--- title: "Actian Zen Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra" description: "With the help of Capterra, learn about Actian Zen Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Database products and more." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/236926/Actian-Zen/" page_type: "product" language: "en" --- # Actian Zen Software Review 2026: Features, Reviews, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on September 16, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Integrations](#integrations)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) Actian Zen ## What is Actian Zen? Actian Zen is a NoSQL and SQL (fully ANSI compliant) embedded database that runs on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, macOS, in VMs and Containers with AES 256-bit encryption. Version footprints range from 5MB (client only) to 50 MB (embedded client-server) to 200MB (client-server, SaaS-ready) and support up to 64TB tables. NoETL between versions. Use C/C++/C#, Java, JavaScript, Python, Delphi, or Basic and connect to any ODBC/JDBC, ASP.Net source or destination. ## What is Actian Zen used for? [NoSQL Databases](https://www.capterra.com/nosql-databases-software/)[Database](https://www.capterra.com/database-management-software/) Overall rating Based on 1 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive \- Neutral \- Negative \- Starting price $100 Flat Rate, One Time Free trial available Free version not included Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for Actian Zen?[Manage this product listing](https://www.g2.com/products/actian-zen/claim_requests/new?auto=true) ## Actian Zen Overview Updated September 2026 AI summary Actian Zen is a database solution designed for businesses of all sizes, supporting both traditional and NoSQL database management. It offers features such as access controls, backup and recovery, data replication, and reporting, with options for real-time monitoring and mobile access. Actian Zen is available on cloud and on-premise platforms across Windows, Mac, and Linux environments. ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### Actian Zen 5.0 (1) VS. [### Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/) [4.6 (1,982)](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/reviews/) Starting Price $100 Flat Rate, One Time Starting Price $13748 Flat Rate, One Time Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.0 (1) Ease Of Use 4.3 (1,982) Value For Money 5.0 (1) Value For Money 4.3 (1,513) Customer Service 5.0 (1) Customer Service 4.3 (1,439) ## Actian Zen alternatives [MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) [4.6 (2,099)](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/reviews/) Starting price $2000.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 96% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) Highest Rated [Google Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/268690/Google-Cloud-Platform/) [4.7 (2,330)](https://www.capterra.com/p/268690/Google-Cloud-Platform/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 96% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/268690/Google-Cloud-Platform/) [MongoDB](https://www.capterra.com/p/127374/MongoDB/) [4.7 (473)](https://www.capterra.com/p/127374/MongoDB/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 99% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/127374/MongoDB/) [Airtable](https://www.capterra.com/p/146652/Airtable/) [4.6 (2,244)](https://www.capterra.com/p/146652/Airtable/reviews/) Starting price $20.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 95% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/146652/Airtable/) ## FAQs about Actian Zen Overview ### What company size and specific industries is Actian Zen built for? Actian Zen is designed for organizations building embedded applications in cloud, client-server, equipment, gateway, mobile, and IoT environments. It fits companies that need time-series, document store, or traditional relational database support, including those in industrial, connected device, and software development sectors. Features and Usability ### What are the key features of Actian Zen? Actian Zen offers built-in database management, relational and NoSQL database support, and key-value store functionality. It includes data import/export, replication, synchronization, and virtualization, plus access controls, authentication, encryption, audit trail, backup and recovery, and reporting and analytics for data management and monitoring. Integrations ### Which third-party tools and platforms does Actian Zen integrate with? Actian Zen integrates with Devart ODBC Drivers for database connectivity and reporting workflows. Getting Started and Support ### What training and onboarding options does Actian Zen offer? Actian Zen provides webinars, documentation, and videos for training and onboarding. Webinars support live guidance and Q&A, documentation offers written reference material, and videos give visual walkthroughs for learning product features and setup steps. Getting Started and Support ### What customer support options does Actian Zen offer? Actian Zen provides email/help desk, FAQ/forum, knowledge base, and phone support. These channels give users several ways to look for guidance and contact support when needed. ## Features AI summary Based on 2,782 Database reviews Capterra reviewers point to these as the database features they value most: - **Secure Data Storage** (**55%** of reviewers rated this feature as critical) - **Data Storage Management** (**52%**) - **Backup and Recovery** (**55%**) Actian Zen supports all three of the top features buyers look for in a database: **Secure Data Storage**, **Data Storage Management**, and **Backup and Recovery**. Together, these capabilities help businesses protect stored information, manage data resources more effectively, and restore critical records when needed, allowing teams to maintain reliability, reduce risk, and keep operations running with less disruption. Access Controls/Permissions 5.0 (1) 100.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Define levels of authorization for access to specific files or systems Backup and Recovery 5.0 (1) 100.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Create backups and provide methods to recover deleted/lost data Data Dictionary Management 5.0 (1) 100.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Stores definitions of the data elements and their relationships (metadata) and how they are retrieved for the user Data Replication 3.0 (1) 0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Process of copying and storing data in more than one site or node Data Retrieval 5.0 (1) 100.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Search and find data in a structured format Data Virtualization 5.0 (1) 100.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Retrieve and use data without requiring technical details about the data Actian Zen 52 features ### All Features - Access Controls/Permissions: Define levels of authorization for access to specific files or systems - Activity Dashboard: Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities - Ad hoc Query: One-off queries made on an as-needed basis - Ad hoc Reporting: Generate one-off reports that meet information requirements - Alerts/Notifications: Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges - API: Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases - Audit Management: Plan, schedule, and execute organization's accounts and assets to ensure compliance with policies and laws - Audit Trail: A record of all activities within the system, including user access, changes made, etc. - Authentication: Verify the identity of users/devices to enable secure access - Automatic Backup: Data is backed up automatically to prevent data loss - Backup and Recovery: Create backups and provide methods to recover deleted/lost data - Built-In Database: A system that allows access to a database structure without relying on an external program - Compliance Management: Track and manage adherence to policies for any service, product, process, or supplier - Configuration Management: Identify component attributes like servers, hardware, software, and manage relationships across all services - Customizable Fields: Customize data fields to support various needs and use cases - Data Capture and Transfer: Import, collect, and capture data from multiple sources - Data Connectors: Connect to big data sources - Data Dictionary Management: Stores definitions of the data elements and their relationships (metadata) and how they are retrieved for the user - Data Extraction: Automatically retrieve and pull information from documents, websites, images, data sets, and other sources - Data Import/Export: Import and export data to and from software applications - Data Mapping: Track the management and flow of data throughout the organization - Data Recovery: Ability to restore deleted, hidden, or lost data from an email server/system - Data Replication: Process of copying and storing data in more than one site or node - Data Retrieval: Search and find data in a structured format - Data Storage Management: Manage and store data in a database - Data Synchronization: Synchronizing data between two or more devices/systems and automatically updating changes to maintain consistency - Data Verification: Process of checking different types of data for accuracy to avoid errors or inconsistencies - Data Virtualization: Retrieve and use data without requiring technical details about the data - Data Visualization: Graphical representation of data - Document Storage: Store and organize documents in a centralized system - Encryption: Convert data into a code for security - Indexing: Compile and organize data into specific metrics - Key-Value Store Database: Database using key-value methods to store data - Mobile Access: Access software remotely via mobile devices - Monitoring: Observe and track the demand, usage, progress or quality of a system, product, or user - Multiple Data Sources: Allows users to manage data from a number of sources - Multiple Programming Languages Supported: Run stored procedures and queries in multiple programming languages, such as JSON, Java, Python, Ruby, Perl, and SQL - NOSQL Database Management: Database management based on customization, fluidity, and document relations - Performance Analysis: Monitor and analyze the performance and status of a server or system/application - Real-Time Data: Receive data and information in real time - Real-Time Monitoring: Active monitoring of systems, applications, or networks - Relational Database Management: Database management based on relationships between data - Reporting & Statistics: Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns - Reporting/Analytics: View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data - Role-Based Permissions: Set & manage permission levels based on user roles and restrict access to only authorized individuals - Search/Filter: Search and filter data across systems to locate required information by entering keywords or certain criteria - Secure Data Storage: Securely stores data to prevent data loss or breaches - Security Auditing: Systematic evaluation of the security of a company's overall security system and situation - Serverless Accessibility: Compatible with serverless backends - SSL Security: Security protocol that ensures secure, encrypted communication over the internet, safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access - Third-Party Integrations: Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes - User Management: Manage user accounts, profiles, roles, permissions, and other details across applications, devices or networks --- Get Advice We can help you find the software with the features you need. Features 4.0 (1) 4.0 Based on 1 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 5.0 (1) Free Trial Basic $100.00 Flat Rate,One Time Value for money 5.0 (1) 5.0 Based on 1 reviews ## Integrations [ Devart ODBC Drivers](https://www.capterra.com/p/197283/Devart-ODBC-Drivers/) Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 5.0 (1) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 5.0 (1) 5.0 Based on 1 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 5.0 Based on 1 reviews Filter by rating 5(1) 4(0) 3(0) 2(0) 1(0) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent Bill B. President Computer Software ### "One of the fastest and most flexible databases I've ever developed for." 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 November 9, 2021 We use Zen databases internally in a wide variety of solutions, from periodic data logging (from our PV solar installation) to web search capabilities (of our accounting data), and even data analysis where we can import large data sets to the database, and then slice&dice it with other tools to glean insights about our data. Pros The speed and flexibility is far above everything else, allowing a wide variety of access methods to my data, leveraging low-level API calls and high-level SQL/scripting access to the same data, at the same time. The minimal need for management on a daily basis is also a big plus, as you can just set it up and let it run. Cons Data replication to another live server is still a bit troublesome, but the availability of several backup and DR solutions, along with the ability to spin up secondary servers at a moment's notice, is enough to overcome much of this issue. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.