Distributed Database vs Monolithic Database

Pick CockroachDB when you need Postgres-wire compatibility plus zero-touch multi-region survivability and can live with source-available licensing (no CockroachDB-as-a-service from a competitor) meets developers should use monolithic databases for simpler applications with straightforward data requirements, where data consistency and acid transactions are critical, such as in financial systems or small-scale enterprise applications. Here's our take.

Distributed Database

Nice Pick

Pick CockroachDB when you need Postgres-wire compatibility plus zero-touch multi-region survivability and can live with source-available licensing (no CockroachDB-as-a-service from a competitor)

Pros

• Pick TiDB instead if your app is already MySQL and you want HTAP without bolting on a separate warehouse
• Related to: postgresql, mysql

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Monolithic Database

Developers should use monolithic databases for simpler applications with straightforward data requirements, where data consistency and ACID transactions are critical, such as in financial systems or small-scale enterprise applications

Pros

• They are also suitable when development teams are small, as they reduce operational complexity compared to distributed systems
• Related to: relational-database, acid-transactions

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Distributed Database if: You want pick tidb instead if your app is already mysql and you want htap without bolting on a separate warehouse and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Monolithic Database if: You prioritize they are also suitable when development teams are small, as they reduce operational complexity compared to distributed systems over what Distributed Database offers.

The Bottom Line

Distributed Database wins

Pick CockroachDB when you need Postgres-wire compatibility plus zero-touch multi-region survivability and can live with source-available licensing (no CockroachDB-as-a-service from a competitor)