Tech riderRev. 3 Oct 2026

PgBouncer

Ch 086.7of 30 Database Proxy Software

1Runs onLinux, self-hosted, Windows
2CostsFree plan
3Deployment modelself-hosted
4Connection poolingYes
5Query routingNo
6Load balancingYes
7Automatic failoverNo
8Supported databasesPostgreSQL

8 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: pgbouncer.org

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Overview

PgBouncer is ranked #8 of 30 in database proxy software on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, Self-hosted, Windows. There is a free plan.

PgBouncer plans and pricing

All plans

PgBouncer Free Source release available · self-hosted software pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on database proxy software

Free plan: Yespgbouncer.org
Deployment model: self-hostedpgbouncer.org
Connection pooling: Yespgbouncer.org
Query routing: Nopgbouncer.org
Load balancing: Yespgbouncer.org
Automatic failover: Nopgbouncer.org
Supported databases: PostgreSQLpgbouncer.org

Facts

Purpose: PgBouncer is a PostgreSQL connection pooler that reuses server connections to reduce the performance impact of opening new connections.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Pooling modes: It supports session, transaction, and statement pooling, with statement pooling disallowing multi-statement transactions.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Memory: The features page lists default memory requirements of 2 kB per connection.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Backend hosts: PgBouncer can route to destination databases on different hosts and is not tied to one backend server.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Prepared statements: It can track protocol-level prepared statements in transaction and statement pooling when max_prepared_statements is non-zero.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Authentication: Documented authentication options include client certificates, SCRAM-SHA-256, LDAP, PAM, and HBA-based configuration.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
TLS: The installation documentation lists OpenSSL 1.0.1 or later as a build dependency for TLS support.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Operating systems: The installation page documents running PgBouncer on Windows and specifies MinGW as its only supported Windows build environment.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Build dependencies: Building requires Libevent 2.0 or later, pkg-config, and a C11-capable compiler; OpenSSL is needed for TLS support.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Integrations: Optional build integrations include PAM, LDAP, and systemd support.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Failover: PgBouncer does not provide internal failover-host configuration or detection; its FAQ describes DNS reconfiguration and external tools as options.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Release and security: The homepage says version 1.26.0, released September 23, 2026, fixes three denial-of-service CVEs.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Distribution: The downloads page offers source releases and points to native OS packages and dedicated RPM and Debian package repositories.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026