An online database is a database accessible from a network, including from the Internet.
It differs from a local database, held in an individual computer or its attached storage, such as a CD.
- For the system or software designed to manage a database, see Database management systems (DBMS)
- For information on the structure of a database itself, see Database
- For information on the programs for searching a database, see Search engines
Currently, there are several database products designed specifically as hosted databases delivered as software as a service products. These differ from typical traditional databases such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase, etc. Some of the differences are:
- These online databases are delivered primarily via a web browser
- They are often purchased by a monthly subscription
- They embed common collaboration features such as sharing, email notifications, etc.
- For information on the contents of specific types of database, see
- Bibliographic databases
- Customer relationship management
- To learn about generic online databases that can be used by any software application, see Cloud database.