Software · head to head
CouchDB vs PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL
Software
The world's most advanced open source relational database
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CouchDB append-only storage model may have performance implications for certain workloads with high update rates; PostgreSQL requires manual scaling across multiple machines for very large deployments
- They diverge on capability: CouchDB covers Multi-master Replication, PostgreSQL covers ACID Compliance.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CouchDB and PostgreSQL actually diverge.
| Attribute | CouchDB | PostgreSQL |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | Unknown |
| Platforms | Docker, Windows (x64), macOS, Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS), Raspberry Pi | Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD, Unix |
| Founded | 1999 | 1996 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in CouchDB
- Multi-master Replication
- HTTP/JSON API
- MapReduce Views
- ACID Semantics
- Offline-first
- Conflict Resolution
- Fauxton UI
- PouchDB
Only in PostgreSQL
- ACID Compliance
- JSON/JSONB Support
- Full-text Search
- Extensibility
- Advanced Indexing
- Partitioning
- Replication
- pgAdmin
Both cover
- Linux support
- Windows support
- Mac support
- Docker support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CouchDB
- Offline-first applications requiring seamless replication across mobile and server environmentsnot PostgreSQL
- Multi-master deployments where data consistency eventually resolves across regionsnot PostgreSQL
- IoT and edge computing scenarios with intermittent connectivitynot PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL
- Transaction processingnot CouchDB
- Data storagenot CouchDB
- Application backendnot CouchDB
- Reportingnot CouchDB
- Data analyticsnot CouchDB
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CouchDB
- Append-only storage model may have performance implications for certain workloads with high update rates
- Requires network synchronisation for cluster data consistency; can introduce latency in multi-master scenarios
- No explicit support for complex joins; MapReduce queries may be inefficient compared to relational databases
PostgreSQL
- Requires manual scaling across multiple machines for very large deployments
- Performance tuning requires deep knowledge of database internals
- No built-in graphical admin interface; command-line tools are primary method
Pricing, plan by plan
CouchDB
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the CouchDB review.
PostgreSQL
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the PostgreSQL review.
Which should you pick?
Choose CouchDB if
- You need multi-master replication.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Docker, Windows (x64), macOS, Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS), Raspberry Pi.
- You also want http/json api.
Choose PostgreSQL if
- You need acid compliance.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD, Unix.
- You also want json/jsonb support.
Questions people ask
- Is CouchDB or PostgreSQL better?
- Neither clearly leads. CouchDB starts at Free and PostgreSQL at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CouchDB or PostgreSQL?
- CouchDB starts at Free and PostgreSQL at Free.
- Does CouchDB or PostgreSQL run on more platforms?
- CouchDB runs on Docker, Windows (x64), macOS, Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS), Raspberry Pi. PostgreSQL runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD, Unix.
- Can I use CouchDB for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is CouchDB best used for?
- CouchDB is most often used for offline-first applications requiring seamless replication across mobile and server environments, multi-master deployments where data consistency eventually resolves across regions, iot and edge computing scenarios with intermittent connectivity. Of those, offline-first applications requiring seamless replication across mobile and server environments and multi-master deployments where data consistency eventually resolves across regions are not what PostgreSQL is typically brought in for.
- What can CouchDB do that PostgreSQL cannot?
- CouchDB covers Multi-master Replication, HTTP/JSON API, MapReduce Views, ACID Semantics. PostgreSQL covers ACID Compliance, JSON/JSONB Support, Full-text Search, Extensibility. Both handle Linux support, Windows support, Mac support, Docker support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
PostgreSQL: Is PostgreSQL completely free?
Yes. PostgreSQL is completely free and open source with no licensing fees or restrictions on use.
SourcePostgreSQL: What platforms does PostgreSQL run on?
PostgreSQL runs on all major operating systems including Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD, and commercial Unix variants, and has been proven highly scalable managing terabytes to petabytes of data.
SourcePostgreSQL: What procedural languages are supported?
PostgreSQL supports stored functions and procedures in multiple languages including PL/pgSQL, Perl, Python, Tcl, Java, JavaScript, R, and Rust.
SourcePostgreSQL: What is ACID compliance in PostgreSQL?
PostgreSQL has been ACID-compliant since 2001, ensuring data integrity through atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability guarantees for all transactions.
SourcePostgreSQL: Does PostgreSQL support JSON data?
Yes. PostgreSQL supports JSON and JSONB data types for storing and querying JSON documents, along with XML and other document formats.
Source