What Is PostgreSQL and Why So Many Teams Rely on It

If you build modern apps, you’ve almost certainly bumped into PostgreSQL already. It quietly powers everything from hobby projects to large‑scale products used by some of the biggest names on the internet.

Here’s a short, practical look at what PostgreSQL is and why so many developers default to it.

What PostgreSQL Actually Is

PostgreSQL is an open‑source relational database with some extra superpowers.

• Stores data in familiar tables, rows, and columns
• Uses SQL for queries
• Adds “object” features like custom data types and table inheritance

It’s fully ACID compliant and uses MVCC so many users can read and write at the same time without stepping on each other. In short: it’s reliable, safe, and built for real‑world workloads.

Why Developers Like Working With PostgreSQL

Open‑Source and Vendor‑Free

PostgreSQL is free, open‑source, and driven by a big global community.

• No license fees or lock‑in
• Regular updates and security fixes
• Tons of extensions, tools, and tutorials

You only pay for the server or cloud resources you run it on.

Modern, Powerful SQL

PostgreSQL goes way beyond basic SELECT/INSERT.

• Window functions for analytics
• CTEs and recursive queries
• Constraints, foreign keys, and triggers for clean, reliable data
• Extras like full‑text search and flexible indexing

That’s why it works well for both everyday CRUD apps and deeper reporting or analytics.

Built for Heavy, Concurrent Workloads

PostgreSQL stays calm under pressure:

• MVCC lets many users read and write at once
• Smart query planning and multiple index types
• Partitioning and replication when you start to scale

You can start with a small project and grow into something serious without changing databases.

Handles Structured and Semi‑Structured Data

PostgreSQL is happy with both strict schemas and flexible fields:

• Classic relational tables
• JSON/JSONB, arrays, XML, key‑value pairs
• Geospatial data via PostGIS

That means you don’t have to bolt on a second database just to store documents or location data.

Easy to Extend

People call it the Swiss Army knife of databases for a reason:

• Custom types (currencies, coordinates, versions, etc.)
• Table inheritance
• Stored procedures and functions in multiple languages
• Extensions like PostGIS, pg_trgm, hstore, and more

You can keep things simple at first and add power only when you actually need it.

Where PostgreSQL Really Shines

In practice, PostgreSQL fits naturally in a few common places:

• Web and mobile apps – ecommerce, SaaS, dashboards, anything with users, orders, payments, and sessions
• Fintech and financial systems – strict consistency, auditability, and safe transactions
• Geospatial and logistics – with PostGIS for maps, routes, and “find things near me” features
• Analytics and reporting – complex queries and decent performance on growing datasets
• Large, complex apps – where schemas and business rules evolve over time

How It Compares to Other Databases

Here’s a super short comparison with a few popular options:

• MySQL – great for simple, read‑heavy apps.
  PostgreSQL – better when you need complex queries, heavy writes, or strict data rules.
• MongoDB – perfect if you only care about flexible JSON documents.
  PostgreSQL – ideal if you want both documents and relational data in one place.
• MariaDB – a faster, upgraded MySQL.
  PostgreSQL – makes more sense when MySQL’s overall feature set is holding you back.

PostgreSQL is rarely the absolute best at one tiny, narrow thing, but it’s good at almost everything – which makes it a very safe default when you’re not sure how your app will evolve.

Getting Started and When to Use It

Getting PostgreSQL running is straightforward:

• Install it locally on Linux, macOS, or Windows
• Run it on a VPS or cloud server
• Or spin it up in Docker for consistent dev and test setups

A small PostgreSQL server can run with about 1 GB of RAM and a bit of disk space. From there, you simply scale as your app grows.

You should seriously consider PostgreSQL if:

• You want one database that can handle many different workloads
• You care about data integrity and strong SQL features
• Your project might grow far beyond the MVP phase
• You don’t want to be tied to a vendor or license fees

It won’t always be the absolute best in every niche, but as a flexible, future‑proof default, PostgreSQL is hard to beat. If you’re not sure which database to start with, it’s a very safe and developer‑friendly choice.