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MySQL vs Postgres

MySQL logo

MySQL

Web Development

The world's most popular open source database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Postgres logo

Postgres

Technology

The world's most advanced open source database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MySQL hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component; Postgres each major version is supported for only 5 years after its initial release, after which it is end-of-life
  • They diverge on capability: MySQL covers SQL support, Postgres covers Complex queries.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MySQL and Postgres actually diverge.

Attributes where MySQL and Postgres differ
AttributeMySQLPostgres
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, UnixLinux, Windows, Macos, Docker
CategoryWeb DevelopmentTechnology
Founded19951996

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 MySQL

  • SQL support
  • Multi-version concurrency control
  • Replication
  • Partitioning
  • WordPress
  • Drupal
  • phpMyAdmin
  • MySQL Workbench

Only in Postgres

  • Complex queries
  • Foreign keys
  • JSON/JSONB support
  • Full-text search
  • Ruby
  • .NET
  • Go
  • Rust

Both cover

  • ACID compliance
  • Stored procedures
  • Triggers
  • Views
  • PHP
  • Python
  • Java
  • Node.js

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

MySQL

  • Web application backendnot Postgres
  • E-commerce platformsnot Postgres
  • Content management systemsnot Postgres
  • Data warehousingnot Postgres
  • Business applicationsnot Postgres

Postgres

  • Running a general purpose relational database for applicationsnot MySQL
  • Self-hosting an open source SQL database with no licence feenot MySQL
  • Workloads needing extensions, JSON and full text search in one enginenot MySQL

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

MySQL

  • Hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component
  • Transparent Data Encryption, data masking and de-identification are Enterprise Edition only
  • MySQL Enterprise Firewall, which guards against SQL injection, and MySQL Enterprise Audit are both paid components
  • External authentication against PAM or Windows Active Directory requires MySQL Enterprise Authentication
  • The thread pool ships as MySQL Enterprise Scalability rather than in the community build

Postgres

  • Each major version is supported for only 5 years after its initial release, after which it is end-of-life
  • Major version upgrades break on-disk compatibility and require a full dump and reload or the pg_upgrade tool
  • New major versions ship about once a year, so staying supported means a disruptive upgrade cycle
  • Minor releases contain only frequently-encountered bug fixes, low-risk fixes, security issues and data corruption fixes, so feature gaps are not addressed within a major version
  • There is no vendor SLA; commercial support must be bought separately from third party professional services listed by the project

Pricing, plan by plan

MySQL

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Open source license
    • Full SQL support
    • InnoDB storage engine
  • Standard Edition$2000/year
    • Commercial license
    • Oracle Premier Support
    • MySQL Enterprise backup
  • Enterprise Edition$5000/year
    • Advanced security
    • MySQL Enterprise Monitor
    • High Availability

Postgres

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Full database features
    • No limitations
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose MySQL if

  • You need sql support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix.
  • You also want multi-version concurrency control.
MySQL review

Choose Postgres if

  • You need complex queries.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Macos, Docker.
  • You also want foreign keys.
Postgres review

Questions people ask

Is MySQL or Postgres better?
Neither clearly leads. MySQL starts at Free and Postgres at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MySQL or Postgres?
MySQL starts at Free and Postgres at Free.
Does MySQL or Postgres run on more platforms?
MySQL runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix. Postgres runs on Linux, Windows, Macos, Docker.
Can I use MySQL for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is MySQL best used for?
MySQL is most often used for web application backend, e-commerce platforms, content management systems, data warehousing. Of those, web application backend and e-commerce platforms are not what Postgres is typically brought in for.
What can MySQL do that Postgres cannot?
MySQL covers SQL support, Multi-version concurrency control, Replication, Partitioning. Postgres covers Complex queries, Foreign keys, JSON/JSONB support, Full-text search. Both handle ACID compliance, Stored procedures, Triggers, Views.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

MySQL: Does MySQL cost money?

MySQL is primarily open-source and free to use. Commercial editions and support services are available but pricing is not published on the main website.

Source
Postgres: How much does PostgreSQL cost to use?

PostgreSQL is completely free to download, install, and use. No licensing fees, subscription costs, or per-seat charges apply. The database is open source under the PostgreSQL License. Source: https://www.postgresql.org

Source
MySQL: How do I get MySQL pricing information?

For MySQL commercial editions and support pricing, customers can contact MySQL sales directly at +1-866-221-0634 or navigate to individual product pages.

Source
Postgres: Are there commercial PostgreSQL support options available?

Official PostgreSQL (the project) is free. Commercial PostgreSQL services such as hosting, professional support, training, and managed database services are offered by third-party vendors, not the PostgreSQL project itself. Source: https://www.postgresql.org

Source
Postgres: Do I need a license to use PostgreSQL commercially?

No. PostgreSQL is open source under the PostgreSQL License, which permits free commercial use without royalties, licensing fees, or support obligations. Source: https://www.postgresql.org

Source
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