How to choose a relational database without a future migration?
Choose by operating model: cloud-flagship managed Postgres for ecosystem alignment, dev-first serverless Postgres for workflow, or distributed SQL when resilience and scale demand it.
Related Categories
If you're evaluating Relational Databases, you may also need:
Relational DB decision finder
Choose the operating model first. Then evaluate 2–3 candidates deeply (cost cliffs, limits, and what breaks first).
What are you optimizing for first?
If you’re cloud-managed, what’s your cloud gravity?
What’s your risk tolerance for constraints?
Pick answers to see a recommended starting path
This is a decision brief site: we optimize for operating model + cost/limits + what breaks first (not feature checklists).
Pre-built recommendation paths
Each path narrows the field based on a specific constraint pattern — click to see which products fit and why.
Build your shortlist
Narrow your database shortlist by cloud alignment, scaling needs, and operational model.
Freshness
2026-02-09 — SEO metadata quality pass
Refined SEO titles and meta descriptions for search quality. Fixed copy-paste overlap in choose_a_if/choose_b_if comparison bullets. Added product overview signal bullets.
2026-02-06 — Added decision finder and freshness block
Introduced a decision finder (operating model first) and a visible freshness section to reduce stale decision guidance.
2026-01-13 — Updated category overview positioning
Refined the category verdict toward operating model + ownership + scaling path rather than SQL feature checklists.
Top picks in Relational Databases
These are commonly short‑listed options based on constraints, pricing behavior, and operational fit — not review scores.
Amazon Aurora (Postgres)
AWS flagship Postgres-compatible managed relational database, typically evaluated when teams want a managed Postgres core aligned to AWS infrastructure patterns…
Google AlloyDB for PostgreSQL
GCP flagship Postgres-compatible managed relational database, typically evaluated by teams building on Google Cloud who want a managed Postgres core.
Azure Database for PostgreSQL
Azure’s default managed Postgres offering, commonly chosen by Azure-first organizations that want a managed relational core aligned to Microsoft ecosystem tooli…
Neon
Serverless Postgres optimized for modern developer workflows like branching and ephemeral environments, evaluated when dev workflow is the bottleneck.
Supabase Database
Managed Postgres as part of Supabase’s developer platform, evaluated when teams want a relational core plus integrated tooling and speed-to-ship.
CockroachDB Cloud
Managed distributed SQL database with Postgres-compatible interfaces, evaluated when teams need resilience and scaling patterns beyond a single-region Postgres …
PlanetScale
Serverless MySQL platform (Vitess-based) evaluated when teams want MySQL compatibility plus modern workflows and horizontal scaling patterns.
TiDB Cloud
MySQL-compatible distributed SQL database with HTAP capabilities, evaluated when teams need MySQL compatibility at scale, real-time analytics on transactional d…
Pricing and availability may change. Verify details on the official website.
Popular head-to-head comparisons
Use these when you already have two candidates and want the constraints and cost mechanics that usually decide fit.
How to choose the right Relational Databases platform
Operational model and ownership
Managed databases reduce some ownership but still require schema/migration governance and performance discipline. Serverless/dev-first databases optimize workflow but can impose constraints. Distributed SQL increases complexity to unlock resilience and scale patterns.
Questions to ask:
- Is your bottleneck developer workflow or production governance and reliability?
- Do you need single-region Postgres, or distributed SQL resilience patterns?
- Who owns migrations, performance, and database governance long-term?
Ecosystem alignment vs portability
Cloud flagships integrate deeply into their ecosystem, reducing friction but increasing switching cost. Independents can improve portability and workflow, but may shift responsibilities back to your team.
Questions to ask:
- Are you standardizing on AWS/GCP/Azure for identity and networking?
- How much lock-in is acceptable for faster time-to-ship?
- What is your realistic exit/migration plan if needs change?
How we evaluate Relational Databases
Source-Led Facts
We prioritize official pricing pages and vendor documentation over third-party review noise.
Intent Over Pricing
A $0 plan is only a "deal" if it actually solves your problem. We evaluate based on use‑case fitness.
Durable Ranges
Vendor prices change daily. We highlight stable pricing bands to help you plan your long-term budget.