MongoDB vs MySQL

As big data becomes increasingly important to business success, organizations need to understand how their data storage choices can influence real-time analytics, data models, and authentication. Since MongoDB and MySQL stand out as two of the most popular database management software options for companies of all sizes, let's compare them to learn more.

While both are well-liked by many, MySQL is more frequently used as of 2022. In fact, Statista’s research shows that MySQL has more than twice as many users as MongoDB.

That doesn’t mean you should automatically choose the more popular option, however. The choice between MongoDB vs. MySQL depends on several factors.

A look at MongoDB vs. MySQL quickly reveals critical differences between these options. Keep reading to learn about their features, pros, cons, and best-use cases. Making the right decision can contribute to your ongoing success.

MongoDB overview

MongoDB is a document-oriented NoSQL database for storing large amounts of data. MongoDB uses collections and documents instead of tables and rows, as in traditional relational databases.

Documents are made up of key-value pairs, which are MongoDB's basic data unit. Collections are the equivalent of relational database tables in that they include sets off documents and functions.

MongoDB is a NoSQL database management software (DBMS) option owned by MongoDB, Inc. It runs on several operating systems, including Windows, Linux, OS X, Solaris, and FreeBSD.

As a document-oriented database program, it gives users extraordinary flexibility when adding or retrieving large amounts of unstructured data to a database or data lake.

Users can choose between three versions of MongoDB:

• Cloud (database as a service)
• On-Premises (MongoDB locally)
• Realm (app development for web, Android, and iOS)

Users can also choose between serverless, dedicated server, and shared server options.

Are you getting the most out of MongoDB? To learn more, check out these Five Best Practices for MongoDB and a comparison between MongoDB and PostgreSQL feature

MongoDB features

MongoDB has several essential features that make it an excellent DBMS for many companies. Some of those features include:

• Data replication that improves stability and availability
• Optimal load balancing that adapts to increased client requests
• Built-in sharding for rapid scalability
• Document-oriented, flexible schemas that enable real-time analytics
• Better indexing that improves query executions
  

MySQL overview

MySQL is a structured database that stores information in tables. Users rely on the SQL language to perform tasks such as adding data, deleting data, and modifying data into the database.

MySQL is based on Client and Server Architecture and its server is multithreaded, multitasking, and built to work on heavy-load production systems. We should also remember that MySQL engines are transactional and non-transactional.

Oracle Corporation currently owns and operates MySQL, but it’s available as free, open-source software through a GNU General Public License (GNU GPL).

Oracle also sells unique versions of the relational database management system (RDBMS) to meet the specialized needs of clients.

Users can choose from popular products including:

• MySQL HeatWave (MySQL cloud service)
• MySQL Standard Edition
• MySQL Enterprise Edition
• MySQL Cluster CGE

Do you take advantage of MySQL’s reputation for excellent performance? Explore additional tips for better MySQL performance.

MySQL features

MySQL has several essential features that make it attractive as an RDBMS. Those features include:

• Support for data types including characters, variable characters, unsigned integers, signed integers, and float
• Full-text search that makes it easier and faster for users to find text within a database
• Support for several popular programming languages, including C, C++, Python, Perl, and Java
• Represents data as tables and rows
• Primary-secondary (formerly known as master-slave) replication
• Trigger-based replication and log-based replication SSL

Benefits of using MongoDB vs. MySQL

Any MongoDB vs. MySQL evaluation should start with comparing the benefits of both tools. Although benefits will differ depending on how you plan to use MongoDB or MySQL, the following pros are true for most companies.

MongoDB pros

• Sharding allows for rapid horizontal scaling
• RAM-focused data storage that can retrieve information quickly
• Ease of learning the syntax for NoSQL databases compared to SQL databases
• Creating MongoDB Stored Procedures only requires basic Javascript knowledge

MySQL pros

• Excellent data security keeps MySQL databases safe for high-value information
• Client-server architecture allows multiple-user access
• Strong data integrity and content management, even when collecting information from diverse sources
• It has a huge community
• It is open-source and freely available for customization

Disadvantages of using MySQL vs. MongoDB

Of course, even the best database management software has disadvantages. Here are some cons to consider during your MySQL vs. MongoDB comparison.

MongoDB cons

• Users need to know the MongoDB query language (although it’s relatively easy for most people to learn)
• Speed relies heavily on carefully implemented indexes, which can increase upfront workloads for users
• Join operations do not happen naturally between MongoDB databases, which can interfere with pulling information from diverse databases
• No support for transactions, which can lead to data corruption (this is becoming less of an issue as fewer apps rely on transactions)

MySQL cons

• Users need to learn SQL commands (not an impossible task by any means, but it takes some time)
• No support for SQL check constraints, which can lead to unintentionally large value ranges
• Inefficient transactions can contribute to data corruption
• Only the most recent versions support ROLE and COMMIT

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When to use MongoDB and MySQL

It's important to understand this information regarding MongoDB vs. MySQL, even though it might feel a bit in-depth when you just want to know which option will work better for your organization.

Check out the following MongoDB vs. MySQL use cases. The one that sounds like something your company might encounter is probably the database management software you should choose.

MongoDB best use cases

Let's say your company recently developed a platform that delivers video and audio content directly to users via a smartphone app.

You need to add a lot of titles to your product quickly to attract attention. At the same time, you need to offer the best user experience possible to keep your audience coming back.

You decide to choose MongoDB because you know it can:

• Let you manage diverse data types, including compressed music files and large movie files
• Scale quickly as you onboard your audience without hurting their experience with your product
• Use personalized algorithms to recommend titles to your members

If you need to maintain several types of files in one database and scale quickly as more people start using your product, MongoDB is probably a good choice.

MySQL best use cases

You work for a wholesale company that connects with dozens of online stores that sell your products. You need a reliable way to organize a lot of information, including orders, fulfillment dates, and invoice amounts.

You choose MySQL because you know it can:

• Connect to diverse data sources to unify information from your vendors
• Customize functions that track every step of the fulfillment process
• Scale during the holidays, when you know vendors will sell more of your products

If you need to connect to multiple data sources without compromising security or losing track of information, MySQL is a good option.

How Adservio can help

Not sure whether you should choose MongoDB vs. MySQL?

At Adservio, we excel at helping our clients make critical decisions that improve the high availability and durability they need from relational and non-relational database options.

Our team of professionals can build customized functionalities that make it easier than ever for you to manage your database system.

Contact us so we can help you tackle database management and other big data issues.