🥊 PostgreSQL vs MySQL vs SQLite: Which Database Should You Choose?

Choosing a database can feel like picking a programming language—everyone has an opinion, and “it depends” is usually the answer. But in this post, I’ll break down PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite in a way that helps you make the right call for your next project.

Let’s get into it.

⚙️ Quick Overview

🐘 PostgreSQL: The Powerhouse

PostgreSQL is like the Swiss Army knife of databases. It’s powerful, standards-compliant, and comes with a ton of features like:
✅ Full ACID compliance

✅ MVCC for concurrent transactions

✅ Native JSON & JSONB support

✅ Support for custom data types, full-text search and stored procedures

✅ Extensible with plugins (PostGIS, etc.)

Use When:

• You need high reliability and correctness.
• You’re building analytics-heavy apps.
• You want flexibility with data types or advanced queries.

Not Ideal For:

• Extremely simple or resource-constrained apps.
• Projects where simplicity is more important than power.

🐬 MySQL: The Popular Workhorse

MySQL is fast, reliable, and widely supported. It’s known for its speed and ease of setup, making it a favorite for:
✅ WordPress and other CMSes

✅ E-commerce platforms

✅ Web apps where read-heavy performance matters

Strengths:

• Fast read operations
• Wide adoption (plenty of documentation and hosting support)
• Easy replication and sharding (especially with MariaDB)

Watch Out:
Historically weaker with complex queries and strict SQL compliance

• JSON support is there, but not as robust as PostgreSQL
• The default storage engine (InnoDB) uses locking vs. MVCC

Use When:

• You're deploying a traditional web app.
• You want something battle-tested and lightweight.
• You’re using PHP-based stacks or legacy codebases.

🗃️ SQLite: The Lightweight King

SQLite is a database in a file. There’s no server to run, no user management, and it’s just one .db file you can carry around.

Use When:

• You’re building mobile apps, CLI tools, or IoT projects
• You need an embedded DB without setting up a server
• You want quick prototyping with real SQL features

Strengths:

• Zero-config setup
• Full-featured SQL engine in a small footprint
• Great for local development and testing

Limitations:

• Limited concurrency (no true parallel writes)
• Not meant for high-throughput, multi-user systems
• No user authentication or access control

💡 So... Which One Should You Pick?

No one database is “best”—it depends on your project’s needs.

• Want the most robust features and standards? Go with PostgreSQL.
• Need a stable, fast, well-supported RDBMS? MySQL is a great choice.
• Building lightweight apps or tools? Nothing beats the simplicity of SQLite.

Whatever you choose, understand your trade-offs and design with scale in mind.

💬 What’s your preferred database and why? Have you ever switched from one to another mid-project? Let’s talk!