Which database is faster in 2026?

MySQL remains ~10-15% faster for simple read/write operations due to lower overhead, but PostgreSQL's superior query optimizer handles complex queries 25-40% faster. The performance difference is negligible (≤30% variance) for most workloads; choose based on feature fit, not pure speed.

Can PostgreSQL handle AI/ML embeddings while MySQL cannot?

PostgreSQL has native pgvector support and built-in vector similarity functions, making it ideal for LLM embeddings and semantic search. MySQL lacks native vector support, though third-party extensions exist. For 2026 AI workloads, PostgreSQL is significantly ahead.

Is PostgreSQL harder to set up than MySQL?

PostgreSQL requires more initial configuration tuning but modern managed services (AWS RDS, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, GCP Cloud SQL) abstract complexity away. For self-hosted setups, MySQL is simpler; for cloud deployments, the difference is minimal.

Should I migrate from MySQL to PostgreSQL in 2026?

Migrate if you need vector search, complex analytics, superior data integrity, or JSON-heavy workloads. Stay with MySQL if your application runs well, you have MySQL expertise, and features like pgvector are unnecessary. Migration effort typically requires 2-4 weeks for medium applications.

What's the cost difference between MySQL and PostgreSQL on cloud platforms?

MySQL typically costs 10-15% less on AWS, GCP, and Azure for equivalent instance sizes. However, PostgreSQL's efficiency on complex queries often means you need fewer instances, potentially offsetting higher per-instance pricing for analytics workloads.

Which database supports time-series data better in 2026?

PostgreSQL with TimescaleDB extension is purpose-built for time-series, offering compression, automatic partitioning, and specialized functions. MySQL requires manual partitioning and lacks native optimizations, making PostgreSQL 3-5x faster for time-series at scale.

MySQL vs PostgreSQL

Updated March 31, 2026

MySQL

Open-source relational database emphasizing simplicity, speed, and ease of deployment for web applications.

Web applications, e-commerce platforms, content management systems, high-traffic sites requiring simple schemas

PostgreSQL

Advanced open-source relational database with comprehensive ACID compliance, JSON/array support, and extensibility for enterprise workloads.

Enterprise applications, data warehouses, analytics platforms, AI/ML systems with embeddings, complex reporting

Short Answer

PostgreSQL excels for complex queries, advanced features, and data integrity with superior JSON/array support and full ACID compliance, while MySQL offers simplicity, speed for basic operations, and lower resource overhead. Choose PostgreSQL for enterprise applications; choose MySQL for high-traffic web services prioritizing speed.

Our Verdict

Both databases remain production-ready in 2026, with MySQL 9.x and PostgreSQL 18 offering significant improvements. Choose PostgreSQL for data-heavy applications, analytics, AI/vector workloads, and complex logic; choose MySQL for web applications, e-commerce, and scenarios where deployment simplicity and baseline speed matter most. For new projects, PostgreSQL's feature set increasingly justifies adoption despite slightly higher operational overhead.

MySQL9

6PostgreSQL

Choose MySQL if

Web applications, e-commerce platforms, content management systems, high-traffic sites requiring simple schemas

Key Differences at a Glance

🔹

ACID Compliance: PostgreSQL wins (Full across all operations vs Partial (InnoDB only))

🔹

JSON Support: PostgreSQL wins (Advanced JSONB with indexing vs Basic JSON functions)

⚡

Query Performance: PostgreSQL wins (Superior for complex queries vs Faster for simple queries)

See all 8 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	MySQL	PostgreSQL	Diff
Simple Query Throughput(queries/sec)	~28,000 (MySQL 8.4)	~25,000 (PostgreSQL 18)	+12%
Complex Join Performance(ms response time)	~450 (5-table join)	~320 (5-table join)	+41%
Base Memory Footprint(MB)	~80 (minimal config)

Key Differences

MySQL

Attribute

PostgreSQL

Partial (InnoDB only)

ACID Compliance

Full across all operations🏆

Basic JSON functions

JSON Support

Advanced JSONB with indexing🏆

Faster for simple queries

Query Performance

Superior for complex queries

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Last updated: March 31, 2026AI generated

ACID Compliance

MySQL

Partial (InnoDB only)

PostgreSQL

Full across all operations🏆

JSON Support

MySQL

Basic JSON functions

PostgreSQL

Advanced JSONB with indexing🏆

Query Performance

MySQL

Faster for simple queries

PostgreSQL

Superior for complex queries🏆

Replication Setup

MySQL

Easier, binary log-based🏆

PostgreSQL

More robust, WAL-based

Memory Usage

MySQL

Lower baseline overhead🏆

PostgreSQL

Higher resource requirements

Feature Richness

MySQL

Core relational features

PostgreSQL

Advanced types, window functions, CTEs🏆

Vector Similarity

MySQL

Limited via extensions

PostgreSQL

Native pgvector support🏆

Time-Series Performance

MySQL

Adequate for basic use

PostgreSQL

Optimized with TimescaleDB🏆

Full Comparison

Attribute	MySQL	PostgreSQL

ACID Compliance Level	Partial (InnoDB only)	Complete (all operations)

Simple Query Throughput(queries/sec)	~28,000 (MySQL 8.4)	~25,000 (PostgreSQL 18)
Complex Join Performance(ms response time)	~450 (5-table join)	~320 (5-table join)
Replication Lag (typical)(ms)	5-50 (binary log)	10-100 (WAL)

JSON Query Capability	JSON functions only	JSONB with full indexing
Full-Text Search	Limited, basic support	Comprehensive native support
Time-Series Optimization	Standard table partitioning	TimescaleDB extension native

Base Memory Footprint(MB)	~80 (minimal config)	~150 (minimal config)

Vector Similarity Support	Via third-party extensions	Native pgvector

AWS RDS Managed Cost($/month (db.t3.micro, single-AZ))	$13.50 (MySQL 8.4)	$15.25 (PostgreSQL 18)

Supported Versions (2026)(major versions)	5 (8.0-8.4 active)	5 (14-18 active)

Enterprise Support Availability	Oracle, multiple vendors	EDB, multiple vendors

MySQL

PostgreSQL

ACID Compliance Level

Partial (InnoDB only)

Complete (all operations)

Simple Query Throughput(queries/sec)

~28,000 (MySQL 8.4)

~25,000 (PostgreSQL 18)

Complex Join Performance(ms response time)

~450 (5-table join)

~320 (5-table join)

Replication Lag (typical)(ms)

5-50 (binary log)

10-100 (WAL)

JSON Query Capability

JSON functions only

JSONB with full indexing

Full-Text Search

Limited, basic support

Comprehensive native support

Time-Series Optimization

Standard table partitioning

TimescaleDB extension native

Base Memory Footprint(MB)

~80 (minimal config)

~150 (minimal config)

Vector Similarity Support

Via third-party extensions

Native pgvector

AWS RDS Managed Cost($/month (db.t3.micro, single-AZ))

$13.50 (MySQL 8.4)

$15.25 (PostgreSQL 18)

Supported Versions (2026)(major versions)

5 (8.0-8.4 active)

5 (14-18 active)

Enterprise Support Availability

Oracle, multiple vendors

EDB, multiple vendors

Full Comparison

Attribute	MySQL	PostgreSQL

ACID Compliance Level	Partial (InnoDB only)	Complete (all operations)

Simple Query Throughput(queries/sec)	~28,000 (MySQL 8.4)	~25,000 (PostgreSQL 18)
Complex Join Performance(ms response time)	~450 (5-table join)	~320 (5-table join)
Replication Lag (typical)(ms)	5-50 (binary log)	10-100 (WAL)

JSON Query Capability	JSON functions only	JSONB with full indexing
Full-Text Search	Limited, basic support	Comprehensive native support
Time-Series Optimization	Standard table partitioning	TimescaleDB extension native

Base Memory Footprint(MB)	~80 (minimal config)	~150 (minimal config)

Vector Similarity Support	Via third-party extensions	Native pgvector

AWS RDS Managed Cost($/month (db.t3.micro, single-AZ))	$13.50 (MySQL 8.4)	$15.25 (PostgreSQL 18)

Supported Versions (2026)(major versions)	5 (8.0-8.4 active)	5 (14-18 active)

Enterprise Support Availability	Oracle, multiple vendors	EDB, multiple vendors

MySQL

PostgreSQL

ACID Compliance Level

Partial (InnoDB only)

Complete (all operations)

Simple Query Throughput(queries/sec)

~28,000 (MySQL 8.4)

~25,000 (PostgreSQL 18)

Complex Join Performance(ms response time)

~450 (5-table join)

~320 (5-table join)

Replication Lag (typical)(ms)

5-50 (binary log)

10-100 (WAL)

JSON Query Capability

JSON functions only

JSONB with full indexing

Full-Text Search

Limited, basic support

Comprehensive native support

Time-Series Optimization

Standard table partitioning

TimescaleDB extension native

Base Memory Footprint(MB)

~80 (minimal config)

~150 (minimal config)

Vector Similarity Support

Via third-party extensions

Native pgvector

AWS RDS Managed Cost($/month (db.t3.micro, single-AZ))

$13.50 (MySQL 8.4)

$15.25 (PostgreSQL 18)

Supported Versions (2026)(major versions)

5 (8.0-8.4 active)

5 (14-18 active)

Enterprise Support Availability

Oracle, multiple vendors

EDB, multiple vendors

MySQL vs PostgreSQL

MySQL

PostgreSQL

Short Answer

Our Verdict

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Related Articles

Explore Entities

More Technology

People Also Compare

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

MySQL

Pros

Cons

PostgreSQL

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Wikipedia

Videos

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison