# HammerDB

> HammerDB is an open source, self-hosted database benchmarking tool from TPC-Council, scripted in Tcl.

- Canonical: https://perf.jmeter.ai/tools/hammerdb/
- Official: https://www.hammerdb.com/
- Source: https://github.com/TPC-Council/HammerDB
- Vendor: TPC-Council
- Category: Database Benchmarking
- License: Open Source — Free; GNU GPLv3.
- Deployment: Self-hosted
- Status: Active
- Scripting: Tcl
- Protocols: Oracle, SQL Server, Db2, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB
- OS support: Windows, Linux, macOS
- First released: 2003

- Last verified: 2026-08-12

## What it is
HammerDB runs TPC-C and TPC-H style workloads against Oracle, SQL Server, Db2, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MariaDB. Its GUI and command-line interfaces use Tcl scripts to build schemas, drive virtual users, and collect results.

## Choose it when
- Database throughput, transaction latency, and capacity benchmarks
- Teams that prefer open-source licensing and self-hosting options
- Groups comfortable scripting in Tcl

## Look elsewhere when
- Teams unwilling to operate generators, results storage, and scaling

## Architecture
HammerDB is operated as a database benchmark with Tcl. Workload definitions and database sessions determine concurrency, while results focus on throughput and latency rather than browser journeys.

## Pricing
Free; GNU GPLv3.

## Compare

## FAQ
### Who is HammerDB for?
HammerDB is best for engineers measuring database throughput, transaction latency, and capacity. It is open source, so teams can self-host and extend it. Vendor: TPC-Council. Deployment model: self-hosted. Free; GNU GPLv3. Confirm details against the official site and a short proof-of-concept in your environment.

### How does HammerDB differ from BenchBase?
Compared with BenchBase, scripting centers on Tcl rather than Java, XML. HammerDB lists protocols Oracle, SQL Server, Db2, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB; BenchBase lists JDBC, SQL. Status is active versus active. Use the Test Rig to compare full specs side by side before a proof-of-concept.

### What scripting language and concurrency model does HammerDB use?
HammerDB uses Tcl for scripting or scenario definition. Runtime model: GUI-oriented authoring with optional scripting for advanced flows. OS support: Windows, Linux, macOS. Protocols: Oracle, SQL Server, Db2, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB. Match these to how your team already authors tests and which systems you must drive under load.

### What is the cloud or enterprise path for HammerDB?
HammerDB is a focused benchmark harness rather than a browser or enterprise load controller. Use its measured workload and reporting model to isolate database or code performance before broader system testing. As open source, commercial support or hosted siblings may exist separately. Check the official site. Pricing note: Free; GNU GPLv3.

### What are known limitations of HammerDB?
HammerDB limitations to weigh: self-hosted tools require you to provision, scale, and observe load generators yourself. Status: active. Always validate against your target protocols and scale with a proof-of-concept. Confirm details against the official site and a short proof-of-concept in your environment.

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Curated by NaveenKumar Namachivayam (QAInsights) · methodology: https://perf.jmeter.ai/about/#methodology · corrections: https://github.com/QAInsights/Performance-Testing-Tools/issues/new?title=Tool%20submission%3A%20&body=Tool%20name%3A%20%0AOfficial%20URL%3A%20%0AWhat%20should%20be%20added%20or%20corrected%3F%20%0A