What Interbase does

InterBase is an embeddable, multi-platform SQL database originally created in the 1980s and currently distributed by Embarcadero Inc., a US-based software tools subsidiary of the diversified software group Idera. It is one of the first enterprise-grade relational databases ever produced and was the first DBMS to implement Multi-Version Concurrency Control (referred to as InterBase's Multi-Generational Architecture). The product is differentiated by a patented field-level change synchronization technology called ChangeViews™ and by a single on-disk format that supports both server and embedded deployments across Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and embedded systems.

The core offering is a unified database engine sold in five editions: a free Developer Edition for evaluation, a free ToGo Lite for lightweight embedded use, a subscription ToGo Pro for mobile/embedded commercial deployments, and perpetual Desktop and Server Editions for production use. Revenue is generated through a mix of one-time perpetual licenses, annual subscriptions, OEM/VAR volume licensing with deep discounts for ISVs embedding InterBase in commercial software, and maintenance contracts bundled with Server licenses. The most recent releases — InterBase 15 and 15.1 in 2025 — added AES-256 encryption by default, TLS 1.2+ with OpenSSL 3.5 LTS, optional FIPS 140-3 compliance, expanded platform support, and modern toolchain improvements.

InterBase primarily serves software developers and software vendors building cross-platform mobile, desktop, IoT, edge, and enterprise applications that require a small-footprint, zero-admin SQL database with strong security and offline-capable change synchronization. Primary customer segments are IoT and embedded systems, mobile application developers, enterprise server deployments, and ISV/OEM/VAR partners embedding the database in commercial products. Distribution is multi-channel: direct e-commerce, enterprise sales, free developer downloads, OEM/VAR partner programs, and the GetIt package manager inside RAD Studio, Delphi, and C++Builder. The product has a claimed community of over 3 million developers worldwide and is localized across seven languages, but revenue, headcount, and financial details are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Interbase

Legal name

Embarcadero Inc.

Website

https://interbase.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

InterBase is an embeddable, multi-platform SQL database with patented ChangeViews™ change synchronization and MVCC architecture, sold by Embarcadero/Idera to developers and ISVs building cross-platform mobile, desktop, IoT, and enterprise applications across Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Embedded SQL Database

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Embedded / Edge Databases (HDAEAAAM)

Keywords

• SQL database management
• Embedded database
• Database encryption
• Change data capture
• Multi-platform database

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses - Perpetual: One-time perpetual license sales for Desktop Edition and Server Edition with optional maintenance renewal. Server licenses include one year of Maintenance.
2. Subscription Licenses: ToGo Pro subscription-based licensing for mobile and embedded deployments with ongoing support and updates. Update Subscription renewal for existing license holders.
3. Free Developer Tools: Developer Edition and ToGo Lite available free for development and evaluation purposes, driving adoption and future upgrade opportunities.
4. OEM/Embedded Licensing: Volume licensing for OEMs and VARs embedding InterBase in their software products, with deep discounts for high-volume deployments.
5. Maintenance and Support: Annual maintenance subscriptions providing updates, technical support, and access to new releases. Server licenses include one year of Maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

InterBase sells an enterprise-class SQL database that is deployed as a small-footprint, cross-platform engine on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. It is offered in multiple editions (Developer, ToGo Lite, ToGo, Desktop, Server, and ToGo Pro subscription) under perpetual, OEM/embedded, and commercial licensing. The product is targeted at enterprises, ISVs, and individual developers who need a secure, low-administration embedded database with advanced change tracking and encryption built in.

Product overview

InterBase is a single unified database product line offered in multiple editions (Developer, ToGo Lite, ToGo, Desktop, Server) for mobile, desktop, and server deployments. The core InterBase database provides ultrafast, scalable, embeddable SQL database functionality with patented ChangeViews change synchronization technology. Connectivity is enabled through standards-based drivers including ODBC, JDBC, ADO.NET, and Python. All editions share the same codebase with licensing differentiating between embedded deployment, desktop use, and server deployment scenarios.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• InterBase Developer Edition A free edition of the InterBase SQL database intended for developers to learn, evaluate, and build non-production applications. Targets individual developers and small teams getting started with InterBase.
• InterBase ToGo Lite A free embedded edition of InterBase targeted at mobile and IoT applications, allowing developers to ship a small SQL database inside their apps at no cost. Designed for evaluation and lightweight embedded use.
• InterBase ToGo A licensed embedded edition of InterBase for mobile and IoT applications, enabling developers to ship a small, secure SQL database inside their own commercial products under a ToGo license.
• InterBase ToGo Pro (Subscription) A subscription-based commercial license to the InterBase ToGo embedded database, providing mobile and IoT developers with a paid, supported, annually-renewed distribution option for embedding the database in their applications.
• InterBase Desktop Edition A commercial per-user/per-deployment license of InterBase for desktop applications, targeted at developers building workstation or small-workgroup applications requiring a secure local SQL database.
• InterBase Server Edition A commercial server license of InterBase for multi-user enterprise and workgroup deployments, providing full client/server SQL database functionality with encryption, ChangeViews, and cross-platform support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Award-winning change synchronization with up to 40% smaller data deltas
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SQLite: The dominant embedded SQL database worldwide, embedded in nearly every mobile OS and countless applications. Directly competes with InterBase ToGo for the same mobile and embedded developer use case.
• Firebird SQL: Open-source relational database forked from InterBase in the early 2000s. Closest direct competitor in the embedded, multi-platform RDBMS category with overlapping feature set including MVCC-style versioning.
• Realm (MongoDB): Mobile-first embedded object database from MongoDB targeting iOS/Android developers. Competes head-to-head with InterBase ToGo for mobile application data persistence and sync.
• H2 Database: Open-source embedded Java SQL database commonly used in embedded and lightweight server scenarios. Competes with InterBase on footprint and zero-admin criteria for application-embedded use cases.
• Couchbase Lite: Embedded NoSQL database for mobile and IoT with built-in sync. Competes for the same offline-first, edge, and IoT embedded database use cases InterBase ToGo addresses.

Broad incumbents

• Oracle Database: Premier enterprise RDBMS competing for high-end server and enterprise database deployments where InterBase Server Edition is positioned.
• PostgreSQL: Leading open-source RDBMS with broad enterprise adoption. Competes with InterBase Server Edition in server and enterprise deployment scenarios, though heavier footprint.
• Microsoft SQL Server: Enterprise RDBMS from Microsoft with comparable Server Edition positioning. InterBase's marketing explicitly compares against MSSQL for security, footprint, and total cost.
• MySQL: Widely deployed open-source RDBMS. Competes with InterBase Server Edition for SMB and enterprise database workloads with a much larger installed base.

Emerging players

• DuckDB: Modern embedded analytical SQL database gaining traction for in-process analytics. Represents the new wave of embedded SQL engines competing for developer mindshare against legacy embedded databases like InterBase.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/interbase
• Facebookfacebook.com/InterBase2020.embt

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Interbase