As a new business, there are a lot of things you need to cover. If it’s an online business that offers services online, it’s a necessity to keep all your data secure and accessible. Cloud databases have made it much easier to manage your data. There are more providers who offer free cloud databases that offer free storage and throughput.
In this article, we will discuss about
- What are free cloud databases
- Free cloud databases
Imagine if there were free software options available that could manage your data and handle the writing of application code for storing data. This isn’t fake, I promise you. That’s where free databases come into play, especially for small or hobby projects. In this article, I’ve compiled a list of free databases that can be used to store a moderate amount of data in 2024 and beyond.
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What are Free Cloud Databases?
First, let’s explore what cloud database software is. This software is beneficial for startups and businesses seeking a storage system to save their files and data on an online server. With the assistance of a cloud database service provider, all the information stored on your company’s computers can be transferred to the cloud database, accessible from anywhere with a proper internet connection.
You no longer have to worry about storage issues, weather damage, or surrendering your computer for servicing every time it malfunctions. Now, every single file of your data is stored in the clouds somewhere on the vast expanse of the internet. This technology is secure and immensely helpful for startups and businesses alike. A free cloud database can easily assist you in storing your data without costing you a hefty amount, particularly if you are a small business aiming to flourish and reach new heights. For readers interested in cloud computing education, DataCamp offers a comprehensive platform with a variety of courses and tracks tailored for different skill levels. By engaging in these courses, individuals can acquire practical skills applicable in the management and optimization of cloud databases. This educational foundation is beneficial not only for those involved with database administration but also for leveraging insights from stored data.
However, to ensure you get access to the best cloud database, here are a few things to consider:
- Make sure to select a cloud database that matches your business needs.
- Check the cloud database’s storage capacity, scalability, query throughput, and concurrent connections.
- Look for uncompromised security when choosing a cloud database provider that offers strong encryption, access control, and backup options.
- If you have limited coding skills, consider the technical expertise of the individual who will handle the database.
- Ensure that it’s easy for your business to migrate your database to its paid tier without any complications.
Ten Free Cloud Databases
As a startup, getting a cloud database service provider can be costly, but here in this list, you’ll find the top 10 free cloud databases.
1. Google Sheets
This is for people who want a simple database that’s easy for non-technical users to work with.
Everyone is familiar with Google Sheets. While a spreadsheet program might not resemble a traditional database at first glance, upon closer inspection, the similarities become evident. Here, you can store your data in rows and columns and use an API to access it. This setup is sufficient for small to medium-sized apps, even when working with non-technical stakeholders. Additionally, you can utilize Google Forms as a means to input data into your spreadsheet, potentially a way to get the effort of building your own front end. If you are considering moving your data from another database like Airtable to Google Sheets, you can leverage good data integration tools to facilitate the transition seamlessly.
2. Airtable
This is for: It is a good choice if you want a spreadsheet-like interface and room to grow later.
Airtable is more powerful than Google Sheets, yet it retains the familiarity of a spreadsheet interface. In Airtable, you can create tables to fill with data, akin to a spreadsheet. However, it goes beyond being just a simple spreadsheet by allowing you to run queries and save them as views. The versatility of Airtable becomes evident when you realize that you can arrange data in various formats, such as features of a Gantt chart software, calendar, or Kanban board. Additionally, you can enforce schema with different field types, attach files, and utilize a REST API to manipulate data. Like Google Sheets, Airtable also supports collaborative editing.
On the free plan, you can create databases with up to 1200 records and have 2GB of storage per database.
3. Microsoft Azure Free Account
This is for: People who want to learn how to use Microsoft Azure.
If you are a new Azure customer, you can sign up for a free account. This account includes a mixture of services, some of which are free forever plans, while others are free for the first year, including several cloud databases. Additionally, the free Azure account comes with a $200 credit for you to spend in the first 30 days. However, after 30 days, you have to opt into a paid account, otherwise, your services will stop working and data will be deleted.
4. Google Cloud Free Tier
This is for: People to get some experience with Google Cloud in particular.
If you’re an individual new to Google Cloud, you can sign up for a free trial. This trial includes a $300 credit to spend in the first 90 days, which you can easily utilize to run a short-lived database. However, after this period, you must upgrade to a paid account or when your credit runs out, which could result in your data being deleted. Therefore, it’s essential to be cautious about what you use and how you use it, as this could lead to an unexpected bill. The Google Cloud Free Tier includes 1GB of storage with Cloud Firestore, a NoSQL document database.
5. Neo4j Aura
All computer enthusiasts are likely familiar with Neo4j, a graph database. With this software, you can represent your data as a graph and store it directly rather than relying on thousands of rows and columns. Now, you can easily obtain a fully managed cloud instance of Neo4j using Neo4j Aura. The free plan provides access to a single database with up to 50,000 nodes and 17,500 relationships.
6. DataStax Astra DB
This is for people who want to check if your workloads are a good fit for Cassandra.
Here, Apache Cassandra stands out as a popular database engine designed for heavy workloads such as IoT telemetry and transaction logging. However, it does not support ACID transactions or relational queries. Nevertheless, you can conveniently run Cassandra in the cloud with DataStax Astra DB. You can sign up for the free tier without needing a credit card. With this tier, you receive $25 of credit per month, providing you with 40GB of storage and a generous amount of throughput.
7. Heroku Postgres
This is a great choice if you want a relational database.
Heroku is a platform for running apps in the cloud, where you can also run a free PostgreSQL database alongside your app. PostgreSQL is a reliable database that is compatible with SQL. If you need to connect to a database from outside Heroku, this option works well, even if your app resides elsewhere.
8. Oracle Database XE
Oracle, one of the best relational databases, offers Oracle Database XE, which is suitable for large installations. With a powerful architecture, it performs well even when handling vast amounts of data. It also facilitates easy development and deployment of apps and is beginner-friendly for installation and management. However, if you plan to upgrade to the pro version of the software, it can be quite costly. If you’ve got a limited budget, you may need to explore other options like migrating from Oracle to MySQL.
9. MongoDB
MongoDB is a new generation of database software that was founded in 2009. It has been downloaded 30 million times and is utilized by companies like MetLife and Expedia for their storage requirements. MongoDB runs on multiple platforms and offers drivers for most languages, such as Python, C++, and Java. Its document model also assists users in easily developing software ideas in Java. The software allows indexing, data replication, and ad hoc querying. However, setting up MongoDB can be time-consuming and lengthy. However, setting up MongoDB can be time-consuming and lengthy. If you’re considering migrating your data, you might also explore how to transition from MongoDB to SQL for relational database solutions.
10. DynamoDB
DynamoDB by Amazon is essentially a cross-platform serverless database. It saves users time with automatic scaling and also conserves clients’ efforts to protect their data. This database is compatible with many languages, including Java, Go, Node.js, NET, and more.
If you’re seeking a free database that offers consistent latency, consider DynamoDB. In addition to consistent latency, it provides high in-memory caching and built-in security, making it a lucrative choice for ventures that require both features.
Conclusion
If your business has loads of data, you can secure it with the help of cloud databases. If you rely on designs, you should know that Graphically.io has professional in-house graphic designers who provide unlimited graphic design services. The unlimited subscription won’t break your wallet, and your turnaround time for design projects is less than 24 hours compared to other major design providers.
FAQ
Is Google SQL free?
Google SQL may not be entirely free, but Google Cloud SQL offers a free tier with limited resources. There are usage limits, and pricing applies once those limits are exceeded. Therefore, while you can use Cloud SQL for free within the specified limits, additional charges may apply for heavier usage.
Which cloud DB is free?
If you’re a startup looking for a cost-effective cloud database solution, consider Azure SQL Database. It’s free and flexible, allowing you to scale up without additional memory or servers. Plus, since it’s managed for you, there’s no need to worry about infrastructure maintenance or upgrades.
