MariaDB vs MySQL: Which is Better for Hosting PHP Websites

When comparing MariaDB and MySQL for PHP-MySQLi websites, both have their strengths, but the decision largely depends on the specific requirements of your project.

Performance:

• MariaDB generally provides faster performance in certain workloads, especially when dealing with large datasets and complex queries. It offers better replication handling and thread pooling out of the box, which allows it to manage up to 200,000 simultaneous connections—something that MySQL can only achieve in its enterprise version. For most common PHP-MySQLi tasks, MariaDB’s performance in areas like views and replication tends to be slightly better than MySQL's.
• MySQL, while robust and reliable, may not match MariaDB’s speed in these specific scenarios, but it is still a solid choice for many applications, especially when data consistency and large enterprise support are critica.

Feature Set and Compatibility:

• MariaDB includes a wider variety of storage engines such as Aria, TokuDB, and MyRocks, offering more flexibility for different types of workloads. It also provides features like invisible columns and system-versioned tables, which are unique to MariaDB.
• MySQL has a more streamlined set of storage engines with a focus on InnoDB, but it is still very versatile. It includes advanced security features such as validate_password, which is enabled by default, adding a layer of password protection that MariaDB does not offer.

Support and Ecosystem:

• MySQL benefits from Oracle's backing, meaning that its ecosystem is better supported with more frequent updates, comprehensive enterprise support, and integration with other Oracle products. For businesses that require enterprise-grade support, MySQL can be a better fit.
• MariaDB is open-source and community-driven, which makes it more flexible for developers who want to customize or extend their database setup. However, it does have a smaller community and less corporate support compared to MySQL.

Licensing:

• MariaDB is fully licensed under GPL, giving more freedom to developers in terms of modification and distribution. Meanwhile, MySQL operates under a dual-licensing model with both GPL and a commercial license, making it more restrictive for custom internal use.

Conclusion:

• MariaDB may be more suitable if you need better performance for large datasets, more storage engine options, or require a community-driven, open-source solution.
• MySQL is a better choice for enterprise-level support, consistent updates, and if you rely on the ecosystem provided by Oracle.

Both databases are compatible with PHP-MySQLi, but you should consider performance testing based on your specific application to make an informed decision.