Microsoft SQL Server vs Oracle:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Oracle had more branded searches than Microsoft SQL Server among database platforms worldwide. Oracle had about 1.8 million branded searches, while Microsoft SQL Server had 90,500. Oracle made up 59.7% of all database platform searches we track, and Microsoft SQL Server accounted for 2.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about database platforms, Microsoft SQL Server appeared in four of the five answers and Oracle in three. Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Oracle, about 20 searches for every 1 for Microsoft SQL Server
Who does AI mention more?
Microsoft SQL Server, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Oracle in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top database platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Microsoft SQL Server was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Oracle was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
PostgreSQL1st
MySQL2nd- Microsoft SQL Server3rd
- Oracle4th
MongoDB5th
SQLite6th
Redis7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- PostgreSQL5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- MongoDB4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft SQL Server4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- MySQL4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Oracle3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- SQLite2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Redis1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about database platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which database platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best database platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best database platform for a software team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“database platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sql database software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven database platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Oracle | MongoDB | Redis | SQLite | Microsoft SQL Server | MySQL | PostgreSQL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 54.7% | 24.6% | 9.5% | 6% | 4% | 0.54% | 0.66% |
| Nov 2025 | 50.5% | 27.7% | 8.9% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 0.75% | 0.75% |
| Dec 2025 | 59.9% | 22% | 7.2% | 6.6% | 3% | 0.59% | 0.73% |
| Jan 2026 | 58.5% | 21.5% | 8.4% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 0.87% | 0.71% |
| Feb 2026 | 53.4% | 23.9% | 9.4% | 7.2% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.79% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.6% | 25% | 8.1% | 6.1% | 3.3% | 1% | 0.82% |
| Apr 2026 | 60.7% | 22.3% | 7.2% | 5.4% | 3% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| May 2026 | 53.9% | 24.2% | 9.5% | 7.2% | 3.3% | 0.97% | 0.97% |
| Jun 2026 | 54.7% | 24.5% | 8% | 7.3% | 3.3% | 0.99% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 50.6% | 27.9% | 7.8% | 6.8% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 52.5% | 23.7% | 9.6% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 59.7% | 21.9% | 7.1% | 6.6% | 2.9% | 0.88% | 0.88% |
How has the Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Oracle was ahead of Microsoft SQL Server in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft SQL Server’s share of searches among database platforms worldwide moved from 4% to 2.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 90.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Oracle’s share of searches among database platforms worldwide moved from 54.7% to 59.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.8M.
How did search popularity change for database platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Oracle gained share of searches among database platforms worldwide, from 52.5% to 59.7%.
In September 2026, Microsoft SQL Server lost share of searches among database platforms worldwide, from 3.9% to 2.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Microsoft SQL Server’s and Oracle’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Microsoft SQL Server
1 branded search term
- microsoft sql server
Oracle
1 branded search term
- oracle
Other head-to-heads among database platforms
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