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PostgreSQL
What it is
PostgreSQL is a free, open-source object-relational database system that uses and extends SQL to store and scale complex data workloads. It supports primitive, structured, document, geometric, and custom data types, including JSON/JSONB, XML, arrays, ranges, and UUIDs. Integrity tools include keys, constraints, locks, transactions, savepoints, and SQL-standard transaction isolation levels. For performance, it offers multiple index types, query planning and optimization, parallel query processing, partitioning, just-in-time expression compilation, and asynchronous I/O. Recovery and replication options include write-ahead logging, synchronous, asynchronous, and logical replication, point-in-time recovery, and active standbys. Security features include multiple authentication methods, access controls, row- and column-level security, and multi-factor authentication. Extensions, procedural languages, and foreign data wrappers can add functionality or connect to other databases and streams. PostgreSQL is self-hosted; no managed service is listed. The PostgreSQL License permits use, copying, modification, and distribution without a fee, subject to its conditions. The project advises using the latest minor version; PostgreSQL 14 is scheduled to stop receiving fixes on November 12, 2026.
For and against
For
- Free license permits use, copying, modification, and distribution.
- Supports JSON/JSONB, XML, arrays, ranges, and UUIDs.
- Offers replication, point-in-time recovery, and active standbys.
- Includes row- and column-level security and multi-factor authentication.
Against
- No managed service is listed.
- PostgreSQL 14 is scheduled to stop receiving fixes on November 12, 2026.
The verdict
PostgreSQL combines broad data-type support with transaction, recovery, and security features, and it is free to use under its license conditions. Plan for self-hosting and follow the project’s advice to use the latest minor version.
Who it suits
PostgreSQL is suited to developers building applications and administrators focused on data integrity and fault-tolerant environments. It requires a self-hosted deployment rather than a listed managed service.
Plans and prices
PostgreSQL
Free and open source · Use, copy, modify, and distribute without fee
Read 29 Sep 2026 · postgresql.org
On the record
- Data types
- It supports primitive, structured, document, geometric, and custom data types, including JSON/JSONB, XML, arrays, ranges, and UUIDs.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Extensions and integrations
- PostgreSQL supports extensions such as PostGIS, procedural languages, and foreign data wrappers that connect to other databases or streams through SQL.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Integrity and transactions
- Features include primary and foreign keys, constraints, explicit and advisory locks, transactions, savepoints, and all SQL-standard transaction isolation levels.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- License
- The PostgreSQL License permits use, copying, modification, and distribution for any purpose without a fee or written agreement, subject to its conditions.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Performance
- PostgreSQL includes multiple index types, a query planner and optimizer, parallel query processing, table partitioning, just-in-time expression compilation, and asynchronous I/O.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Recovery and replication
- It supports write-ahead logging, asynchronous, synchronous, and logical replication, point-in-time recovery, and active standbys.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Release lifecycle
- PostgreSQL 14 is scheduled to stop receiving fixes on November 12, 2026, according to the project homepage.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Security
- Listed security features include GSSAPI, LDAP, SCRAM-SHA-256, certificate and OAuth 2.0 authentication, access controls, row- and column-level security, and multi-factor authentication.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Security process
- The project says it releases security fixes in minor-version updates and advises users to use the latest available minor version.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Security reporting
- The PostgreSQL Project is a CVE Numbering Authority and accepts vulnerability reports at [email protected]; it does not offer bug bounties.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Support
- Community support options include documentation, community resources, mailing lists, and IRC, while commercial support and PostgreSQL-specific hosting are available from listed providers.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- What it does
- PostgreSQL is an open source object-relational database system that uses and extends SQL to store and scale complex data workloads.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Who it is for
- The project describes features for developers building applications and administrators protecting data integrity and building fault-tolerant environments.postgresql.org · read 29 Sep 2026
