ODBC vs JDBC: What’s the Difference?

Galaxy Glossary

What’s the difference between ODBC and JDBC?

ODBC and JDBC are both APIs used to connect applications to databases, but they differ in language support, architecture, and platform compatibility. This guide compares them side by side to help developers choose the right option.

Sign up for the latest in SQL knowledge from the Galaxy Team!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Description

ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) and JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) are APIs that allow applications to interact with relational databases—but they’re built for different ecosystems.

ODBC is a language-independent API developed by Microsoft. It allows applications written in C, Python, .NET, and more to connect to various databases through drivers. It's especially common in Windows environments.

JDBC, created by Oracle, is a Java-specific API that allows Java programs to execute SQL queries, manage database connections, and retrieve results directly from Java code. It's tightly integrated into the Java ecosystem.

Key differences include:

  • ODBC is language-agnostic; JDBC is Java-only.
  • ODBC is more common on Windows; JDBC runs anywhere Java runs.
  • JDBC is faster in Java apps because it's native to the JVM.
  • ODBC requires system-installed drivers; JDBC uses Java-based drivers.

Why ODBC vs JDBC: What’s the Difference? is important

Understanding the difference between ODBC and JDBC helps developers choose the right database connectivity API for their application's environment. If you're working in Java, JDBC is the go-to choice. If you're in a polyglot or Windows-heavy ecosystem, ODBC might make more sense. Choosing the right API impacts performance, compatibility, and maintainability.

ODBC vs JDBC: What’s the Difference? Example Usage

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use JDBC in non-Java environments?
No. JDBC is designed for Java applications only and requires the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to run.

Can Java applications use ODBC?
Yes, through the JDBC-ODBC bridge. However, it's outdated and not supported in recent versions of Java.

Which is better, ODBC or JDBC?
It depends on your environment. Use JDBC for Java-based applications, and ODBC for multi-language or Windows-based systems.

Want to learn about other SQL terms?

Data Modeling: Blueprinting Your Data for Accuracy, Scale, and Speed

Data modeling is the process of designing a logical and physical structure for data so it can be stored, queried, and maintained efficiently and accurately.

Data Ingestion

Data ingestion is the process of moving raw data from diverse sources into a target storage system—such as a database, data warehouse, or data lake—so it can be processed, analyzed, and ultimately turned into business value.

Data Orchestration

Data orchestration is the automated coordination of multiple data processes—extraction, transformation, loading, quality checks, alerts, and more—across disparate systems to ensure reliable, timely, and accurate data flows.

Company
BlogFeaturesPricingAboutCareersFeature Requests
Resources
Resource LibraryDocsSupportBrand Kit
Explore
Product TourData Job BoardRecruitersConsultantsStartup ToolsMemes
Learn
Learn SQLBeginner ResourcesData ToolsSQL Interview PrepCommon ErrorsSQL OptimizationSQL In Other LanguagesGlossary
Comparisons
DatagripTablePlusDBeaverBeekeeper StudiopgAdminPosticoCursorCursor
HexBrieferPopSQLSherloqBlazeSQLSweep AIWaii AIOuterbase
© 2025 Galaxy Software Inc.
hello@getgalaxy.io
Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicySecurity
Reddit IconProduct Hunt IconTwitter / X IconLinkedIn Icon