MySQL vs PostgreSQL
MySQL
mysql.comPostgreSQL
postgresql.orgSide by side
| Figure | MySQL | PostgreSQL |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 18 | 1 |
| Spec score · Database Software | 9.5 (#1) | 8.3 (#34) |
| Spec score · Sql Databases | 8.9 (#2) | 7.7 (#18) |
| Spec score · Relational Databases | 8.9 (#4) | 7.6 (#23) |
| Spec score · Transaction Data Store Software | 8.9 (#5) | 7.6 (#24) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Support | MySQL Enterprise technical support provides 24x7 direct access to MySQL support engineers. | Community support options include documentation, community resources, mailing lists, and IRC, while commercial support and PostgreSQL-specific hosting are available from listed providers. |
Plans
MySQL
- Community EditionPrice not published
- Community EditionPriced on request
- Standard EditionPriced on request
- Standard EditionPrice not published
- Enterprise EditionPriced on request
- Enterprise EditionPrice not published
- Cluster Carrier Grade EditionPriced on request
- Cluster Carrier Grade EditionPrice not published
- MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade EditionPriced on request
- MySQL Enterprise EditionPriced on request
In their own words
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is a free, open-source database system for storing and scaling complex data workloads. It uses SQL and adds object-relational capabilities, with support for primitive and structured values as well as documents, geometric data, and custom types. Its supported formats include JSON/JSONB, XML, arrays, ranges, and UUIDs. For data integrity, it provides keys, constraints, locks, transactions, savepoints, and SQL-standard transaction isolation levels. Performance tools include multiple index types, query planning and optimization, parallel processing, partitioning, just-in-time expression compilation, and asynchronous I/O. Recovery and availability features include write-ahead logging, several replication methods, point-in-time recovery, and active standbys. Security options include multiple authentication methods, access controls, row- and column-level security, and multi-factor authentication. Extensions, procedural languages, and foreign data wrappers can connect PostgreSQL to other databases or streams. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and is self-hosted; no managed service is listed. The PostgreSQL License permits use, copying, modification, and distribution without a fee, subject to its conditions.