PostgreSQL vs MySQL: Which Database to Choose
Basics4 minInnovialabs editorial team
In short
Both databases are reliable and fit most projects. PostgreSQL is the richer choice for complex logic, reporting, JSON and geodata; MySQL is the simple, widely available option for typical websites, CMSs like WordPress and workloads of simple queries.
The short answer
PostgreSQL and MySQL are the two most popular open-source relational databases. Both support SQL, transactions, indexes and replication, and both power large products. There is no bad choice here, only a better fit.
- Choose PostgreSQL if the project has complex business logic, lots of reporting, indexed JSON, geodata or a need for extensions.
- Choose MySQL if the project runs on a PHP CMS (WordPress and similar), you need the most widely available hosting, or the team already knows MySQL well.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | PostgreSQL | MySQL |
|---|---|---|
| SQL standard compliance | Strict, many advanced features | Good, historically more permissive |
| Data types | Arrays, jsonb, ranges, UUID, enums, custom types | Standard set, JSON, enums |
| JSON | jsonb with GIN indexes and rich operators | JSON type, indexing via generated columns and multi-valued indexes |
| Extensions | PostGIS, full-text search, vectors and more | Fewer, limited extensibility |
| Transactional schema changes | Yes, ALTER TABLE can be rolled back | No, DDL commits immediately |
| Replication | Physical streaming and logical | Built-in binlog replication, group replication |
| License | PostgreSQL License (free, permissive) | GPL for Community Edition, plus a commercial edition from Oracle |
Data types and JSON
Data types are a common reason to pick PostgreSQL. You can keep an array of tags in one field, a booking date range with overlap checks, or arbitrary product attributes in jsonb — and still query them through an index.
MySQL handles JSON too: it stores documents, extracts fields with functions and indexes specific keys through generated columns. That is enough for simple cases, but for heavy work with semi-structured data PostgreSQL is more convenient.
Performance
There is no universal winner — it depends on workload, schema, indexes and configuration.
- MySQL with the InnoDB engine handles large volumes of simple key-based reads and writes well — the typical website profile.
- PostgreSQL is stronger on complex queries: many JOINs, subqueries, window functions, analytics. Its planner and index types (B-tree, GIN, GiST, BRIN) give you more tools.
In practice, proper indexes and data design make far more difference than the choice between these two.
Hosting and ecosystem
- Hosting. MySQL (or compatible MariaDB) is available on almost every shared hosting plan with a control panel. PostgreSQL is less common on cheap shared hosting, but installs in minutes on a VPS, and every major cloud offers both as a managed service.
- CMSs and frameworks. WordPress and many PHP CMSs are built for MySQL. Django, Ruby on Rails, Laravel and Node.js ORMs work with both, though PostgreSQL is especially popular in the Python and Ruby communities.
- Tooling. Both have mature clients and tools for backups, monitoring and migrations.
Recommendations by project type
| Project type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| WordPress site or blog | MySQL / MariaDB |
| Store on a ready-made PHP platform | Whatever the platform requires, usually MySQL |
| Custom store or marketplace | PostgreSQL |
| CRM, ERP, accounting system | PostgreSQL |
| SaaS with complex logic and reports | PostgreSQL |
| Service with maps, geodata or delivery | PostgreSQL with PostGIS |
| Simple web app, team knows MySQL | MySQL |
| Cheapest possible shared hosting | MySQL |
Common mistakes when choosing
- Relying on old articles: both databases have evolved a lot, and many old weaknesses are fixed.
- Expecting a database switch to fix speed problems that are really missing indexes.
- Using features specific to one DBMS and then being surprised that migrating is hard.
- Forgetting backups and restore testing — that matters more than the engine choice.