Db2 vs. SAP HANA Cloud

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Db2
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
DB2 is a family of relational database software solutions offered by IBM. It includes standard Db2 and Db2 Warehouse editions, either deployable on-cloud, or on-premise.
$0
SAP HANA Cloud
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
SAP HANA is an application that uses in-memory database technology to process very large amounts of real-time data from relational databases, both SAP and non-SAP, in a very short time. The in-memory computing engine allows HANA to process data stored in RAM as opposed to reading it from a disk which means that the data can be accessed in real time by the applications using HANA. The product is sold both as an appliance and as a cloud-based software solution.
$0.95
per month Capacity Units
Pricing
Db2SAP HANA Cloud
Editions & Modules
Db2 on Cloud Lite
$0
Db2 on Cloud Standard
$99
per month
Db2 Warehouse on Cloud Flex One
$898
per month
Db2 on Cloud Enterprise
$946
per month
Db2 Warehouse on Cloud Flex for AWS
2,957
per month
Db2 Warehouse on Cloud Flex
$3,451
per month
Db2 Warehouse on Cloud Flex Performance
13,651
per month
Db2 Warehouse on Cloud Flex Performance for AWS
13,651
per month
Db2 Standard Edition
Contact Sales
Db2 Advanced Edition
Contact Sales
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Db2SAP HANA Cloud
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalOptional
Additional DetailsIncludes a one year free trial.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Db2SAP HANA Cloud
Considered Both Products
Db2
Chose Db2
Implementation and administration complexity, user learning curves, cost considerations, migration difficulties, and possible support and documentation issues are some of the drawbacks of SAP HANA Cloud. With IBM Db2 it is also incredibly safe, effective, and user-friendly. …
SAP HANA Cloud
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
DB2 and Oracle are more mature products, however, HANA stacks very well against it in terms of reliability and management. Cost is a huge factor in HANA's favor as well, especially given Oracle's excessive costs.
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
DB2 does an implicit ordering. The hardware base was different, that's why it is hard to compare both of them.
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
IBM has been a credible name for us as we have implemented some of the IBM tools and are going great but when it comes to IBM DB2 it was our not-so-good experience. We planned to save our time and cost with IBM DB2
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
Developer friendly environment and real time data access and processing
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
Interestingly Workday financials is getting paired with Workday HCM.. Do not find it a comforting approach if one has to have tight integration with logistics operations
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
SAP HANA as a solution works real good. We chose mainly for real time/streaming analytics and it works well.
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
As users are comfortable using SAP HANA and now all solutions available with SAP HANA add-on modules the integration becomes much easier and cost effective else you need to have persons of different skill sets to maintain and operate the systems.
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
Much faster speeds and features that go hand in hand with other SAP tools and products
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
The choice of the SAP HANA solution was mainly determined by the choice of the new company ERP, which having been SAP, naturally led to the choice of its DB solution.
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
Similar to other big DBMS, but better or equal at stability and technical maintenance. Better or equal at documentation. There is room for improvement at SQL path analyzing.
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
SAP HANA is so agile. It is more than just a database and of course it's a SAP product so reliability.
Chose SAP HANA Cloud
We are trusting SAP and the roadmap they have provided. It just makes sense.
Features
Db2SAP HANA Cloud
Relational Databases
Comparison of Relational Databases features of Product A and Product B
Db2
-
Ratings
SAP HANA Cloud
7.9
45 Ratings
1% below category average
ACID compliance00 Ratings8.030 Ratings
Database monitoring00 Ratings7.442 Ratings
Database locking00 Ratings7.634 Ratings
Encryption00 Ratings8.337 Ratings
Disaster recovery00 Ratings8.236 Ratings
Flexible deployment00 Ratings8.338 Ratings
Multiple datatypes00 Ratings7.438 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Db2SAP HANA Cloud
Small Businesses
InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS
Score 8.0 out of 10
InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS
Score 8.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS
Score 8.0 out of 10
InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS
Score 8.0 out of 10
Enterprises
SAP IQ
SAP IQ
Score 6.3 out of 10
SAP IQ
SAP IQ
Score 6.3 out of 10
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User Ratings
Db2SAP HANA Cloud
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(114 ratings)
9.2
(355 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.9
(12 ratings)
10.0
(16 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(9 ratings)
9.3
(74 ratings)
Availability
9.2
(64 ratings)
7.3
(3 ratings)
Performance
9.1
(12 ratings)
7.3
(3 ratings)
Support Rating
8.9
(6 ratings)
8.7
(254 ratings)
In-Person Training
8.2
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
5.7
(3 ratings)
6.4
(4 ratings)
Configurability
9.1
(2 ratings)
7.3
(3 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
6.8
(2 ratings)
Ease of integration
7.9
(4 ratings)
6.8
(3 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.5
(66 ratings)
7.3
(3 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(2 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
9.0
(2 ratings)
5.9
(3 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
9.0
(2 ratings)
7.3
(3 ratings)
User Testimonials
Db2SAP HANA Cloud
Likelihood to Recommend
IBM
I have primarily used it as the basis for a SIS - but I have migrated more than a few systems from there database systems to DB2 (Filemaker, MySQL, etc.). DB2 does have a better structural approach, as opposed to Filemaker, which allows for more data consistency, but this can also lead to an inflexibility that can sometimes be counterintuitive when attempting to compensate for the flexibility of the work environment as Schools tend to have an all in one approach.
Read full review
SAP
I think if you have a large organization, it's probably the product and the marketplace to go to. We're a large management consulting firm operating in four to seven countries. And generally speaking, I think that's the size and the scope where it scales best. I can't speak to smaller companies, but I can't see smaller companies leveraging the benefits as much as a larger organization can.
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Pros
IBM
  • While we query a large set of data, the results are generally available within a minute or so.
  • Always reliable - I have never experienced an application going down.
  • It is easy to write queries and find tables and columns.
  • We can log in smoothly without any headaches.
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SAP
  • Real-time reporting and analytics on data: because of its in-memory architecture, it is perfect for businesses that need to make quick decisions based on current information.
  • Managing workload with complex data: it can handle a vast range of data types, including relational, documental, geospatial, graph, vector, and time series data.
  • Developing and deploying intelligent data applications: it provides various tools for such applications and can be used for machine learning and artificial intelligence to automate tasks, gain insights from data, and make predictions.
Read full review
Cons
IBM
  • Learning curve for DB resources - Improvements to UI or native command line built-ins can help with increasing efficiencies for DB resources
  • Better resource utilization monitoring and recommendations
  • Continue to adopt support for modern frameworks and languages making it easier for organizations to see making Db2 the easy first choice
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SAP
  • Requires higher processing power, otherwise it won't fly. How ever computing costs are lower. Incase you are migrating to cloud please do not select the highest config available in that series . Upgrading it later against a reserved instance can cost you dearly with a series change
  • Lack of clarity on licensing is one major challenge
  • Unless S/4 with additional features are enabled mere migration HANA DB is not a rewarding journey. Power is in S/4
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Likelihood to Renew
IBM
The DB2 database is a solid option for our school. We have been on this journey now for 3-4 years so we are still adapting to what it can do. We will renew our use of DB2 because we don’t see. Major need to change. Also, changing a main database in a school environment is a major project, so we’ll avoid that if possible.
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SAP
We would rate our likelihood of renewing at 9/10. SAP HANA Cloud has proven to be a highly reliable and scalable data platform that consistently delivers strong performance. Its seamless integration with our overall SAP landscape, combined with improved analytics and real-time data capabilities, makes it a core part of our long-term technology strategy.
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Usability
IBM
You have to be well versed in using the technology, not only from a GUI interface but from a command line interface to successfully use this software to its fullest.
Read full review
SAP
It is very useful solution which provides you speedier data processing, real-time analytics. It helps you manage diverse data types. It also offers you excellent disaster management. It has user friendly interface which helps you navigate system and transactions easily and perform task smoothly.
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Reliability and Availability
IBM
I have never had DB2 go down unexpectedly. It just works solidly every day. When I look at the logs, sometimes DB2 has figured out there was a need to build an index. Instead of waiting for me to do it, the database automatically created the index for me. At my current company, we have had zero issues for the past 8 years. We have upgrade the server 3 times and upgraded the OS each time and the only thing we saw was that DB2 got better and faster. It is simply amazing.
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SAP
I would rate SAP HANA Cloud’s availability as an 8 out of 10. In general, the platform is available when we need it and provides a reliable cloud environment for our data, reporting, and integration use cases.We have not experienced availability as one of the main issues compared with areas like configuration, troubleshooting, or support response quality. However, I would not rate it a 10 because, like any cloud platform, availability can still be affected by occasional service issues, application errors, maintenance windows, or dependencies with connected systems.Overall, SAP HANA Cloud has been reliable for our needs, but continuous monitoring and clear communication around incidents or maintenance are still important.
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Performance
IBM
The performances are exceptional if you take care to maintain the database. It is a very powerful tool and at the same time very easy to use. In our installation, we expect a DB machine on the mainframe with access to the database through ODBC connectors directly from branch servers, with fabulous end users experience.
Read full review
SAP
I would rate SAP HANA Cloud’s performance as an 8 out of 10. In general, performance is strong and reports usually complete in a reasonable time frame, especially when the data models, queries, and calculation views are well designed.The platform handles large data volumes well and supports fast analytics for many enterprise scenarios. It also works effectively with connected systems when the integrations are properly configured.I would not rate it a 10 because performance can depend heavily on architecture, query design, data volume, custom code, and integration complexity. In some cases, complex reports, large datasets, or custom logic require additional tuning and testing to avoid slow response times or delays in connected processes.
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Support Rating
IBM
Easily the best product support team. :) Whenever we have questions, they have answered those in a timely manner and we like how they go above and beyond to help.
Read full review
SAP
However, I am not the right person to answer this as we have another department to handle support and contact the service provider for any support required. Although i will say that they are the quick respondent and knows how to handle querry of the customers and provide quick and better support.
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In-Person Training
IBM
the material was very clear and all subjects have been handled
Read full review
SAP
No answers on this topic
Online Training
IBM
No answers on this topic
SAP
I would rate the online training as an 8 out of 10. The training materials are generally useful, well-structured, and helpful for understanding the main capabilities of SAP HANA Cloud, including data modeling, administration, integration, and analytics.The content is especially valuable for building a foundation and learning the standard features of the platform. However, I would not rate it a 10 because some advanced or real-world scenarios, such as complex integrations, troubleshooting, performance tuning, and custom code, could benefit from more practical examples and deeper technical guidance.Overall, the online training is strong, but it could be improved with more hands-on exercises and more examples based on enterprise implementation scenarios.
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Implementation Rating
IBM
db2 work well with the application, also the replication tool can keep it up
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SAP
would rate our satisfaction with the implementation as a 6 out of 10. The implementation was completed and the solution provides value, but the process was more complex and time-consuming than expected.The main challenges were related to technical configuration, integrations, permissions, and troubleshooting. In some cases, getting clear answers or resolving issues required several iterations, which slowed down the implementation.Overall, the final result is useful, but the implementation experience could have been better with clearer documentation, more straightforward configuration steps, and more effective support during the process.
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Alternatives Considered
IBM
DB2 was more scalable and easily configurable than other products we evaluated and short listed in terms of functionality and pricing. IBM also had a good demo on premise and provided us a sandbox experience to test out and play with the product and DB2 at that time came out better than other similar products.
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SAP
I have deep knowledge of other disk based DBMSs. They are venerable technology, but the attempts to extend them to current architectures belie the fact they are built on 40 year old technology. There are some good columnar in-memory databases but they lack the completeness of capability present in the HANA platform.
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Contract Terms and Pricing Model
IBM
No answers on this topic
SAP
I would rate the contract terms and pricing structure for SAP HANA Cloud as a 7 out of 10. Overall, the pricing model is reasonable for an enterprise cloud platform, especially considering the scalability, integration capabilities, and performance benefits it provides.However, there are some aspects we would improve. The pricing model could be more transparent and easier to predict, especially when usage grows across multiple departments, data volumes increase, or additional capacity is required. It would also be helpful to have clearer guidance on how configuration, storage, compute, and scaling decisions affect overall cost.If we could change anything, we would prefer simpler pricing, more predictable billing, and more flexibility to adjust capacity without creating unexpected cost increases.
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Scalability
IBM
By
using DB2 only to support my IzPCA activities, my knowledge here
is somewhat limited.

Anyway,
from what I was able to understand, DB2 is extremely scallable.

Maybe the information below could serve as an example of scalability.
Customer have an huge mainframe environment, 13x z15 CECs, around
80 LPARs, and maybe more than 50 Sysplexes (I am not totally sure about this
last figure...)

Today
we have 7 IzPCA
databases, each one in a distinct Syplex.

Plans
are underway to have, at the end, an small LPAR, with only one DB2 sub-system,
and with only one database, then transmit the data from a lot of other LPARs,
and then process all the data in this only one database.



The
IzPCA collect process (read the data received, manipulate it, and insert rows
in the tables) today is a huge process, demanding many elapsed
hours, and lots of CPU.

Almost
100% of the tables are PBR type, insert jobs run in parallel, but in 4 of the 7
database, it is a really a huge and long process.



Combining
the INSERTs loads from the 7 databases in only one will be impossible.......,,,,



But,
IzPCA recently introduced a new feature, called "Continuous
Collector"
.
By
using that feature, small amounts of data will be transmited to the central
LPAR at every 5 minutes (or even less), processed immediately,in
a short period of time, and with small use of CPU,
instead of one or two transmissions by day, of very large amounts of data and
the corresponding collect jobs occurring only once or twice a day, with long
elapsed times, and huge comsumption of CPU



I
suspect the total CPU seconds consumed will be more or less the same in
both cases, but in the new method it will occur in small bursts
many times a day!!
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SAP
I would rate SAP HANA Cloud’s overall scalability as an 8 out of 10. The product provides strong scalability for enterprise scenarios, especially when it needs to support multiple departments, growing data volumes, and more complex analytics or integration requirements.The cloud-based architecture makes it easier to expand capacity compared with traditional on-premise environments, and it gives the organization flexibility as usage increases across different teams or locations.I would not rate it a 10 because scalability still depends heavily on good architecture, correct configuration, performance tuning, and cost control. As the environment grows, it is important to monitor resource consumption, optimize queries and data models, and make sure the solution is designed properly to avoid performance or cost issues.
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Professional Services
IBM
No answers on this topic
SAP
I would rate the professional services for SAP HANA Cloud as a 6 out of 10. The professional services were helpful in moving the implementation forward and provided useful knowledge around the platform, configuration, and technical setup.However, the experience was not perfect. Some areas, such as complex integrations, custom code, permissions, performance tuning, and troubleshooting, required more effort and follow-up than expected. In some cases, we would have benefited from clearer guidance, more practical recommendations, and faster resolution of technical questions.Overall, the professional services added value, but there is room for improvement in terms of proactivity, hands-on support, and helping customers handle complex real-world implementation scenarios.
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Return on Investment
IBM
  • Negative: Difficult and manual deployment
  • Negative: Missing assistants from common monitoring metrics
  • Positive: Stability
  • Positive: Performance
  • Positive: Resiliency and high availability (HADR)
  • Positive: Data Replication (Q-Rep)
  • Positive: Interaction with storage subsystems for backups (TSM, SVC)
  • Positive: Gigantic monitoring features in the form of table functions
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SAP
  • ROI has always been high in terms of the functionality that it offers and the security features it comes with.
  • Managing large volumes of data in real-time is not an easy task, but it does it pretty well with faster data processing.
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ScreenShots

Db2 Screenshots

Screenshot of Db2 - Data sharingScreenshot of Db2 - Machine LearningScreenshot of Db2 - Real time insights