Is MySQL better than MSSQL ?

Mysql is the most popular open source database server right now. It is used by large enteprise level companies and small, single websites. Is mysql actually better?

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Mysql 5.0 vs. Microsoft SQL 2005
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Features

* Mysql 5.X now offers support for cursors, complete views, and stored procedures. However, Foreign Key support is still in its early stages.
* SQL 2005 has native support for xml, multi-dimensional data querying, and Visual Studio .net integration.

Cost

* Microsoft provides a free license for development use. $1400 for a commercial license.
* Mysql is free ($0) for commercial and non-commerical use. It is also possible to purchase a commerical license (to get around the GPL license) for $400.

Performance

* Mysql: MyISAM database table type uses less space and memory. Innodb and NDB clusters also now use 20% less space (new to 5.0).
* SQL 2005: needs more disk storage and memory requirements.

Replication

* Mysql: One way replication using a binary log, which can easily be replicated to multile machines.
* SQL 2005: Multiple forms of replication (snapshot,transactional, and merge), which are more complex and offers a greater degrees of flexibility.

Recovery

* SQL 2005: Very robust. There are multiple failsafes in place to prevent data loss. New features in this version also allow rapid restoration and data protection.
* Mysql: Falls very short in this respect. An unexpected shutdown of your server can cause data loss.

Thanks to tometasoftware