Best Open Source SQL (2025)
Ranked picks for open source sql. No "it depends."
🧊Nice Pick
PostgreSQL
The database that actually respects your data, with more features than you'll ever need but you'll love having them anyway.
Full Rankings
#1
Details →PostgreSQL
Nice PickThe database that actually respects your data, with more features than you'll ever need but you'll love having them anyway.
Pros
- +Rock-solid ACID compliance and transactional integrity
- +Rich set of built-in data types including JSON, arrays, and custom types
- +Excellent performance with advanced indexing options like GIN and GiST
- +Strong community support and extensive documentation
Cons
- -Configuration can be complex and overwhelming for beginners
- -Memory usage tends to be higher compared to some other databases
The reliable old workhorse of databases—it's not flashy, but it gets the job done without drama.
Pros
- +Widely supported with extensive documentation and community
- +Excellent performance for read-heavy workloads
- +Easy to set up and manage with tools like phpMyAdmin
Cons
- -Lacks some advanced features found in PostgreSQL
- -Can struggle with complex queries and high concurrency
Compare:vs PostgreSQL
The database that lives in your pocket. Zero servers, zero excuses.
Pros
- +Zero-configuration setup - just drop a file and go
- +Serverless architecture eliminates deployment headaches
- +ACID compliance ensures data integrity without the bloat
- +Widely supported across platforms and languages
Cons
- -Not built for high-concurrency write-heavy workloads
- -Limited scalability compared to client-server databases
Head-to-head comparisons
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