SAP SQL Anywhere
maintenanceby SAP SE (originally Watcom / Sybase iAnywhere) · since 1992 · also known as SQL Anywhere, Sybase SQL Anywhere, Watcom SQL, Adaptive Server Anywhere, UltraLite
Self-tuning embeddable SQL database with MobiLink sync, still shipped inside ISV apps but frozen at v17.
maintenance. No new major version since 17 (2015); SAP ships fixes only and lists end of mainstream maintenance as Dec 31, 2028.
Overview
SQL Anywhere began as Watcom SQL and became Sybase's database for embedding inside packaged software, remote offices and mobile devices. It is notably low-maintenance: it self-tunes cache and query plans, runs with zero DBA, and its MobiLink server synchronises thousands of remote SQL Anywhere or UltraLite databases with a central Oracle, SQL Server or HANA. Version 17 dates from 2015 and SAP only ships fixes now, with mainstream maintenance extended to the end of 2028. Existing ISVs keep it because it just works; new projects should look at SQLite or PostgreSQL plus a modern sync layer.
Strengths & trade-offs
Strengths
- +Self-tuning engine runs unattended inside shipped products with no DBA
- +MobiLink sync connects thousands of remote databases to a central Oracle, SQL Server or HANA
- +Accepts both Watcom-SQL and much of T-SQL, easing ports from ASE/SQL Server
- +Small footprint UltraLite edition for mobile and handheld devices
Trade-offs
- −Frozen at version 17; no new features from SAP
- −Mobile SDKs and platform support lag modern iOS/Android practice
- −Small, shrinking community
Great for
- +Databases embedded in packaged ISV software (e.g., PowerBuilder apps)
- +Field-service and retail apps that sync with HQ
- +Remote office databases with intermittent connectivity
Think twice for
- −New mobile apps (use SQLite with a modern sync engine)
- −Large central OLTP or analytics
- −Long-term platforms beyond 2028
Capabilities
Native or official first-party support · 14 of 25 tracked
Scale & consistency
- Comfortable data size
- Small · ≤ 100 GB
- Horizontal scaling
- None
- Multi-region
- No
- Transactions
- Full ACID
- Consistency
- Strong
- Schema
- Strict
- Architecture
- Client server, Embedded, Primary replica
- Query languages
- SQL (Watcom-SQL / T-SQL dialects)
Built for many small databases synchronised with a central server rather than one large one.
Deployment
Ecosystem
Alternatives to SAP SQL Anywhere
The in-process SQL engine that ships in every phone, browser and OS: one file, zero servers.
sap-sql-anywhere vs sqlite →Microsoft's flagship RDBMS: T-SQL, columnstore, Always On, and now native vectors and JSON.
sap-sql-anywhere vs sql-server →The Btrieve/Pervasive lineage: zero-admin embedded database with key-level and SQL access, now edge-focused.
sap-sql-anywhere vs actian-zen →Embedded JSON document database with SQL++ queries, vector search and sync to Couchbase.
sap-sql-anywhere vs couchbase-lite →Lightweight, MVCC relational database from the InterBase lineage, embeddable or client-server.
sap-sql-anywhere vs firebird →Small-footprint embedded database with SQL and network-model APIs for RTOS, edge and safety-certified devices.
sap-sql-anywhere vs raima-database-manager →SAP SQL Anywhere FAQ
What is SAP SQL Anywhere?
SAP SQL Anywhere is a relational database by SAP SE (originally Watcom / Sybase iAnywhere), first released in 1992. SQL Anywhere began as Watcom SQL and became Sybase's database for embedding inside packaged software, remote offices and mobile devices. It is notably low-maintenance: it self-tunes cache and query plans, runs with zero DBA, and its MobiLink server synchronises thousands of remote SQL Anywhere or UltraLite databases with a central Oracle, SQL Server or HANA. Version 17 dates from 2015 and SAP only ships fixes now, with mainstream maintenance extended to the end of 2028. Existing ISVs keep it because it just works; new projects should look at SQLite or PostgreSQL plus a modern sync layer.
Is SAP SQL Anywhere open source?
No. SAP SQL Anywhere is proprietary, closed-source software.
Does SAP SQL Anywhere support ACID transactions?
Yes. SAP SQL Anywhere supports full ACID transactions, with strong consistency.
Does SAP SQL Anywhere scale horizontally?
SAP SQL Anywhere does not scale horizontally; it runs on a single node, so you scale it up rather than out. It is comfortable at small scale (≤ 100 GB).
How can I run SAP SQL Anywhere?
You can self-host it, embed it in your application and run it at the edge.
What is SAP SQL Anywhere best for?
SAP SQL Anywhere is a strong fit for databases embedded in packaged ISV software (e.g., PowerBuilder apps); field-service and retail apps that sync with HQ; and remote office databases with intermittent connectivity. Think twice for new mobile apps (use SQLite with a modern sync engine).
What are the best alternatives to SAP SQL Anywhere?
Common alternatives to SAP SQL Anywhere include SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, Actian Zen, Couchbase Lite and Firebird. The right choice depends on your workload, scale and hosting; WhichDB's smart match ranks them against your requirements.
Is SAP SQL Anywhere still maintained?
SAP SQL Anywhere is in maintenance mode. No new major version since 17 (2015); SAP ships fixes only and lists end of mainstream maintenance as Dec 31, 2028.
How popular is SAP SQL Anywhere?
SAP SQL Anywhere ranks #136 of 844 databases on the WhichDB Score (22.5/100), and #44 among relational databases. The score combines public adoption signals such as package downloads, GitHub activity, job posts and developer discussion.