7 Free MySQL Databases Online (Feb. 2024)

Developers usually build a business website or web application in the hope it will draw consumers and expand over time. But as a web project grows, so does its data. This is why a user’s choice of database is so crucial.

Databases allow users to store, organize, and retrieve a website or application’s data. Although several database options exist, many developers choose MySQL to manage their data. MySQL is an open-source database that is scalable, flexible, and performant.

If you’re a MySQL user, it is important to purchase a hosting plan with a valuable MySQL offering — one that can help you scale and process requests with speed and reliability. Fortunately, you can find various free MySQL databases online. Below, we will discuss the best free options and a few paid plans you can’t miss out on for database needs.

Although the word free is usually associated with good things, it comes with caveats. And in the case of web hosting, free is usually a mask for subpar performance. You may not have to pay with your wallet, but free hosting does come at a cost, including limited resources and mandatory ad placements.

If you want a trustworthy experience and don’t want to spend anything yet, you can subscribe to a web hosting service with a free trial. Two of our favorite hosts, Kamatera and Cloudways, both offer free trials that include excellent MySQL perks.

Kamatera provides reliable and scalable cloud servers for almost any need. Users can customize their hosting environment by choosing their storage, operating system, and RAM specifications, which makes finding a suitable solution easy. With low-cost block storage and fast SSD technology, Kamatera ensures you won’t have to worry about your database performance.

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Although Cloudways only offers a three-day free trial, it gives you complete access to its managed cloud platform to explore and gauge whether it will fit your goals. Its platform is database-friendly and provides valuable free perks, including a built-in MySQL manager, a database migration service, and automatic backups. Cloudways also offers unlimited databases and ample storage, making it a compelling choice for users looking to grow their businesses.

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If the entirely free hosts mentioned above don’t suit your needs, you have plenty of inexpensive hosts to choose from.

You can’t lose with IONOS. Not only does it offer an affordable web hosting service, but it also provides feature-packed plans and exceptional performance. For only $1.00 a month, HostingAdvice readers can receive a full year of unlimited databases. The IONOS team also prioritizes experience and performance by delivering top page loading speeds and uptime backed by optimized infrastructure.

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SiteGround has one of the top-rated customer support services in the hosting industry. This is evident in its quick responses and resolution time, with more than 90% of issues solved at first contact. Users can also appreciate its highly secure platform and backup features, which improve site performance for visitors. Overall, SiteGround ensures an excellent hosting experience for database users who require high availability and scalability.

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A2 Hosting, known for its blazing-fast servers, supports various databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB. A2 Hosting allows users to choose any server type for database hosting and easily upgrade to VPS or dedicated hosting for more resources when needed. If you prioritize performance, A2 Hosting’s developer-friendly platform will surely give you what you’re looking for with its well-oiled infrastructure and technical support.

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HelioHost is a crowdfunded web hosting service that aims to deliver free server resources to everyone. It operates a datacenter in Silicon Valley, allowing it to provide features, including unlimited bandwidth and domains. You don’t get a lot of storage, but HelioHost does offer unlimited databases for MySQL. It also provides a free cPanel and Softaculous app installer.

InfinityFree is one of a kind. It makes a conscious effort to deviate from the stereotypes that come with free hosting providers. InfinityFree’s unlimited storage capacity and bandwidth give users ample resources to power their projects efficiently. Its database hosting also has a limit of 400 databases. InfinityFree stands out in the sea of free hosting services with unique offerings and valuable performance.

MySQL is a database management system that uses the structured query language (SQL). It is the most popular open-source relational database system, and for good reason. MySQL offers excellent data protection, flexibility, comprehensive support, and open-source freedom.

MySQL’s relational structure means tables organize the database. Most users don’t directly work with databases because they use the interface of other software, such as WordPress, to manage their sites. But each time a website owner adds a blog post or image, that data goes into their database.

Developers, on the other hand, have a closer relationship with MySQL. It allows them to modify source code easily to create a database environment suitable to their project needs. MySQL’s high performance can accommodate heavy datasets, including eCommerce data, and better handle mission-critical business workloads. MySQL is an industry standard and is a secure option for anyone.

Free hosting is a useful option but only for a niche audience. Students and beginner developers will find free hosting to be a beneficial resource. It allows them to experiment with development and website creation without making any commitments. But free hosting is not the best solution for someone looking to make a serious investment.

If you have goals of creating a business website or web application, we recommend purchasing a low-cost hosting plan. With a paid plan, you can get more features and better performance, allowing you room to grow. You also receive a comprehensive experience with features, including domain registration, email, and security.

Free hosting comes with many pitfalls. Except for a handful of hosts, most free web hosts deliver poor performance, require website ads, and don’t offer additional features such as customer support. Free hosts InfinityFree and 000webhost are rare exceptions that provide an ad-free experience and better resources. So if you decide you want free hosting, you can start by researching those two.

Choosing a reliable hosting service is critical for the success of any web presence. Since databases house all of a site or application’s important details and files, a web host with top-notch speeds and ample storage space will be essential to ensure scalability and high performance for your database.

Many web hosts offer support for the MySQL database. So your choice will come down to the little details or, more so, the numbers. You may need unlimited storage for your application, or you may want to save money and get a smaller package. Figuring out the long-term vision for your project will help you with making the final decision.