What are the top 5 PostgreSQL alternatives?

PostgreSQL is a popular and versatile object-relational database. It has a strong security architecture and offers great flexibility. Nevertheless, there are projects for which other options may be better suited. We take a look at the five best PostgreSQL alternatives.

What is PostgreSQL and what alternatives are there?

PostgreSQL is an object-relational database that originated in the 1980s.The ACID-compliant database management system, however, was officially released in 1996. Under the PostgreSQL license, it undergoes continuous development by an open-source community.

Its enduring popularity among companies, institutions and project heads is not only attributed to its rich history and committed community but also to its reputation for being extremely secure and robust. Although it’s based on a classic table structure, its flexibility can be enhanced through various extensions, and it supports large-scale scalability. With its sophisticated client-server architecture, the free version rivals many commercial databases.

In general, PostgreSQL is a flexible choice that is also compatible with numerous NoSQL solutions enabling seamless integration. Its open-source nature is also a compelling reason to choose it.

However, certain situations or projects may benefit from other systems, especially for non-relational work. It’s also important to note that PostgreSQL’s performance may not match that of some alternatives, and its learning curve can be challenging for newcomers. If you’re seeking an alternative to PostgreSQL, we have five database recommendations that are worth considering.

MongoDB—The best NoSQL database for large amounts of data

Arguably the most versatile database available today is MongoDB. The proprietary NoSQL solution, which owes its name to the word “humongous”, has been around since 2009. Designed to accommodate growing data volumes, MongoDB is trusted by major companies like Disney, Etsy and the New York Times.

Unlike traditional databases, MongoDB does away with tables, instead storing structured, semi-structured and unstructured data in binary JSON documents, which are grouped into collections. MongoDB can not only store and manage many different types of data but is also more scalable than most database management systems. Distribution across different nodes (sharding) increases both availability and reliability.

What are the benefits of MongoDB?

• Theoretically infinitely scalable
• Flexible thanks to numerous features
• Can manage and store many different types of data
• High reliability and availability
• Compatible with many languages, systems and platforms
• Quick to get started
• One of the most successful NoSQL databases with a large community

If you would like to find out more about the similarities and differences between PostgreSQL and MongoDB, you can read a comprehensive comparison of the two databases in our Digital Guide.

DynamoDB—The fully managed database from Amazon

If you’re after an alternative to PostgreSQL that’s beginner-friendly, DynamoDB fits the bill. Developed by Amazon and a part of the AWS portfolio since 2012, this serverless NoSQL solution is fully managed, so you don’t have to worry about upgrades or scaling. The security architecture comes preconfigured and is regularly updated.

Usage-based billing makes DynamoDB suitable for businesses of all sizes. With high availability and low latency, it’s a compelling choice. However, integration with AWS means you have to rely on Amazon’s ecosystem.

What are the benefits of DynamoDB?

• Very user-friendly thanks to administration
• High level of security
• Unlimited scalability
• Payment according to usage
• Good performance and high speed
• Embedded in the AWS ecosystem
• High availability

Redis—The quick addition or alternative to PostgreSQL

If PostgreSQL’s slight speed shortcomings are a concern, Redis might be a compelling addition to your database setup. You can also use it as an alternative to PostgreSQL. This NoSQL database stores data in memory, delivering response times of under one millisecond. Ideal for real-time analyses, messaging and administrative tasks, Redis shines in tasks that prioritize low latency over massive data volumes.

While it can scale both horizontally and vertically, its strength lies in speed rather than data volume. As a user-friendly solution offering minimal latency, Redis is widely regarded as one of the world’s most popular key-value stores.

What are the benefits of Redis?

• Open source
• Outstanding performance thanks to in-memory storage
• Response times of under one millisecond
• Perfectly suited for real-time analysis
• Can be combined with PostgreSQL
• Horizontally and vertically scalable
• Very user-friendly
• Compatible with many languages, platforms and systems

Apache Cassandra—The column-based NoSQL option

Apache Cassandra is a column-oriented NoSQL database designed for handling large and heterogeneous data sets. The system, which has been under development since 2008, is open source and features CQL, a query language based on SQL, facilitating a smooth transition from PostgreSQL.

Praised for its robustness, Cassandra ensures high availability across multiple nodes, making it highly reliable. Impressive query speeds are achieved without compromising system security. Embraced by major corporations like Apple and Netflix, Cassandra offers partially ACID-compliant, flexible and easily scalable solutions for enterprise-level applications and platforms.

What are the benefits of Apache Cassandra?

• Open source
• Horizontally and vertically scalable and suitable for large data volumes
• CQL is similar to SQL, which makes querying easy
• High availability and reliability
• Partially ACID-compliant (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability)
• Flexible and versatile
• Strong performance and high speed

To find out more about Apache Cassandra, check out the dedicated article in our Digital Guide.

MySQL—The relational solution from Oracle

Since Oracle acquired MySQL in 2010, many users have switched to alternatives such as PostgreSQL. Nevertheless, the relational database continues to be considered a good solution for storing structured data in a tabular format.

Renowned for its reliability, MySQL can adeptly handle substantial volumes of data. It provides various scaling options and boasts numerous interfaces. MySQL’s clear structure and user-friendliness make it accessible even to beginners. It also has a dedicated community and extensive documentation.

Transitioning from PostgreSQL is straightforward due to the shared query language, and MySQL’s impressive speed further solidifies its appeal. Additionally, MySQL offers both a free version and proprietary options.

What are the benefits of MySQL?

• Open source
• Very clear and easy to learn
• Also suitable for large amounts of data
• Fail-safe and fast
• High availability
• Compatible with numerous systems, platforms, and languages
• Part of the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
• Query language known from PostgreSQL
• Large community and extensive documentation

Find out more about MySQL and the similarities and differences between MySQL and PostgreSQL in our Digital Guide.