In this MariaDB tutorial, we will look at the differences between MariaDB and Postgres and some examples.
MariaDB vs Postgres
Open-source RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) such as PostgreSQL or MariaDB are likely to be at the top of the list when a company is looking for a new RDBMS (Relational Database Management System). Each database has its advantages and disadvantages, making a head-to-head comparison of PostgreSQL vs. MariaDB difficult.
MariaDB is an open-source relational database management system that replaces the popular MySql Database Technology.
PostgreSQL is a high-performance, enterprise-class open source relational database that supports SQL (relational) and JSON (non-relational) querying.
In this sub-topic, we will differentiate between PostgreSQL and MariaDB with the help of examples.
| Features | MariaDB | Postgresql |
| Size | It’s best for databases with fewer records. | It is appropriate for a larger database. |
| Data Typing | It’s a useful data type. | It is a strict data integrity policy. |
| Replication | It’s both adaptable and powerful. | Only Master slaves are allowed. |
| Partitioning | Access to partitioned data is now faster. | It doesn’t support the partition of data. |
| NoSQL and JSON | It’s not completely supported | Appropiate for NoSSQL database. |
Read: MariaDB Vs SQLite – Key Differences
MariaDB vs Postgres Performance
In this section, we will know and take the difference between MariaDB’s performance and Postgres’s.
MariaDB has a smaller memory footprint than PostgreSQL because it is a smaller database. Regarding reads and writes, PostgreSQL exceeds MariaDB, making it more efficient.
MariaDB is better suited for smaller databases and can store data entirely in memory, which PostgreSQL lacks. PostgreSQL outperforms MariaDB’s query cache by retrieving frequently used data from an internal cache and the server’s page cache.
Read: MariaDB Drop Index + Examples
MariaDB vs Postgres which is better
This section will discuss which database programming language is better, MariaDB or PostgreSQL.
Let’s break the WHICH question for MariaDB and PostgreSQL into two parts:
- When to use MariaDB over PostgreSQL:
MariaDB allows for datatype flexibility. However, when adding and updating data with the INSERT INTO and UPDATE statements, it properly converts data into the correct datatype. We can use this, but we must be cautious about the schema the application uses for the data.
It also supports MASTER-MASTER replication, making it excellent for applications that require high availability and low latency.
2. When to use Postgresql over MariaDB:
Additional features in PostgreSQL, such as materialised and partial views, improve efficiency. The materialised view can be employed for expensive joins and fast aggregations.
Indexes are built for every record in a table. They are costly to develop and maintain but allow an index to be created. When there is a lot of data, partial indexes are usually entered or constructed.
If we conclude that MariaDB and PostgreSQL are better, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Ultimately, choose the right database based on the system requirements. Which database can fulfill your needs depends on you only.
Read: MariaDB Vs SQL Server – Detailed Comparison
Read: MariaDB Select Statement
MariaDB vs PostgreSQL Memory Usage
In this subtopic, we will discuss the memory usage of MariaDB and PostgreSQL, which is explained below as a difference.
Another significant difference between MariaDB and PostgreSQL is system size and partitioning. Based on the system, the MariaDB system is smaller than the PostgreSQL system based on the OS versions. The memory allocation is shorter in MariaDB, and the database is lighter than the PostgreSQL database.
If we compare MariaDB and PostgreSQL based on partitioning, then the MariaDB database uses various partitioning techniques, whereas PostgreSQL does not have partitioning.
Read: MariaDB Rename Table
MariaDB vs PostgreSQL Comparison
In this section, let’s discuss the top comparison between MariaDB and PostgreSQL by using the table as given below:
| FACTOR | MariaDB | PostgreSQL |
| Description | The MariaDB is a MySQL application that is an open-source application and has high-performance capability, security, and high availability. | Postgresql is an open-source relational database management system that is used to store data. |
| Initial- Release | The first release was launched in the year 2009 in Delaware, U.S.A. | The first release was launched in the year 1989 at the University of California, Berkeley. |
| Implementation of language | The language used to make the MariaDB is C and C++ programming language. | The language used to make the Postgresql is the C programming language. |
| Server Operating System | The server operating system supported by MariaDB is Solarix, Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD. | The server operating system supported by Postgresql is Solaris, Windows, FreeBSD and Linux, NetBSD, Unix, OpenBSD, and many more. |
| Server-side scripts | In the MariaDB system, they are defined and can be used during data storage. | In the Postgresql system, the user can define the function as per requirements whereas this feature doesn’t support in the MariaDB system. |
| Partitioning Methods | The partition method which is used in the MariaDB system is horizontal partitioning, Galera cluster, and sharding with the spider storage engine. | The partition method which is using the Postgresql system is list, hash, and range. |
| In-memory capabilities | The MariaDB system supports in-memory capabilities and it is also lighter than the PostgreSQL system. | In the PostgreSQL system, it doesn’t support in-memory capabilities. |
| JSON support | It doesn’t support the JSON support but it uses the LONGTEXT column that works similiasimilarN support. | The PostgreSQL supports both JSON and JSONB support. |
| Application | The MariaDB system is used in making databases that support applications, e-commerce sites, and multimedia sites also. | The Postgresql system is used in making large systems and data-related problems like reading and writing operations can be executed in a fast manner. It is mostly used the most uses the large-scale applications due to the complexity of systems. |
Read: MariaDB JSON Data Type
MariaDB columnstore vs PostgreSQL
In this sub-topic, we will discuss the database columnstore of MariaDB and PostgreSQL.
MariaDB columnstore:
It is a column-store engine that utilizes massively parallel, distributed data architecture. It is a storage engine for the MariaDB server, which comes from the MariaDB 10.5.4 version.
The MariaDB column store is built for big data scaling, with the potential to manage petabytes of data, linear scalability, and great performance with real-time response to analytical queries. It takes advantage of the I/O advantages of columnar storage, compression, just-in-time projection, and horizontal and vertical partitioning to give exceptional performance while processing massive data sets.
PostgreSQL columnstore:
The PostgreSQL column store provides a more performant way for PostgreSQL to retrieve data from a large table in queries that use a subset of all columns in the table. It helps improve query and reporting performance, especially at a high scale for users. With the help of implementation, data warehouses and analytical databases are free to open source in PostgreSQL.
You may also like to read the following MariaDB tutorials.
- MariaDB Date_Format + Examples
- MariaDB Add Auto Increment Column
- MariaDB Primary Key With Examples
- MariaDB JSON Function + Examples
- MariaDB Substring [11 Examples]
- MariaDB LIKE Operator [7 Examples]
- How to Change Column in MariaDB
- MariaDB Reserved Words – Helpful Tutorial
In this tutorial, we examined the differences between MariaDB and Postgres, as well as several examples.
I am Bijay having more than 15 years of experience in the Software Industry. During this time, I have worked on MariaDB and used it in a lot of projects. Most of our readers are from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Want to learn MariaDB? Check out all the articles and tutorials that I wrote on MariaDB. Also, I am a Microsoft MVP.