I've used various commercial databases over the years. Some popular commercial databases relevant to HN readers include Web of Science, Scopus, and Engineering Village. When I worked at the USPTO, I used the less popular database Dialog, which I preferred. To my knowledge, none of these are available direct to consumers. I've only been able to get access from places with subscriptions. Some university libraries allow visitors where you can use these databases for free on-site.
I would call these databases complementary, not "entirely superior". There are two main advantages. One is that these databases will contain many things that you can't find on Google. The second advantage of these databases is that they are designed for advanced searchers and have more powerful query languages. Google on the other hand is dumbed down and will try to guess what you want, often doing a poor job. You can get very specific on these databases in ways that you can't with Google.
Related: I'm somewhat fascinated by more specialized bibliographic databases because they often contain things that can't be found on Google or the major commercial databases I listed above. I started keeping a list of them. https://github.com/btrettel/specialized-bibs
On a related note, if you studied and got a degree at a university, check if they have an alumni program. I pay a small yearly fee that lets me access the university's academic databases and their VPN, so I get some other perks as it looks like I'm connected through eduroam.
reminds me that my first taste of the internet was the days where you pretty much had t have a university account. I used a friend's, and was blown away by what I found on Usenet
Super helpful, thanks! Used to be up on the Databases when in school years ago, but it’s been so long. I wouldn’t actually know which ones are any good anymore did recognize scopus rest are new to me
