SQL Server vs PostgreSQL

The corporate database that loves Windows and hates your budget 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.

SQL Server

Nice Pick

The corporate database that loves Windows and hates your budget.

Pros

• Excellent integration with Microsoft ecosystem (e.g., .NET, Azure)
• Strong security and compliance features out of the box
• Powerful business intelligence tools like SSRS and SSAS

Cons

• Licensing costs can be eye-watering for enterprise use
• Limited cross-platform support (primarily Windows-focused)

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 SQL Server if: You want excellent integration with microsoft ecosystem (e.g., .net, azure) and can live with licensing costs can be eye-watering for enterprise use.

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

The Bottom Line

SQL Server wins

The corporate database that loves Windows and hates your budget.