NewSQL Databases Assessment: CockroachDB, MariaDB Xpand, and VoltDB

Abstract

Background: Relational databases have been a prevalent technology for decades, using SQL (Structured Query Language) to manage data. However, the emergence of new technologies, such as the web and the cloud, has brought the requirement to handle more complex data. NewSQL is the latest technology that incorporates the ability to scale and ensures the availability of NoSQL (Not Only SQL) without losing the ACID properties (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) associated with relational databases. Methods: We evaluated CockroachDB, MariaDB Xpand, and VoltDB with OSSpal methodology and experimentally using the Star Schema Benchmark (SSB). The scalability and performance capabilities of each database were assessed. Results: Applying the OSSpal methodology, the results showed that MariaDB Xpand outperformed CockroachDB and VoltDB. On the other hand, we concluded that with Star Schema Benchmark, CockroachDB had better scalability, while VoltDB had a faster query execution time. Conclusions: CockroachDB and VoltDB are the best performing databases in terms of scalability and performance.