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Home/Categories/Databases & Storage/PostgreSQL
icon of PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL

Open source alternative to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, Google Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL and Azure Database for PostgreSQL

  • 22.5K stars
  • PostgreSQL
  • Active this week
  • Last commit 1 day ago

Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Run a reliable open source relational database for transactional apps, analytics, geospatial workloads, and self-hosted infrastructure.

Visit websiteGitHub22.5K stars1-click deploy on Hostinger
image of PostgreSQL
TL;DR

PostgreSQL is a PostgreSQL-licensed relational database for transactional applications, analytics-adjacent workloads, geospatial data, JSON documents, and extensible database systems. It replaces proprietary databases such as Oracle Database or Microsoft SQL Server when teams want open source ownership without giving up SQL depth. It is the default serious relational database choice for many web and backend teams.

Read the full breakdownHide the full breakdownWho it is for, how it works, trade-offs and the FAQ
who it's for

Who PostgreSQL is for#

Backend teams choosing a primary database

PostgreSQL is a strong default for transactional web apps, APIs, and internal systems.

Skip if:

Skip if your workload is purely analytical at warehouse scale from day one.

Teams leaving proprietary relational databases

PostgreSQL gives strong SQL capability without Oracle or SQL Server licensing models.

Skip if:

Skip if your application depends on proprietary database features that have no practical PostgreSQL equivalent.

the problem

The problem it solves#

Application data becomes expensive to move once the database owns transactions, permissions, reporting, and operational history. Proprietary databases can add licensing costs and platform constraints just when the system becomes critical.

Teams need a database that can handle ordinary relational workloads while growing into full-text search, JSON, geospatial queries, replication, and custom extensions. The goal is not novelty; it is a reliable open database with enough depth to stay useful for years.

how PostgreSQL solves it

How it solves it#

ACID relational database

PostgreSQL provides transactional integrity, SQL support, constraints, indexes, and query planning for serious application data.

Extensibility model

Developers can add extensions, custom types, functions, and indexes, which lets PostgreSQL cover use cases beyond basic relational storage.

JSON and full-text capabilities

PostgreSQL can handle structured relational data alongside JSON documents and built-in search features.

Replication and backup ecosystem

The database has mature patterns for replication, backups, high availability, and managed service operation.

strengths · trade-offs

Strengths and trade-offs#

Strengths

  • Open source database depthPostgreSQL combines open source licensing with advanced relational features that often reduce the need for proprietary database products.
  • Large ecosystem and hosting choiceTeams can self-host PostgreSQL or use managed services from many vendors without changing the core database model.

Trade-offs

  • -Requires database administration skillProduction PostgreSQL still needs schema design, indexing, monitoring, backups, vacuum tuning, and capacity planning.
  • -Not always the right specialized storeHigh-scale search, graph, time-series, or analytical workloads may need dedicated systems or extensions depending on the workload.
versus alternatives

PostgreSQL vs alternatives#

PostgreSQL vs Oracle Database

PostgreSQL and Oracle Database are both serious relational databases. PostgreSQL gives teams open source ownership and broad hosting choice; Oracle provides a proprietary enterprise database with deep vendor support and specialized features.

CriteriaPostgreSQLOracle Database
LicensePostgreSQL LicenseProprietary
Self-hostingYesYes, under Oracle licensing
EcosystemOpen source and broad managed servicesEnterprise Oracle ecosystem
Best fitOpen primary application databaseOracle-standard enterprise environments

PostgreSQL is better when teams want open source SQL depth, hosting flexibility, and lower licensing friction. Oracle remains better when the organization depends on Oracle-specific features, vendor support, and existing enterprise contracts.

tech stack · detected from GitHub

What it's built on#

Languages
CPerlPython
frequently asked

FAQ#

Is PostgreSQL open source?

Yes. PostgreSQL is open source under the PostgreSQL License, a permissive open source license.

Can PostgreSQL replace Oracle Database?

PostgreSQL can replace Oracle for many relational application workloads, but migrations need feature, procedure, and performance review.

Is PostgreSQL only for web apps?

No. PostgreSQL supports many workloads, including transactional apps, geospatial data, JSON-heavy apps, full-text search, and analytical-adjacent queries.

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Hostinger

Run PostgreSQL on your own server

Hostinger sets PostgreSQL up as a one-click app on a VPS.

Deploy on Hostinger

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