Finest MySQL ODBC Drivers 2026

ODBC MySQL drivers have turn out to be a essential layer within the efficiency, stability, and scalability of contemporary analytics methods. And the broader market confirms that shift. Forecasts now put the ODBC market section at USD 4.38 billion by 2029, clear proof that this once-overlooked layer is turning into a precedence inside enterprise information stacks. 

However what many groups nonetheless underestimate is the unfold in high quality of those instruments. Whereas ODBC drivers serve the identical function, they don’t all ship the identical outcomes. This information highlights the highest MySQL ODBC drivers of 2026: those that persistently hold methods working cleanly and reliably. 

Desk of contents

Finest ODBC Drivers for MySQL 

Six MySQL ODBC drivers stand out this 12 months, every constructed for a special class of workload. From trendy BI pipelines to legacy hybrid environments, these are the connectors shaping how groups work together with MySQL. 

1. Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL and MariaDB 

Firm: Devart 

The Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL and MariaDB is engineered for groups that deal with efficiency and connection stability as infrastructure priorities. Its standout benefit is direct connectivity with out shopper libraries, which supplies it quicker response instances and extra predictable conduct than most options. For BI workloads, automation pipelines, and high-concurrency operations, this stage of consistency is tough to match. 

The one consideration is that its worth is maximized in environments the place groups need tight efficiency controls and enterprise-grade reliability. Smaller groups with easier workflows could not absolutely leverage its depth.  

Key particulars 

Specs: 

• Compliant with ODBC 3.52.
• Direct connection with out MySQL shopper libraries.
• Full help for ODBC API and information varieties.
• Compatibility with the most recent MySQL and MariaDB variations.
• SSL-secured communication with out exterior libraries.
• SSH-tunneled connections for safe distant entry. 

Obtain Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL and MariaDB 

2. MySQL Connector/ODBC 

Firm: Oracle Company 

MySQL Connector/ODBC carries the benefit of being the official Oracle-maintained driver. That provides it clear API alignment, predictable conduct, and broad compatibility throughout MySQL variations. It’s an excellent match for growth groups, commonplace reporting, or environments the place vendor consistency issues greater than superior efficiency tuning. 

Its limitation is scalability. The connector is practical however not deeply optimized, making it much less fitted to trendy BI workloads or concurrency-heavy information flows. As analytics stress will increase, most groups ultimately outgrow what it may possibly reliably ship. 

Key particulars 

Specs: 

• Official Oracle-maintained ODBC driver for MySQL.
• ODBC 3.8–compliant, with Unicode and ANSI driver variants.
• Helps server-side ready statements (enabled by default in 8.0+).
• Full compatibility with the MySQL authentication protocol.
• Helps MySQL-specific information varieties and commonplace ODBC API capabilities.
• Contains configurable connection attributes, diagnostics, and tracing choices. 

Obtain MySQL Connector/ODBC 

3. Simba MySQL ODBC Connector 

Firm: Simba Applied sciences (acquired by InsightSoftware) 

The Simba MySQL ODBC Connector is constructed for organizations that reside inside enterprise analytics ecosystems. Its energy is integration: Simba’s drivers are extensively embedded in BI platforms and information instruments, permitting for cleaner interoperability and fewer edge-case mismatches. For groups working a number of analytics methods at scale, this alignment typically makes the connector really feel native. 

Nonetheless, the tradeoff is cost-to-benefit match. Smaller groups with easier workflows could not want this stage of ecosystem alignment. 

Key particulars 

Specs: 

• ODBC 3.80–compliant with full Unicode help.
• Obtainable in 32-bit and 64-bit builds for high-performance workloads.
• Engineered for BI, reporting, and analytics eventualities on MySQL information.
• Helps a number of authentication strategies, together with native MySQL, SHA-256, and Home windows SSO.
• Presents safe SSL/TLS connections.
• Optimized for steady interoperability with main analytics platforms (per documentation, with out naming instruments not explicitly listed by the seller). 

Obtain Simba MySQL ODBC Connector. 

4. Progress DataDirect ODBC Driver for MySQL 

Firm: Progress Software program 

Progress DataDirect is constructed for groups working below strict SLAs, excessive concurrency, and tight safety expectations. Its wire-protocol structure delivers managed, low-latency efficiency with out counting on MySQL shopper libraries, a bonus that turns into clear in enterprise-scale analytics and reporting. 

Its depth turns into most helpful in mature environments that actively tune efficiency and implement governance. Light-weight pipelines gained’t absolutely profit from the engineering behind it, and the configuration choices could also be greater than small groups want. 

Key particulars 

Specs: 

• Wire-protocol structure (no MySQL shopper required).
• Efficiency-tuned for low-latency and high-volume analytics.
• Helps safe SSL/TLS connections and enterprise-grade safety controls.
• Presents superior diagnostics and logging options.
• Contains efficiency optimization settings for large-scale workloads.
• Full Unicode and ODBC API help. 

Obtain Progress DataDirect ODBC Driver for MySQL. 

5. Easysoft MySQL ODBC Driver 

Firm: Easysoft Restricted 

Easysoft’s MySQL ODBC Driver is constructed for environments the place compatibility and predictability outweigh uncooked efficiency. Its actual energy is stability throughout legacy methods and combined working setups, a mixture that makes it a reliable alternative for organizations sustaining older functions or hybrid infrastructure. 

Its tradeoff is scale. The motive force handles on a regular basis connectivity nicely, but it surely isn’t engineered for heavy concurrency or high-throughput analytics. Groups working trendy BI platforms or automation workloads will attain its limits quicker than with enterprise-optimized options. 

Key particulars 

Specs: 

• Offers direct connectivity to MySQL and MariaDB.
• Broad interoperability with legacy and mixed-system environments.
• Full ODBC API help with Unicode capabilities.
• Secure, predictable operation for common connectivity workloads.
• Diagnostics and tracing choices out there for troubleshooting.
• Designed for simple set up and minimal configuration overhead. 

Obtain Easysoft MySQL ODBC Driver 

6. CData MySQL ODBC Driver 

Firm: CData Software program 

CData’s MySQL ODBC Driver is designed for groups that want connectivity throughout a large mixture of BI instruments, cloud companies, and SaaS platforms. Its benefit is attain: CData prioritizes broad integration protection, making it a powerful match for organizations that transfer MySQL information by way of many layers of contemporary functions and automation instruments. 

The tradeoff is efficiency tuning. Whereas the motive force excels at interoperability, it doesn’t specialize within the low-latency, high-concurrency optimization that enterprise-focused drivers supply. Groups working heavy analytics pipelines will profit extra from options constructed for throughput somewhat than protection. 

Key particulars 

Specs: 

• ODBC 3.8–compliant, native protocol implementation.
• Full Unicode and SQL-92 help.
• Helps main BI instruments together with Tableau, Excel, and SSIS.
• Designed for broad interoperability with cloud apps and SaaS platforms.
• Robust metadata discovery and schema-mapping capabilities.
• Helps question pushdown the place relevant.
• Safe MySQL authentication help with encrypted connections.
• Configurable caching choices for efficiency.
• Virtualization options out there relying on version. 

Obtain CData MySQL ODBC Driver  

All ODBC drivers abstract 

For fast reference, right here’s a side-by-side abstract of the MySQL ODBC drivers reviewed above, outlining their ultimate use instances and key particulars. 

With the primary contenders lined, let’s have a look at what makes a MySQL ODBC driver useful. 

Why use a MySQL ODBC Driver? 

The ODBC driver MySQL layer shapes how information strikes by way of your entire analytics stack. Listed below are the important thing advantages: 

Standardized connectivity: A single ODBC layer provides BI instruments, automation platforms, and inner methods the identical entry level into MySQL, decreasing integration overhead and retaining workflows aligned.

Stay information with out additional plumbing: Dashboards and automation companies learn instantly from MySQL, permitting groups to maneuver away from exports, sync jobs, and non permanent information handoffs.

Predictable cross-platform conduct: A well-built driver handles queries and information varieties persistently throughout Home windows, macOS, and Linux, which retains cross-platform help clear and removes platform-specific drift.

Safety controls on the level of connection: Encryption, certificates dealing with, and SSH tunneling implement governance on the actual place information enters the atmosphere,  with out counting on extra community tooling.

Throughput that holds below actual workloads: Optimized wire protocols and environment friendly sort dealing with help quicker BI refreshes, steadier ETL cycles, and extra dependable throughput as information volumes increase. 

With the advantages clear, the subsequent step is selecting the motive force that matches your atmosphere. 

Making the precise alternative: Ideas for selecting MySQL and MariaDB ODBC Drivers 

Choosing the precise MySQL ODBC driver comes all the way down to understanding the realities of your atmosphere. The drivers on this information excel in numerous circumstances, so one of the best match is dependent upon how your methods function as we speak, and the way they’re anticipated to scale. 

1. Platform and structure match 

Begin together with your working methods and deployment footprint. In case your atmosphere spans Home windows, macOS, Linux, or legacy Unix variants, prioritize drivers with constant cross-platform builds. Broad OS protection retains conduct aligned throughout groups and avoids platform-specific points later. 

2. Database variations and cloud companies 

Match every driver to the precise MySQL or MariaDB variations you run, together with cloud companies like Amazon RDS, Aurora, and Azure Database for MySQL. If upgrades are deliberate, select distributors with a transparent launch cadence and clear change logs to maintain future upkeep predictable. 

3. Safety necessities 

Safety insurance policies typically dictate which drivers qualify. Search for help for contemporary TLS variations, certificates validation, and tunneling choices resembling SSH. These options permit connections to fulfill governance requirements with out counting on extra community instruments. 

4. Workload profile 

Your workload determines which optimizations matter: 

• Mild reporting/dev: Fundamental, commonplace drivers are enough.
• BI and analytics: Select wire-protocol drivers with sturdy sort dealing with and concurrency stability.
• Blended learn/write & ETL: Prioritize drivers constructed for reside updates, dependable sort mapping, and steady long-running periods. 

5. Software ecosystem integration 

In case your stack is dependent upon instruments like Energy BI, Tableau, Qlik, Cognos, or SSIS, select drivers with documented integration guides and well-tested interoperability. For product groups embedding MySQL connectivity, prioritize distributors with clear OEM packages and long-term help commitments. 

6. Licensing and vendor help 

Licensing varies extensively throughout the ecosystem: from free, open-source choices to perpetual licenses and subscription fashions. Past price, consider the help construction: response instances, escalation paths, and whether or not the seller supplies enterprise-grade help when manufacturing workloads rely upon the connection. 

Conclusion 

Selecting a MySQL ODBC driver is a basic determination. The connector you standardize on will affect how reliably dashboards refresh, pipelines run, and functions transfer information at scale. 

For groups that want excessive efficiency, sturdy safety, and broad MySQL/MariaDB and cloud protection, Devart’s ODBC Driver for MySQL and MariaDB stays a powerful default. Its direct connectivity, constant cross-platform conduct, and enterprise-grade encryption make it a reliable alternative for critical information workloads. 

For lighter wants (growth, primary reporting, or groups that choose staying inside the Oracle ecosystem) the official MySQL Connector/ODBC stays a smart baseline. 

For each different state of affairs, one of the best strategy is easy: shortlist the drivers that match your atmosphere, set up the trials, and run them in opposition to your actual workloads. The motive force that stays quiet, steady, and invisible whereas all the things else works as anticipated is the one you retain. 

Obtain the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL and MariaDB and take a look at it in opposition to your workflows.