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Best PostgreSQL Alternatives in 2026

Free#1 of 37 in Relational DatabasesSql DatabasesDatabase SoftwareTransaction Data Store Software

The top PostgreSQL alternatives are MySQL, Oracle Database and Microsoft SQL Server: 15 relational databases our editors would look at instead of PostgreSQL, in our ranking order.

9.4/10Editor score
Visit PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL9.4 Visit PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL: A free, extensible relational database for production workloads and technical teams. Where it falls short: self-hosted deployment requires installation and administration.

Switching from PostgreSQL? For most relational databases buyers the best PostgreSQL alternative is MySQL, built for versatile open-source SQL deployments. Oracle Autonomous AI Database offers the most backup retention (60 days).

Why People Look for a PostgreSQL Alternative

  • Self-hosted deployment requires installation and administration
  • No built-in AI features
  • Requires technical expertise for advanced configuration and security
  • No managed service — 11 of the alternatives below have it

Quick Picks by What You Need

All 15 PostgreSQL Alternatives, Ranked

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

  1. MySQL

    Best forVersatile open-source SQL deployments

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A versatile open-source SQL database with replication, JSON, connectors, and failover.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    Free plan Our MySQL verdict → Visit MySQL
    9.3/10★★★★★
    Visit MySQL
  2. Oracle Database

    Best forEnterprise databases with broad capabilities

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A mature enterprise database with unusually broad data-model and availability capabilities.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    Free plan Our Oracle Database verdict → Visit Oracle
    9.2/10★★★★★
    Visit Oracle
  3. Microsoft SQL Server

    Best forMicrosoft-centered enterprise workloads

    A broad Microsoft database platform for enterprise and hybrid deployments.

    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    • High availability
    Free plan Our Microsoft SQL Server verdict → Visit site
    9.1/10★★★★★
    Visit site
  4. Amazon Aurora

    Best forScalable managed PostgreSQL or MySQL

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A managed AWS database for scalable PostgreSQL, MySQL, and distributed SQL workloads.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    Our Amazon Aurora verdict → Visit AWS Aurora
    9.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit AWS Aurora
  5. Azure SQL Database

    Best forLow-cost managed SQL Server

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A low-cost managed SQL Server service with a free offer and Azure-native features.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    Free plan Our Azure SQL Database verdict → Visit Azure SQL
    8.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Azure SQL
  6. Google Cloud SQL

    Best forManaged databases in Google Cloud

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A managed MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server service with strong Google Cloud integration.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • High availability
    Our Google Cloud SQL verdict → Visit Google Cloud
    8.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit Google Cloud
  7. Amazon RDS

    Best forManaged multi-engine AWS databases

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A managed AWS database service for teams needing engine choice and operational automation.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    Our Amazon RDS verdict → Visit Amazon RDS
    8.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit Amazon RDS
  8. Oracle Autonomous AI Database

    Best forAutomated Oracle cloud databases

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A strong fit for Oracle-centric teams seeking managed operations and built-in continuity.

    • Managed service
    • JSON data support
    • High availability
    Free plan · 30-day trial Our Oracle Autonomous AI Database verdict → Visit Oracle
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Oracle
  9. SQLite

    Best forEmbedded databases for applications

    A free, serverless SQL engine for applications that need local, embedded storage.

    • JSON data support
    Free plan Our SQLite verdict → Visit SQLite
    8.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit SQLite
  10. MariaDB Server

    Best forOpen-source MySQL-compatible deployments

    A self-hosted MySQL-compatible server with replication, clustering, JSON, and sharding options.

    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    • High availability
    Free plan Our MariaDB Server verdict → Visit MariaDB
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit MariaDB
  11. SAP HANA Cloud

    Best forSAP enterprise data workloads

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A broad managed database for SAP workloads, with contact-sales pricing and no free plan.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    Free plan · pricing on request Our SAP HANA Cloud verdict → Visit SAP HANA Cloud
    8.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit SAP HANA Cloud
  12. AlloyDB for PostgreSQL

    Best forAnalytics-oriented managed PostgreSQL

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A managed PostgreSQL service for demanding transactional, analytical, and AI workloads.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    From $0.07 · 30-day trial Our AlloyDB for PostgreSQL verdict → Visit Google Cloud
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit Google Cloud
  13. Azure Database for PostgreSQL

    Best forManaged PostgreSQL on Azure

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A managed PostgreSQL service for Azure workloads needing availability, replicas, and private networking.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    Our Azure Database for PostgreSQL verdict → Visit site
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  14. Azure Database for MySQL

    Best forManaged MySQL on Azure

    • Better than PostgreSQL:
    • Managed service

    A flexible managed MySQL service for applications built on Azure.

    • Managed service
    • Read replicas
    • JSON data support
    Our Azure Database for MySQL verdict → Visit site
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  15. Firebird

    Best forLightweight open-source databases

    A capable, free SQL database for teams comfortable managing their own deployments.

    • Read replicas
    • High availability
    Free plan Our Firebird verdict → Visit Firebird
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Firebird

PostgreSQL Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to PostgreSQL?

MySQL: #2 in our Relational Databases ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A versatile open-source SQL database with replication, JSON, connectors, and failover.

Is there a free alternative to PostgreSQL?

Yes. MySQL, Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL Database and Oracle Autonomous AI Database have a free plan or a free tier (9 of the 15 alternatives on this page).

Why do people look for PostgreSQL alternatives?

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

Which PostgreSQL alternative has the most backup retention?

Oracle Autonomous AI Database, with 60 days.

How do I switch from PostgreSQL?

Export your data from PostgreSQL (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel PostgreSQL.

How to Switch from PostgreSQL

  1. Export your data from PostgreSQL (most tools have an export in their settings).
  2. Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
  3. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
  4. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel PostgreSQL.

PostgreSQL vs Each Alternative

#ToolFree planPaid fromDeployment modelManaged serviceHigh availabilityRead replicasScore
1PostgreSQLYesFreeSelf_hostedNoYesYes9.4
1MySQLYesBothYesYesYes9.3
2Oracle DatabaseYesBothYesYesYes9.2
3Microsoft SQL ServerYesBothNoYesYes9.1
4Amazon AuroraNoCloudYesYesYes9.0
5Azure SQL DatabaseYesCloudYesYesYes8.9
6Google Cloud SQLNo$0.04 usage-basedCloudYesYesYes8.8
7Amazon RDSNoBothYesYesYes8.7
8Oracle Autonomous AI DatabaseYesBothYesYes8.6
9SQLiteYesFreeSelf_hostedNo8.5
10MariaDB ServerYesFreeSelf_hostedYesYes8.4
11SAP HANA CloudYesCloudYesYesYes8.3
12AlloyDB for PostgreSQLNoCloudYesYesYes8.2
13Azure Database for PostgreSQLNoCloudYesYesYes8.1
14Azure Database for MySQLNoCloudYesYesYes8.0
15FirebirdYesFreeSelf_hostedYesYes7.9

Head-to-Head

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update