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# MariaDB vs PostgreSQL Comparison - What are their main differences?

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MariaDBPostgreSQL[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**MariaDB** [

4.4/5(226)

](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/reviews#reviews)

**PostgreSQL** [

4.4/5(683)

](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**MariaDB**
Free Trial

No pricing available

**PostgreSQL**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**MariaDB**
2 months

Based on 5 responses

**PostgreSQL**
2 months

Based on 73 responses

Return on Investment

**MariaDB**
13 months

Based on 32 responses

**PostgreSQL**
8 months5 months sooner

Based on 47 responses

Perceived Cost

**MariaDB**
$$$$$

**PostgreSQL**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**MariaDB**
12%1% more

**PostgreSQL**
11%

Pros & Cons

**MariaDB**
[
Ease of Use (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1695307&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Easy Integrations (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1695340&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Beginner Unfriendliness (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2292152&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Connectivity Issues (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2077327&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**PostgreSQL**
[
Features (16)
](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1373123&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Ease of Use (13)
](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1373593&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Beginner Unfriendliness (7)
](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1374094&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Complexity (6)
](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1373765&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

Integrations

**MariaDB**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_da633d2d1c1fd43e5e3cc46236965f55/elastic-elasticsearch.png "Product Avatar Image")

Elasticsearch

](https://www.g2.com/products/elastic-elasticsearch/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_6c0bceb4bba558e94f5d215881182f3a/redis-software.png "Product Avatar Image")

Redis Software

](https://www.g2.com/products/redis-software/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/integrations)

**PostgreSQL**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_4c82924bf37fb0c0c2cf8d7f5cc68986/angular-dev-angular.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Angular

](https://www.g2.com/products/angular-dev-angular/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_d99c715051d74e27de9fd48624b6561e/apache-tomcat.png "Product Avatar Image")

Tomcat

](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-tomcat/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_bde6cd3bdabd1f16c41327bd71f4dee5/cpanel.png "Product Avatar Image")

cPanel

](https://www.g2.com/products/cpanel/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_a6c205d533dba77b318af96d91beb2ac/databricks.jpeg "Product Avatar Image")

Databricks

](https://www.g2.com/products/databricks/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/integrations)

Screenshots

**MariaDB**
 ![MariaDB screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/121371/Screen-Shot-2019-11-13-at-10.10.31-AM.png)

**PostgreSQL**
 ![PostgreSQL screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/20331/uploads_2Fab7b5997-a58a-4539-8306-c978c4e82158_2FPostgreSQL-9-0-3_3.png)

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**MariaDB**

8.9

8.9183

**PostgreSQL**

9.1

9.1559

Ease of Use

**MariaDB**

8.9

8.9185

**PostgreSQL**

8.5

8.5565

Ease of Setup

**MariaDB**

8.7

8.7115

**PostgreSQL**

8.4

8.4294

Ease of Admin

**MariaDB**

8.4

8.4110

**PostgreSQL**

8.2

8.2251

Quality of Support

**MariaDB**

7.9

7.9142

**PostgreSQL**

7.9

7.9452

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**MariaDB**

8.1

8.188

**PostgreSQL**

8.5

8.5199

Product Direction (% positive)

**MariaDB**

8.9

8.9176

**PostgreSQL**

8.5

8.5544

Features

Relational Databases[Hide 24 FeaturesShow 24 Features](javascript:void(0);)

8.7

175

8.9

522

Management 

Data Schema

9.2(won by 0.1)

28

9.1

129

Query Language

9.2(tied score)

29

9.2(tied score)

125

ACID - Complaint

8.5

25

9.2(won by 0.7)

115

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

Data Replication

8.5

23

8.9(won by 0.4)

115

Support 

Text Search

8.6

26

8.7(won by 0.1)

117

Data Types

8.9

28

9.1(won by 0.2)

135

Languages

8.5

23

9.1(won by 0.6)

114

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

Operating Systems

8.9

22

9.1(won by 0.2)

119

Security

Database Locking

8.7(tied score)

27

8.7(tied score)

120

Access Control

8.8

28

9.0(won by 0.2)

122

Encryption

8.8(won by 0.1)

22

8.7

113

Authentication

8.7

23

8.9(won by 0.2)

115

Performance 

Disaster Recovery

8.3

21

8.6(won by 0.3)

110

Data Concurrency

8.6

22

8.8(won by 0.2)

120

Workload Management

8.4

24

8.7(won by 0.3)

112

Advanced Indexing

8.4

20

8.7(won by 0.3)

121

Query Optimizer

8.5

27

8.6(won by 0.1)

117

Database Features

Storage

9.0(tied score)

153

9.0(tied score)

468

Availability

9.1(won by 0.1)

156

9.0

473

Stability

9.2(won by 0.2)

156

9.0

481

Scalability

8.6(tied score)

148

8.6(tied score)

464

Security

8.6

150

8.7(won by 0.1)

447

Data Manipulation

8.7

150

8.8(won by 0.1)

463

Query Language

9.0(tied score)

154

9.0(tied score)

471

Columnar Databases[Hide 12 FeaturesShow 12 Features](javascript:void(0);)

9.0

10

Not enough data

Storage

Data Model

8.8(won by default)

8

Not enough data

Data Types

8.9(won by default)

9

Not enough data

Availability

Auto Sharding

9.0(won by default)

5

Not enough data

Auto Recovery

8.8(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Data Replication

8.6(won by default)

6

Not enough data

Performance

Integrated Cache

9.0(won by default)

8

Not enough data

Security

Role-Based Authorization

9.4(won by default)

8

Not enough data

Authentication

9.5(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Audit Logs

8.6(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Encryption

9.2(won by default)

6

Not enough data

Support

Multi-Model

9.7(won by default)

5

Not enough data

Operating Systems

8.8(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Show 1 feature category with incomplete data

AWS Marketplace[Hide 3 FeaturesShow 3 Features](javascript:void(0);)

Not enough data

Not enough data

Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace

Autonomous Task Execution

Not enough data

Not enough data

Multi-step Planning

Not enough data

Not enough data

Cross-system Integration

Not enough data

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![MariaDB](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1546027546/mariadb.svg "MariaDB")](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/reviews)

MariaDB

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

41.3%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

31.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

27.1%

[![PostgreSQL](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_251be2af3ae607c45c14e816eaa1cf41/postgresql.png "PostgreSQL")](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews)

PostgreSQL

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

36.1%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

34.3%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

29.6%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

41.3%

36.1%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

31.7%

34.3%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

27.1%

29.6%

Reviewers' Industry

[![MariaDB](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1546027546/mariadb.svg "MariaDB")](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/reviews)
MariaDB

Information Technology and Services

26.1%

Computer Software

20.2%

Internet

5.0%

Telecommunications

5.0%

Computer & Network Security

3.7%

Other

39.9%

[![PostgreSQL](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_251be2af3ae607c45c14e816eaa1cf41/postgresql.png "PostgreSQL")](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews)
PostgreSQL

Information Technology and Services

27.3%

Computer Software

23.0%

Financial Services

4.2%

Internet

4.2%

Telecommunications

2.8%

Other

38.5%

FAQs

## MariaDB vs PostgreSQL FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between PostgreSQL vs MariaDB?

PostgreSQL and MariaDB are both highly rated open-source relational databases, but PostgreSQL is most frequently cited for its advanced features and reliability, while MariaDB is noted for ease of use and integration.

| [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) | [MariaDB](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.4/5 (684 reviews) | 4.4/5 (226 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 8.4 | 8.7 |
| 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Features (16 all-time mentions) | Ease of Use (2 all-time mentions) |

### How do the pricing models of PostgreSQL and MariaDB compare?

MariaDB is rated higher for price and cost satisfaction, making it the stronger value according to reviewers.

- **PostgreSQL:** Reviewers highlight that PostgreSQL is open source and does not require licensing fees, which lowers total cost for businesses.
- **MariaDB:** MariaDB is praised for being open source, free to use, and cost-efficient, with reviewers noting it saves on licensing and operational expenses.
- **Switching Reason:** Several reviewers mention switching to MariaDB from MySQL or proprietary databases to avoid licensing costs and gain additional features without extra expense.

### What are the best alternatives to PostgreSQL and MariaDB?

The top three alternatives to PostgreSQL and MariaDB are MS SQL, MySQL, and Oracle Database.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) | 4.4/5 (684 reviews) | Small-Business | Open source, no licensing fees | Features (16 all-time mentions) |
| [MariaDB](https://www.g2.com/products/mariadb/reviews) | 4.4/5 (226 reviews) | Small-Business | Free, open source, cost-efficient | Ease of Use (2 all-time mentions) |
| [MS SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-sql-server/reviews) | 4.4/5 (2287 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise-grade reliability |
| [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) | 4.4/5 (1682 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Widespread compatibility |
| [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) | 4.3/5 (1020 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Scalability and performance |

### Which Relational Databases features should I prioritize when comparing PostgreSQL and MariaDB?

Buyers comparing PostgreSQL and MariaDB should prioritize features, ease of use, scalability, data security, and integration capabilities.

- **Features:** PostgreSQL is cited for features in 16 all-time reviews; MariaDB has 1 all-time mention for feature limitations.
- **Ease of Use:** PostgreSQL: 13 all-time mentions; MariaDB: 2 all-time mentions.
- **Scalability:** PostgreSQL: 10 all-time mentions; MariaDB: 1 recent mention for handling large datasets.
- **Data Security:** PostgreSQL: 4 all-time mentions; MariaDB: 1 all-time mention.
- **Integrations:** PostgreSQL: 6 all-time mentions for easy integrations; MariaDB: 2 all-time mentions.

### What are the pros and cons of PostgreSQL vs MariaDB?

PostgreSQL's headline strength is its advanced features and reliability, while MariaDB stands out for ease of use and integration.

- **PostgreSQL strengths:** Features (16 all-time mentions), reliability (10), scalability (10), flexibility (8), data analytics (6), easy integrations (6), performance (6), open source (10).
- **PostgreSQL trade-offs:** Beginner unfriendliness (7), complexity (6), learning curve (5), slow performance for some workloads (5), complex configuration (4), high hardware requirements (4).
- **MariaDB strengths:** Ease of use (2 all-time mentions), easy integrations (2), backup services (1), cost efficiency (1), data security (1), fast querying (1), free services (1), large datasets (1).
- **MariaDB trade-offs:** Beginner unfriendliness (1), connectivity issues (1), difficult learning (1), error handling (1), feature limitations (1), not user-friendly (1).

### Is PostgreSQL or MariaDB better for small businesses?

Both PostgreSQL and MariaDB are primarily used by small businesses, but MariaDB receives slightly higher Ease of Use and Ease of Setup scores, making it the more favorable fit for small-business needs.

- **PostgreSQL:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers highlight its reliability and advanced features, but note a steeper learning curve for beginners.
- **MariaDB:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently praise its ease of use, straightforward integration, and cost efficiency for small business applications.

### Which Relational Databases platform has better integrations?

PostgreSQL is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions and a broader ecosystem.

- **PostgreSQL:** Integrates with Python (27 all-time mentions), Tableau (4), and Ruby on Rails (3); reviewers highlight its compatibility with BI tools, ETL pipelines, and cloud platforms.
- **MariaDB:** Reviewers mention easy integration with various platforms and frameworks, but no specific third-party tool exceeds the publish floor for all-time mentions.

### How do PostgreSQL and MariaDB compare on customer support?

PostgreSQL and MariaDB are rated equally on Quality of Support, both scoring 7.9, indicating parity in reviewer satisfaction.

- **PostgreSQL:** Reviewers describe support as reliable, with several noting strong community resources and documentation, though some mention limited official vendor support unless using managed services.
- **MariaDB:** Reviewers cite good community support and available documentation, with some requests for improved official support and more user-friendly resources.

### Which is easier to implement, PostgreSQL or MariaDB?

MariaDB scores higher on Ease of Setup (8.7 vs 8.4), but the difference is below the materiality threshold, indicating near parity in implementation experience.

- **PostgreSQL:** Reviewers note that setup is straightforward for standard use cases, but advanced configuration and tuning can be complex for new users.
- **MariaDB:** Reviewers highlight easy installation and integration, with many describing the setup process as quick and user-friendly, especially for small to medium projects.

### Which product has better Storage?

PostgreSQL is more frequently cited for its storage capabilities, with reviewers highlighting advanced storage features and flexibility.

- **PostgreSQL:** Storage is a recurring theme in reviews, with multiple mentions of advanced storage options, support for large datasets, and extensibility for hybrid workloads.
- **MariaDB:** Reviewers mention reliable data storage and efficient handling of large datasets, but storage is less frequently cited as a standout feature compared to PostgreSQL.

Alternatives

**MariaDB Alternatives**

 ![Microsoft SQL Server](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8a99a96fda235658139f710592f8a53/microsoft-sql-server.svg "Microsoft SQL Server")

[
MS SQL
](/products/microsoft-sql-server/reviews)

 ![MySQL](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_240340edca859994ec71e4490aa20022/mysql.png "MySQL")

[
MySQL
](/products/mysql/reviews)

 ![Oracle Database](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_82f55e945509bff7b8009e8024cfe73c/oracle-database.jpg "Oracle Database")

[
Oracle Database
](/products/oracle-database/reviews)

 ![Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1533130188/amazon-relational-database-service-rds.svg "Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)")

[
Amazon Relational Database...
](/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews)

**PostgreSQL Alternatives**

 ![Microsoft SQL Server](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8a99a96fda235658139f710592f8a53/microsoft-sql-server.svg "Microsoft SQL Server")

[
MS SQL
](/products/microsoft-sql-server/reviews)

 ![MySQL](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_240340edca859994ec71e4490aa20022/mysql.png "MySQL")

[
MySQL
](/products/mysql/reviews)

 ![Oracle Database](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_82f55e945509bff7b8009e8024cfe73c/oracle-database.jpg "Oracle Database")

[
Oracle Database
](/products/oracle-database/reviews)

 ![Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1533130188/amazon-relational-database-service-rds.svg "Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)")

[
Amazon Relational Database...
](/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews)