CockroachDB vs PostgreSQL

The cockroach of databases: hard to kill, spreads everywhere, and surprisingly good at SQL meets the database that actually respects your data, with more features than you'll ever need but you'll love having them anyway. Here's our take.

CockroachDB

Nice Pick

The cockroach of databases: hard to kill, spreads everywhere, and surprisingly good at SQL.

Pros

• Strong consistency across distributed nodes without manual sharding
• PostgreSQL wire protocol compatibility for easy migration
• Automatic data replication and rebalancing for high availability

Cons

• Higher latency compared to single-node databases due to distributed overhead
• Complex licensing and pricing can be a headache for scaling

PostgreSQL

The 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 Verdict

Use CockroachDB if: You want strong consistency across distributed nodes without manual sharding and can live with higher latency compared to single-node databases due to distributed overhead.

Use PostgreSQL if: You prioritize rock-solid acid compliance and transactional integrity over what CockroachDB offers.

The Bottom Line

CockroachDB wins

The cockroach of databases: hard to kill, spreads everywhere, and surprisingly good at SQL.