Understanding the Differences between MySQLdb, mysqlclient, and MySQL Connector/Python for Python MySQL Development

When developing database applications with Python, navigating the choices between MySQLdb, mysqlclient, and MySQL Connector/Python can be overwhelming. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand their distinctions.

MySQLdb

MySQLdb is a deprecated Python module that was originally developed by Google. It requires an external C library dependency (mysql-devel) for its operation. While still supported, it is not recommended for new deployments.

mysqlclient

mysqlclient is the current successor to MySQLdb and is the fastest MySQL connector for CPython. It depends on the mysql-connector-c C library and provides a C-level driver for enhanced performance.

MySQL Connector/Python

MySQL Connector/Python is an official MySQL connector developed by Oracle. Written entirely in Python, it is available through conda but not on PyPI due to licensing constraints. Its performance is generally considered inferior to mysqlclient.

Usage Recommendations

• mysqlclient: Use mysqlclient for optimal performance in most applications.
• PyMySQL: Consider PyMySQL if you cannot use libmysqlclient, require monkeypatching for asynchronous frameworks, or intend to modify the MySQL protocol.
• MySQL Connector/Python: Use MySQL Connector/Python if you specifically require a pure Python solution or have specific licensing considerations.

Performance Benchmarks

Benchmarks have consistently shown that mysqlclient outperforms pure Python clients such as PyMySQL. The significant speed advantage of mysqlclient makes it the preferred choice for demanding applications.