The only real feature MariaDB offers over vanilla MySQL and Percona is an improved optimizer for complex sql queries [1]. In most cases Percona seems to be a w

The only real feature MariaDB offers over vanilla MySQL and Percona is an improved optimizer for complex sql queries [1]. In most cases Percona seems to be a win over both MySQL and MariaDB as it is just patch layer over MySQL with features and tweaks that real production users see and need. These features tend to end up in future MySQL releases like saving and restoring the buffer pool allowing mysql to warm start. I believe that feature made it in to MySQL 5.6 but was added to percona/mysql 5.1. [1] http://blog.mariadb.org/mariadb-5-3-optimizer-benchmark/ http://blog.mariadb.org/mariadb-5-3-optimizer-benchmark/