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 26, 2018 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** Apache Derby was easy to use and integrate into our prototype. We were able to get it up and running in a matter of minutes not hours. It allowed a jdbc connection to our java code but not all of the functionality to connect with other tools. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** It has a small footprint which is great, but this is balanced by the features and functionality provided.... This eventually convinced us to move to a more traditional database solution. **Recommendations to others considering Apache Derby:** Understand the features and functionality as it is alwasy a larger project to migrate to a different system. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** Embedded database which can be easily added to any java product. We wanted to deploy a solution which would reside with the application to reduce communication from such product to outside sources (centralized database) this was accomplished but using a different data storage approach. ### 23. Easy to use open source relational database **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Apurba D. | Graduate Research Assistant, Higher Education, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 16, 2018 **What do you like best about Apache Derby?** The best part of this software is that it is open source and easy to use. It has a low memory requirement and easy to use with java. **What do you dislike about Apache Derby?** The user manual is not good and very less help support available. **What problems is Apache Derby solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use this software for storing system log data of a real-time analytics software that we are developing as a research prototype. The commands similar to the query language for other relational databases. ## Apache Derby Discussions - [What is Apache Derby used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-apache-derby-used-for) - [View Apache Derby pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-derby/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-06-26+16%3A52%3A39+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=cafae14f-9a11-40c3-957e-4c9c765fa22a&secure%5Btoken%5D=e0c5860e926cfb73c8cfa54835d38b1d9a47672717eec32c600a0518fa36cdb6&format=llm_user) ## Apache Derby Features **Management ** - Data Schema - Query Language - ACID - Complaint - Data Replication **Support ** - Text Search - Data Types - Languages - Operating Systems **Security** - Database Locking - Access Control - Encryption - Authentication **Performance ** - Disaster Recovery - Data Concurrency - Workload Management - Advanced Indexing - Query Optimizer **Database Features** - Storage - Availability - Stability - Scalability - Security - Data Manipulation - Query Language ## Top Apache Derby Alternatives - [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (1,581 reviews) - [SQLite](https://www.g2.com/products/sqlite/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (252 reviews) - [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (650 reviews)