MariaDB vs PostgreSQL

by Gralio Feb 27, 2025

MariaDB and PostgreSQL are both open-source database solutions suitable for various business needs. MariaDB prioritizes cost-effectiveness and ease of migration from MySQL. PostgreSQL emphasizes data integrity, advanced features, and robust performance for complex applications.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 1283 reviews and 60 websites, saving 7 hours, 37 minutes of reading.

MariaDB

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PostgreSQL

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About

MariaDB is a popular, free alternative to traditional database software. Developed by the creators of MySQL, it's known for its strong performance, reliability, and open-source nature. MariaDB is highly adaptable, working well for both transaction-heavy tasks (like processing orders) and analyzing large datasets. It's commonly used by companies of all sizes and is a key part of many cloud computing services. Notably, MariaDB offers similar features as more expensive database products but without the high cost.

PostgreSQL is a reliable, open-source database system businesses use to store and manage their data. Known for its reliability and performance, it's suitable for a wide range of needs, from single computers to large-scale data storage for multiple users. PostgreSQL is free to use and is backed by a large community of developers.

Summary

Main difference

MariaDB is a strong choice for businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness and compatibility with MySQL, often serving as a direct replacement. PostgreSQL excels in handling complex data structures and ensuring data integrity, making it ideal for applications requiring high reliability and advanced data management features.

Relative strengths of MariaDB (compared to PostgreSQL)

Strong compatibility with MySQL, often allowing for easy migration.
Generally perceived as more cost-effective, especially for smaller deployments.
Wider availability on Windows environments, beneficial for specific setups.

Relative weaknesses of MariaDB (compared to PostgreSQL)

Can face performance challenges with large and complex datasets compared to PostgreSQL.
Less mature object-relational features than PostgreSQL, limiting flexibility in data modeling.
Smaller community and potentially less readily available expert support compared to PostgreSQL.

What companies are using MariaDB and PostgreSQL?

Google

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Who should use MariaDB VS. PostgreSQL

MariaDB is a powerful open-source database solution known for its performance and reliability. Developed by the creators of MySQL, it offers a cost-effective alternative with similar features. Users praise its stability and ease of integration, while some note occasional performance issues with large infrastructures and limited cloud support. It's ideal for businesses of all sizes, especially those in the software and IT sectors.

PostgreSQL is a robust, open-source database solution ideal for businesses of all sizes seeking reliable and efficient data management. Users praise its ease of installation and configuration, efficient handling of large datasets, and fast querying time. However, some users find the initial setup challenging and note higher CPU usage compared to other RDBMS. PostgreSQL excels in software, IT, and telecommunications, offering a cost-effective and scalable solution backed by a strong community.

Ideal for small to large businesses seeking a robust, open-source database solution.
Strong fit for software, IT, and telecommunications companies.

Excellent fit for small businesses, medium businesses, and large enterprises.
An ideal solution for businesses in software, IT, telecommunications, and other data-driven sectors.

MariaDB and PostgreSQL features

Supported

Partially supported

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Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Object-relational database

Partially supported

MariaDB supports object-relational mapping through tools like Hibernate.

Supported

PostgreSQL is an object-relational database management system (ORDBMS).
System reliability

Supported

MariaDB ensures data integrity and system stability through ACID compliance and robust storage engines.

Supported

PostgreSQL ensures data integrity and system stability through ACID compliance, WAL, and other mechanisms.
High performance

Supported

MariaDB handles large datasets and complex queries efficiently, ensuring quick response times.

Supported

PostgreSQL efficiently handles large datasets and complex queries, ensuring quick response times.
SQL support

Supported

MariaDB supports SQL for querying data.

Supported

PostgreSQL, as offered via EDB on AWS Marketplace, fully supports SQL querying.
PL/SQL support

Not supported

MariaDB supports PL/SQL for its own operations, not for querying Oracle databases.

Not supported

PostgreSQL does not support PL/SQL for querying Oracle databases. It uses its own procedural language, PL/pgSQL.
Cloud-based deployment

Supported

MariaDB can be deployed in the cloud via platforms like Amazon RDS and Azure.

Supported

PostgreSQL can be deployed in cloud environments using services like AWS RDS, Google Cloud SQL, and pgEdge Cloud.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

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Customer Service

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Ease of Use

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Reliability and Performance

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Ease of Implementation

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Scalability

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MariaDB and PostgreSQL Pricing

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We couldn't find a pricing page for MariaDB.

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We couldn't find a pricing page for PostgreSQL.

MariaDB and PostgreSQL review insights

Users love

Feature-rich, including features unavailable in the free version of MySQL.
Often a drop-in replacement for MySQL.
Stable performance, suitable for production environments.
Cost-effective, especially for startups and mid-sized businesses.
Easy integration with various frameworks.

Open-source database
Easy to install and configure
Handles large datasets efficiently
Fast querying time
Strong community support

Users dislike

Performance issues can arise with large infrastructures.
Setup and security processes can sometimes be unclear.
Limited cloud provider support.
Occasional incompatibility with third-party tools.
Limited storage capacity.

Consumes somewhat higher CPU usage so that efficiency is a bit low
Initial setup is not straightforward.
Limited GUI tools.
PostgreSQL may have slower performance than other RDBMS like SQL Server and MySQL.

MariaDB and PostgreSQL Ratings

Glassdoor

3.8/5

(56)

Company health

Employee growth

6% decrease in the last year

1% increase in the last year

Web traffic

10% decrease in the last quarter

2% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

July 2023 - $272M

No data

How does MariaDB's "drop-in MySQL replacement" affect PostgreSQL migration?

MariaDB's drop-in MySQL replacement capability doesn't directly affect PostgreSQL migration. It simplifies migrating *from* MySQL *to* MariaDB, not to PostgreSQL. Migrating to PostgreSQL still requires separate tools and processes due to differences in SQL dialects, data types, and functionalities between PostgreSQL and MySQL/MariaDB.

Which database, MariaDB or PostgreSQL, has easier setup for cloud deployments?

MariaDB is generally considered easier to set up for cloud deployments due to its wider support from major cloud providers like AWS and Azure through managed services like RDS. While PostgreSQL can be deployed on these platforms, it often requires more manual configuration. MariaDB's frequent compatibility with MySQL also simplifies migrations and integrations in cloud environments.

What are the advantages of MariaDB?

MariaDB offers a cost-effective, feature-rich alternative to MySQL, often serving as a drop-in replacement with enhanced functionalities. It boasts stable performance suitable for production environments and integrates easily with various frameworks. Specifically, MariaDB includes features not available in the free version of MySQL, making it a compelling choice for those seeking open-source database solutions without feature limitations.

What are the disadvantages of MariaDB?

MariaDB users have reported performance issues with larger infrastructures, occasional incompatibility with third-party tools, and limited cloud provider support. Setup and security processes can sometimes be unclear, and some users have noted limited storage capacity.

Alternatives to MariaDB and PostgreSQL

MySQL

MySQL is the world's most popular open-source relational database. It's a reliable and robust system used by companies of all sizes to store and manage data. MySQL offers a range of solutions from free downloads to enterprise-level packages with advanced features and support. Known for its flexibility and performance, MySQL is a popular choice for web applications, data analysis, and more.

Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a database management system for businesses of all sizes. It helps you analyze various types of data and can be used in multiple environments, including on your servers and in the cloud. SQL Server offers high performance and strong security features. It allows developers to build applications using different programming languages and provides mobile business intelligence tools.

MongoDB

MongoDB is a flexible database management software designed for modern businesses. Unlike traditional systems that rely on rigid tables, MongoDB stores data as documents, similar to how we organize information in files. This makes it easier for developers to build applications and adapt to changing needs. MongoDB excels at handling large volumes of diverse data, making it suitable for various tasks like real-time analytics and managing online catalogs.

MongoDB

MongoDB is a popular database that stores information in flexible documents instead of rigid tables. This makes it easy for developers to work with and allows for changes as your needs evolve. It's designed for modern applications and scales easily to handle large amounts of data. MongoDB is used by companies of all sizes and industries, particularly for managing customer data, online content, and real-time analytics.

SQLite

SQLite is a self-contained database system that requires no setup or server management. SQLite Cloud builds upon this by offering a way to synchronize and scale your SQLite databases across multiple devices and servers. This allows you to build applications that work reliably even when offline, while still being able to handle large amounts of data and users.

Redis

Redis is a versatile tool that acts like a super-fast digital storage system for your company's data. It's particularly good at quickly accessing and delivering information, making websites and apps much faster. While it can function like a database, Redis is best suited for improving the speed and responsiveness of your existing applications, particularly those handling large amounts of data. This translates to happier users who don't have to wait for things to load.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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