Odyssey

Free#13 of 31 in Database Proxy Software

Odyssey: A focused self-hosted proxy for PostgreSQL pooling, routing, balancing, and observability. Ranked #13 of 31 in Database Proxy Software by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Open source; best for focused PostgreSQL pooling and routing.

7.9/10Editor score

Visit Odyssey

Odyssey7.9 Visit Odyssey

At a glance

Editor score
7.9 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Focused PostgreSQL pooling and routing
Paid from
Free
Deployment model
Self-hosted
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Supports both session and transaction connection pooling
- Routes and balances traffic across PostgreSQL backends
- Includes TLS, Prometheus metrics, and online restart
Where it doesn't
- Supports PostgreSQL rather than multiple database engines
- Requires teams to operate a self-hosted deployment
- Failover workflows are centered on routing and backend selection

Our verdict on Odyssey

Odyssey is a self-hosted, multi-threaded proxy for teams operating PostgreSQL infrastructure. It pools client connections in session or transaction mode, applies database- and user-based routing rules, and distributes traffic across PostgreSQL backends. Linux and macOS are supported, while PostgreSQL is the supported database system. Its open-source model suits engineering teams that want to manage the proxy within their own infrastructure rather than adopt a hosted database proxy service.

The feature set is focused but substantial for PostgreSQL operations. Odyssey supports primary and standby selection through target session attributes, load balancing, TLS, and multiple authentication methods. Administrators can control pool size, timeouts, connection lifetime, cancellation, and rollback behavior. The administrative console provides client, server, pool, and storage commands, while a Prometheus metrics exporter supports operational monitoring. Online restart without downtime is also included, making the proxy useful where configuration or process management needs to avoid interrupting service.

Odyssey is strongest when PostgreSQL pooling and request routing are the central requirements. It can be distributed through PostgreSQL-related packages, Docker images, or source builds, but its self-hosted deployment model places infrastructure operation with the adopting team. The product is less suitable for organizations seeking a database-agnostic proxy or a managed service with a separately defined failover offering. Choose Odyssey for focused control over PostgreSQL connections, backend selection, and observability; choose an alternative when broader database coverage or a managed operating model is more important.

Questions about Odyssey

What does Odyssey run on? Linux and macOS. It runs self-hosted.

What does Odyssey integrate with? 2 integrations: PostgreSQL and Prometheus.

Who is Odyssey built for? Small businesses, mid-market companies and enterprises (our editorial estimate).

Your product? Our editors can test Odyssey in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Odyssey pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on pg-odyssey.tech

Odyssey fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Deployment model	Self-hosted
Connection pooling	Yes
Query routing	Yes
Load balancing	Yes
Automatic failover	Yes
Supported databases	PostgreSQL
Maximum connections	Not verified
Deployment	Self-hosted
Platforms	Linux, macOS
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations	2 integrations: PostgreSQL, Prometheus
Pricing	Open source
Website	pg-odyssey.tech
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Odyssey integrations

Odyssey lists 2 integrations on its own site.

PostgreSQL
Prometheus

Alternatives to Odyssey

See all Odyssey alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

Odyssey is listed in our Database Proxy Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

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Last updated 14 Nov 2026 · How we research and update