whichdb
vs

Actian Zen vs Raima Database Manager

Actian Zen: The Btrieve/Pervasive lineage: zero-admin embedded database with key-level and SQL access, now edge-focused. Raima Database Manager: Small-footprint embedded database with SQL and network-model APIs for RTOS, edge and safety-certified devices.

key differences

  • Only Actian Zen has json, triggers, stored procedures, compression, role-based access.
  • Only Raima Database Manager has in-memory.

choose actian-zen for

  • +Accounting and practice-management software back ends
  • +Point-of-sale and retail store systems
  • +Edge devices that sync data to a central server

best at · Embedded, Edge, IoT

choose raima-database-manager for

  • +Avionics and defence embedded systems
  • +Telecom network equipment
  • +Industrial controllers and medical devices
  • +Automotive ECUs on AUTOSAR

best at · Embedded, IoT, Edge

Actian ZenThe Btrieve/Pervasive lineage: zero-admin embedded database with key-level and SQL access, now edge-focused.
Raima Database ManagerSmall-footprint embedded database with SQL and network-model APIs for RTOS, edge and safety-certified devices.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
Key-Value
Network / Navigational
Type
Database engine
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Actian (HCLSoftware)
Raima Inc.
First release
1982
1984
Latest version
16.0 (Jun 17, 2024)
16.1 (Apr 9, 2026)
License
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
Free tier
—
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
11.7
0.0
Rank
#278
#797
GitHub stars
–
–
Stack Overflow questions
290
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Full
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Strict
Architecture
Embedded, Client server
Embedded, In memory, Client server
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
✓
✓
Edge
✓
✓
Clouds
–
–
capabilities
Transactions
✓
✓
Joins
✓
✓
Secondary indexes
✓
✓
Full-text search
—
—
Vector search
—
—
Geospatial
—
—
JSON
✓
—
Change data capture
—
—
Triggers
✓
—
Stored procedures
✓
—
Materialized views
—
—
TTL / expiry
—
—
Pub/Sub
—
—
Columnar storage
—
—
In-memory
—
✓
Durable persistence
✓
✓
Compression
✓
—
Encryption at rest
✓
✓
Role-based access
✓
—
Time travel
—
—
Branching
—
—
Online schema changes
—
—
Streaming ingest
—
—
Offline sync
✓
—
Runs in WebAssembly
—
—
interfaces
Query languages
SQL, Btrieve 2 API
SQL, Core navigational API
Client languages
C, C++, C#, Java, Python, Delphi
C, C++, Java, C#, Python
Best for
Embedded, Edge, IoT, OLTP
Embedded, IoT, Edge
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Actian Zen vs Raima Database Manager: FAQ

What is the difference between Actian Zen and Raima Database Manager?

Actian Zen: The Btrieve/Pervasive lineage: zero-admin embedded database with key-level and SQL access, now edge-focused. Raima Database Manager: Small-footprint embedded database with SQL and network-model APIs for RTOS, edge and safety-certified devices. Only Actian Zen has json, triggers, stored procedures, compression, role-based access. Only Raima Database Manager has in-memory.

When should I choose Actian Zen over Raima Database Manager?

Choose Actian Zen for accounting and practice-management software back ends; point-of-sale and retail store systems; and edge devices that sync data to a central server. Choose Raima Database Manager for avionics and defence embedded systems; telecom network equipment; and industrial controllers and medical devices.

Is Actian Zen or Raima Database Manager more popular?

Actian Zen ranks #278 on the WhichDB Score (11.7/100) and Raima Database Manager ranks #797 (0.0/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Actian Zen and Raima Database Manager open source?

No. Actian Zen is proprietary, closed-source software. No. Raima Database Manager is proprietary, closed-source software.