Interbase
Relational databases
Database management systems (DBMS)
Database software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$2,000.00 per year
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What is Interbase
InterBase is an embeddable relational database management system used to store and query structured data for desktop, mobile, and edge applications. It targets software teams that need a small-footprint SQL database that can run locally within an application and optionally synchronize data across devices. The product emphasizes low-administration deployment, on-device operation, and features oriented to disconnected or intermittently connected environments.
Embeddable, small-footprint DBMS
InterBase is designed to be deployed with an application and run locally, which suits desktop, mobile, and edge scenarios. This reduces reliance on always-on network connectivity compared with fully managed cloud database services. The footprint and operational model can simplify packaging and distribution for ISVs and OEM-style deployments.
Low administration overhead
InterBase is commonly used in environments where a dedicated database administrator is not available. It supports automated or simplified operational tasks relative to larger enterprise database platforms. This can be beneficial for departmental apps, field deployments, and embedded systems where maintenance windows are limited.
SQL-based relational capabilities
InterBase provides a relational model with SQL access, enabling standard patterns such as transactional updates and indexed queries. This supports application development where relational integrity and predictable query behavior are required. Teams can use familiar SQL tooling and development practices rather than adopting a non-relational data model.
Smaller ecosystem and tooling
Compared with widely adopted enterprise and cloud-native databases, InterBase typically has fewer third-party integrations, extensions, and community resources. This can affect availability of specialized monitoring, migration utilities, and managed operational tooling. Organizations may need to rely more on vendor-provided tools and documentation.
Not cloud-managed by default
InterBase is primarily positioned for embedded and on-premises style deployments rather than as a fully managed cloud database service. Teams that want automated provisioning, scaling, and managed backups across regions may need to build or source additional infrastructure. This can increase operational work compared with managed relational database offerings.
Fit varies for large analytics
InterBase is generally better aligned to operational/embedded workloads than to large-scale analytical processing. For high-concurrency, very large datasets, or advanced analytics features, organizations may find more purpose-built options in the broader database market. This can lead to architectural complexity if InterBase must be paired with separate analytics systems.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| IBLite | Free | Lightweight embeddable edition for Windows/Linux/macOS/iOS/Android; offered as a free embedded tier. |
| Developer Edition | Free | Free developer edition for building/testing applications; included with RAD Studio / Delphi / C++Builder; not intended for production deployment. |
| InterBase ToGo (Subscription) | $2,000.00 per year | Yearly subscription license with unlimited distribution for embedding InterBase ToGo; subscription must be renewed annually to retain distribution rights. |
| Desktop | $2,163 (example for 100 desktop deployments) | Local desktop/server engine for desktop deployments. Embarcadero lists a 100-desktop deployment example at $2,163; optional annual support example shown at $649/year. |
| Server | $7,030 (example for 8-core unlimited-users license) | Full InterBase Server edition. Embarcadero lists an example price of $7,030 for an 8-core unlimited-user license (includes a hot disaster-recovery server in that example). Annual support example shown at $2,109/year. Additional licenses required to support more than 8 CPU cores. |
Seller details
Embarcadero Technologies
Austin, Texas, United States
1993
Private
https://www.embarcadero.com/
https://x.com/embarcaderotech
https://www.linkedin.com/company/embarcadero-technologies
