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Head-to-head · Relational Databases

PostgreSQL vs MySQL

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score PostgreSQL #1 in Relational Databases 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit PostgreSQL
MySQL #2 in Relational Databases 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit MySQL

PostgreSQL leads on 0 checks, MySQL on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePostgreSQL · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMySQL · 4 of 4

PostgreSQL scores higher on our rubric for relational databases: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

On deployment model, MySQL gives you Both where PostgreSQL offers Self_hosted. MySQL offers managed service; PostgreSQL doesn't.

PostgreSQL is the better fit for open-source production databases. MySQL is the better fit for versatile open-source SQL deployments.

  • PostgreSQL fits best

    Open-source production databases

  • MySQL fits best

    Versatile open-source SQL deployments

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Side by side

Feature PostgreSQL 9.4/10 Visit ↗ MySQL 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in Relational Databases #2 in Relational Databases
Best for Open-source production databases Versatile open-source SQL deployments
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs · 24/7
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features PostgreSQL 3/4 · MySQL 4/4
Managed service — ✓ (best)
High availability ✓ ✓
Read replicas ✓ ✓
JSON data support ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Self_hosted Both
Backup retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Maximum connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Advanced indexing, partitioning, replication, and failover
  • Supports SQL, JSONB, transactions, and concurrency control
  • Free, open source, and available on Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Free Community Edition with SQL, JSON, replication, and stored procedures
  • Supports self-hosted, cloud, Windows, macOS, and Linux deployments
  • Includes connectors and MySQL Workbench for development and administration
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires installation and administration
  • No built-in AI features
  • Requires technical expertise for advanced configuration and security
  • Commercial editions and HeatWave require Oracle Store or sales contact
  • Backup retention and maximum connections vary by deployment
  • Multiple storage engines and deployment options add architecture decisions
Our verdict

PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database system for developers, data engineers, and organizations that need SQL-based relational storage with extensibility. It handles structured data alongside JSON and JSONB, and supports…

Read the review →

MySQL is an open-source relational database system for web, cloud, mobile, embedded, and enterprise applications. It supports SQL and relational processing alongside a native JSON type, JSON functions, stored procedures, triggers, views,…

Read the review →
  1. PostgreSQLRelational Databases 9.4Free plan
  2. MySQLRelational Databases 9.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • PostgreSQL — where it wins

    • Advanced indexing, partitioning, replication, and failover
    • Supports SQL, JSONB, transactions, and concurrency control
    • Free, open source, and available on Linux, macOS, and Windows

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires installation and administration
    • No built-in AI features
    • Requires technical expertise for advanced configuration and security

  • MySQL — where it wins

    • Free Community Edition with SQL, JSON, replication, and stored procedures
    • Supports self-hosted, cloud, Windows, macOS, and Linux deployments
    • Includes connectors and MySQL Workbench for development and administration

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial editions and HeatWave require Oracle Store or sales contact
    • Backup retention and maximum connections vary by deployment
    • Multiple storage engines and deployment options add architecture decisions

More comparisons

All relational databases comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update