PostgreSQL vs MariaDB Server

PostgreSQL9.3Visit MariaDB Server8.9Visit

Higher score PostgreSQL #2 in Sql Databases 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit PostgreSQL

vs

MariaDB Server #6 in Sql Databases 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit MariaDB

• PostgreSQL fits best

  Teams needing open-source SQL and advanced data features

• MariaDB Server fits best

  Free, self-hosted MySQL-compatible databases

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Side by side

Feature	PostgreSQL 9.3/10 Visit ↗	MariaDB Server 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.9
Ranking	#2 in Sql Databases	#6 in Sql Databases
Best for	Teams needing open-source SQL and advanced data features	Free, self-hosted MySQL-compatible databases
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Linux, Windows
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features PostgreSQL 0/1 · MariaDB Server 0/1
Managed backups	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment options	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
SQL standard support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Included storage	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Availability SLA	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Replication options	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Relational SQL plus native JSON and JSONB types JSONB indexing and JSON-specific operators Replication, standby reads, and high-availability configurations	GPLv2 open source licensing and a free plan Read scaling, primary-replica replication and Galera clustering Connectors for C, Java, ODBC, Python and Node.js
Cons	Self-hosted deployment requires managing the database environment No vendor-hosted managed database service Support is through community resources and documentation	Self-hosted deployment requires managing the database environment Listed platforms are limited to Linux and Windows Support channels are community and documentation
Our verdict	PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database for storing, querying, and managing structured data. It serves developers, database administrators, and organizations that want to operate their own SQL database, from solo projects… Read the review →	MariaDB Server is an open source, SQL-based relational database for developers and organizations that need a self-hosted option compatible with common MySQL-based applications. It supports transactional workloads, analytics and embedded… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• PostgreSQL — where it wins

  • Relational SQL plus native JSON and JSONB types
  • JSONB indexing and JSON-specific operators
  • Replication, standby reads, and high-availability configurations

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-hosted deployment requires managing the database environment
  • No vendor-hosted managed database service
  • Support is through community resources and documentation

• MariaDB Server — where it wins

  • GPLv2 open source licensing and a free plan
  • Read scaling, primary-replica replication and Galera clustering
  • Connectors for C, Java, ODBC, Python and Node.js

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-hosted deployment requires managing the database environment
  • Listed platforms are limited to Linux and Windows
  • Support channels are community and documentation

• PostgreSQL9.3/10 · Free plan

  A self-hosted SQL database with JSONB features, replication, and high availability.

  Visit PostgreSQLFull verdict →
• MariaDB Server8.9/10 · Free plan

  A self-hosted, MySQL-compatible database with replication, clustering and multiple connectors.

  Visit MariaDBFull verdict →