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IDMS vs Raima Database Manager

IDMS: CODASYL network-model mainframe database, now Broadcom's, still running decades-old COBOL systems. Raima Database Manager: Small-footprint embedded database with SQL and network-model APIs for RTOS, edge and safety-certified devices.

key differences

  • IDMS is primarily a network / navigational database; Raima Database Manager is relational.
  • IDMS is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Raima Database Manager (≤ 100 GB).
  • Horizontal scaling is addon in IDMS and none in Raima Database Manager.
  • Only IDMS has compression, role-based access.
  • Only Raima Database Manager has in-memory, encryption at rest.
  • Raima Database Manager can run embedded in your application process.

choose idms for

  • +Government and utility billing systems on z/OS
  • +Manufacturing and distribution systems built in the 1980s
  • +Exposing legacy IDMS data via SQL and web services during migration

best at · OLTP

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

IDMSCODASYL network-model mainframe database, now Broadcom's, still running decades-old COBOL systems.
Raima Database ManagerSmall-footprint embedded database with SQL and network-model APIs for RTOS, edge and safety-certified devices.
overview
Primary model
Network / Navigational
Relational
Also supports
Relational
Network / Navigational
Type
Database engine
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Broadcom (originally Cullinane, Computer Associates)
Raima Inc.
First release
1973
1984
Latest version
–
16.1 (Apr 9, 2026)
License
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
Free tier
—
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
6.2
0.0
Rank
#366
#797
GitHub stars
–
–
Stack Overflow questions
–
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
Addon
None
Multi-region
Read replicas
None
ACID
Full
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Strict
Architecture
Client server, Shared storage
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
DML (navigational), SQL (IDMS SQL option), ADS/Online
SQL, Core navigational API
Client languages
COBOL, PL/I, Assembly, Java
C, C++, Java, C#, Python
Best for
OLTP
Embedded, IoT, Edge
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

IDMS vs Raima Database Manager: FAQ

What is the difference between IDMS and Raima Database Manager?

IDMS: CODASYL network-model mainframe database, now Broadcom's, still running decades-old COBOL systems. Raima Database Manager: Small-footprint embedded database with SQL and network-model APIs for RTOS, edge and safety-certified devices. IDMS is primarily a network / navigational database; Raima Database Manager is relational. IDMS is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Raima Database Manager (≤ 100 GB). Horizontal scaling is addon in IDMS and none in Raima Database Manager.

When should I choose IDMS over Raima Database Manager?

Choose IDMS for government and utility billing systems on z/OS; manufacturing and distribution systems built in the 1980s; and exposing legacy IDMS data via SQL and web services during migration. Choose Raima Database Manager for avionics and defence embedded systems; telecom network equipment; and industrial controllers and medical devices.

Is IDMS or Raima Database Manager more popular?

IDMS ranks #366 on the WhichDB Score (6.2/100) and Raima Database Manager ranks #797 (0.0/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are IDMS and Raima Database Manager open source?

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