Cloud Managed Databases vs Self-Hosted Databases

Developers should use Cloud Managed Databases when building scalable applications that require high availability, automated backups, and minimal operational overhead, such as web apps, SaaS platforms, or data-intensive services meets developers should consider self-hosted databases when they need strict data sovereignty, such as in industries with heavy regulatory requirements like healthcare or finance, or when they require fine-grained control over performance and security configurations. Here's our take.

Cloud Managed Databases

Nice Pick

Developers should use Cloud Managed Databases when building scalable applications that require high availability, automated backups, and minimal operational overhead, such as web apps, SaaS platforms, or data-intensive services

Pros

• They are ideal for teams lacking dedicated database administrators or those needing rapid deployment and global scalability without managing hardware or software updates
• Related to: cloud-computing, database-administration

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Self-Hosted Databases

Developers should consider self-hosted databases when they need strict data sovereignty, such as in industries with heavy regulatory requirements like healthcare or finance, or when they require fine-grained control over performance and security configurations

Pros

• This approach is also beneficial for organizations with existing on-premises infrastructure investments or those handling sensitive data that cannot be stored in public clouds due to privacy concerns
• Related to: database-administration, sql

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Cloud Managed Databases is a platform while Self-Hosted Databases is a database. We picked Cloud Managed Databases based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Cloud Managed Databases wins

Based on overall popularity. Cloud Managed Databases is more widely used, but Self-Hosted Databases excels in its own space.