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MariaDB is a community-developed, fully open-source fork of MySQL, offering strong compatibility with MySQL-based applications (WordPress, WHMCS, Joomla) plus additional performance features.

Prerequisites

• Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 or Debian 11/12 VPS
• Root or sudo access

Step 1 — Update the System

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2 — Install MariaDB

sudo apt install mariadb-server mariadb-client -y

Step 3 — Enable and Start MariaDB

sudo systemctl enable mariadb
sudo systemctl start mariadb
sudo systemctl status mariadb

Step 4 — Secure the Installation

sudo mariadb-secure-installation

Set a strong root password, remove anonymous users, disable remote root login, remove the test database, and reload privileges — recommended for every option.

Step 5 — Log In

sudo mariadb

Step 6 — Create a Database and User

CREATE DATABASE myapp;
CREATE USER 'appuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'CHANGE_ME_STRONG_PASSWORD';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON myapp.* TO 'appuser'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Verifying the Installation

mariadb --version

Common Errors

MariaDB won't start:

sudo journalctl -u mariadb

Access denied — verify credentials and that FLUSH PRIVILEGES was run after granting access.

Best Practices

• Never use the root account for application connections
• Create a dedicated database and user per application
• Enable regular automated backups
• Keep MariaDB updated with regular system updates

FAQ

Can I migrate directly from MySQL to MariaDB?
Generally yes for standard SQL usage — MariaDB maintains strong wire and data-format compatibility, though it's worth testing application-specific queries before switching a production system.

Related Articles

• How to Install and Secure MySQL 8 on Ubuntu & Debian
• How to Back Up and Restore MySQL/MariaDB Databases
• How to Tune MySQL/MariaDB Performance for a VPS