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PostgreSQL VS Amazon Aurora

Compare PostgreSQL VS Amazon Aurora and see what are their differences

PostgreSQL logo PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is a powerful, open source object-relational database system.

Amazon Aurora logo Amazon Aurora

MySQL and PostgreSQL-compatible relational database built for the cloud. Performance and availability of commercial-grade databases at 1/10th the cost.
  • PostgreSQL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • Amazon Aurora Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-17

Amazon Aurora

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
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Release Date
2014 October

PostgreSQL features and specs

  • Open Source
    PostgreSQL is an open-source database management system, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This reduces the cost of database management for individuals and organizations.
  • ACID Compliance
    PostgreSQL is fully ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) compliant, ensuring reliable transactions and data integrity.
  • Extensible
    PostgreSQL is highly extensible, allowing users to add custom functions, data types, and operators. This enables tailored solutions to specific requirements.
  • Advanced SQL Features
    PostgreSQL supports advanced SQL features like full-text search, JSON and XML data types, and complex queries, providing powerful tools for database operations.
  • Community Support
    There is a strong and active community around PostgreSQL, offering extensive documentation, forums, and collaborative support, which aids troubleshooting and development.
  • Multiple Indexing Techniques
    PostgreSQL offers a variety of indexing techniques such as B-tree, GIN, GiST, and BRIN, allowing for optimized query performance on various data types.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    PostgreSQL runs on all major operating systems (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Unix), giving flexibility in deployment and development environments.

Possible disadvantages of PostgreSQL

  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up and configuring PostgreSQL can be complex and time-consuming, especially for beginners, requiring a good understanding of its parameters and best practices.
  • Heavy Resource Consumption
    PostgreSQL can be resource-intensive, consuming significant CPU and memory compared to other database systems, which may affect performance on lower-end hardware.
  • Backup and Restore Process
    The backup and restore process in PostgreSQL is not as straightforward as in some other database systems, requiring more manual intervention and understanding of tools like pg_dump and pg_restore.
  • Replication Complexity
    While PostgreSQL supports replication, setting it up can be more complex than some other databases. Advanced configurations like multi-master replication can be particularly challenging.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Due to its advanced features and extensive capabilities, PostgreSQL can have a steeper learning curve, making it harder for new users to get started compared to simpler database systems.
  • Less Third-Party Tool Support
    PostgreSQL has less support from third-party tools compared to more widely adopted databases like MySQL, which can limit options for auxiliary functions like administration, monitoring, and development.

Amazon Aurora features and specs

  • High Performance
    Amazon Aurora is designed to provide up to five times the throughput of standard MySQL and three times the throughput of standard PostgreSQL databases.
  • Scalability
    Aurora scales storage automatically, growing from 10GB up to 128TB with no downtime. This automatic scaling makes it ideal for applications with fluctuating workloads.
  • High Availability and Durability
    Aurora automatically replicates six copies of data across three availability zones and continuously backs up data to Amazon S3, ensuring durability.
  • Security
    Aurora offers multiple layers of security including network isolation using Amazon VPC, encryption at rest using keys that you create and control through AWS Key Management Service (KMS), and encryption of data in transit using SSL.
  • Fully Managed
    Aurora is fully managed by AWS, which automates time-consuming administrative tasks such as hardware provisioning, database setup, patching, and backups.
  • Compatibility
    Aurora is compatible with MySQL and PostgreSQL, making it easier to migrate existing applications to Aurora with minimal changes.
  • Immutability
    Amazon QLDB uses an immutable transaction log, which ensures that all changes to the data are permanent and cannot be deleted or altered. This enables high data integrity and supports cryptographic verification.
  • Serverless Architecture
    QLDB is serverless, meaning that it automatically scales according to your needs. You donโ€™t have to worry about managing and provisioning servers, thus reducing operational complexity.
  • Integrated with AWS Ecosystem
    Being part of AWS, QLDB can easily integrate with other AWS services, such as AWS Lambda, Amazon S3, and Amazon CloudWatch, providing a seamless experience for building applications.
  • ACID Transactions
    QLDB supports ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) transactions, ensuring data integrity, which is crucial for applications that require reliable transaction guarantees.
  • Cryptographic Verification
    The ledger uses a cryptographic hashing process to create a chain of blocks, allowing you to verify the integrity of your data over time.

Possible disadvantages of Amazon Aurora

  • Cost
    Aurora can be more expensive than traditional RDS instances, particularly for workloads that do not fully utilize its high performance and scalability features.
  • Complexity
    The numerous features and configurations can make Aurora complex to manage and tune, especially for those who are not familiar with AWS services.
  • Vendor Lock-in
    Adopting Aurora ties you into the AWS ecosystem, which can make it difficult to migrate to other cloud providers or on-premises systems.
  • Cold Start Latency
    Aurora Serverless can experience latency during cold starts, which can be problematic for applications requiring instant scalability.
  • Limited to AWS Environment
    Aurora is only available within the AWS environment, which can be limiting if your infrastructure spans multiple cloud providers.
  • Limited Query Language
    QLDB uses PartiQL, which while powerful, may not support the full range of complex queries and functionality available in more mature query languages like SQL.
  • Not a Blockchain
    QLDB provides blockchain-like capabilities but is not a decentralized blockchain. This means it does not have the decentralized features of public blockchains, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.
  • Performance Overhead
    The immutable nature of QLDB can introduce performance overhead, especially for write-heavy applications, which could be a concern in performance-sensitive environments.

Analysis of PostgreSQL

Overall verdict

  • Yes, PostgreSQL is considered a high-quality and reliable database management system, suitable for a wide range of applications, from small-scale personal projects to large enterprise systems.

Why this product is good

  • PostgreSQL is known for its strong support of SQL standards and excellent documentation, making it reliable for complex database requirements.
  • It provides advanced features such as multi-version concurrency control (MVCC), point-in-time recovery, and support for advanced indexing techniques.
  • PostgreSQL offers robust performance optimization options, powerful extensions, and a highly customizable platform.
  • It has a strong open-source community, ensuring ongoing improvements and support.
  • PostgreSQL is compatible with popular development frameworks and languages, enhancing its versatility.

Recommended for

  • Organizations seeking a scalable and stable database solution with strong compliance with SQL standards.
  • Developers who need advanced features like custom data types and indexing capabilities.
  • Projects requiring robust transactional integrity and data consistency.
  • Businesses looking for a cost-effective open-source database solution with active community support.

Analysis of Amazon Aurora

Overall verdict

  • Amazon Aurora is generally regarded as an excellent database service for businesses that require robust performance and high availability. It strikes a balance between cost-effectiveness and advanced database features, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Why this product is good

  • Amazon Aurora is considered a good choice for many applications due to its high performance, scalability, and compatibility with popular database systems like MySQL and PostgreSQL. It offers features like automated backups, quick failover, and replication capabilities. Aurora is designed to be fault-tolerant and highly available, providing a fully managed solution that relieves users from the operational burden associated with on-premise database management.

Recommended for

    Amazon Aurora is recommended for organizations that need reliable, scalable, and high-performance databases. It is well-suited for web and mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, real-time analytics, and other use cases requiring high availability and fault tolerance. It's ideal for businesses looking to modernize their database infrastructure and take advantage of cloud-native capabilities.

PostgreSQL videos

Comparison of PostgreSQL and MongoDB

More videos:

  • Review - PostgreSQL Review
  • Review - MySQL vs PostgreSQL - Why you shouldn't use MySQL

Amazon Aurora videos

Introduction to Amazon Aurora - Relational Database Built for the Cloud - AWS

More videos:

  • Review - Getting started with Amazon QLDB
  • Review - Amazon Aurora Global Database Deep Dive
  • Review - What's New in Amazon Aurora - AWS Online Tech Talks

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PostgreSQL and Amazon Aurora)
Databases
73 73%
27% 27
Relational Databases
74 74%
26% 26
Tool
75 75%
25% 25
NoSQL Databases
77 77%
23% 23

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare PostgreSQL and Amazon Aurora

PostgreSQL Reviews

Database Management Systems (DBMS) Comparison: SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Oracle
Choosing the right database management system (DBMS) is a crucial decision that directly impacts your projectโ€™s performance and scalability. With a variety of options โ€” SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Oracle, and more โ€” each offering unique features and capabilities, itโ€™s important to carefully match the type of database software to your specific needs. Consider...
Source: blog.devart.com
20 Best Database Management Software and Tools of 2026
Yes, several tools, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB, offer free versions. While these are robust, enterprise editions or add-ons may come with additional costs for advanced features and support.
Source: infomineo.com
Data Warehouse Tools
Peliqan acts as a bridge, allowing you to e.g. effortlessly pull your PostgreSQL data into Google Sheets for easy access and analysis using its one-click connector. Additionally, Peliqanโ€™s platform provides a user-friendly environment for data exploration, transformation with Magical SQL, and visualization capabilities, all without needing to switch between multiple tools.
Source: peliqan.io
Top 5 BigQuery Alternatives: A Challenge of Complexity
For over three decades, the open-source object-relational database system PostgreSQL has maintained its reputation as a top SQL server due to its features, performance, and reliability. (Heck, Redshift is even based on Postgres!) It's the go-to database solution for large corporations and organizations across a variety of industries from ecommerce to gaming to...
Source: blog.panoply.io
10 Best Database Management Software Of 2022 [+ Examples]
Applications Manager offers out-of-the-box health and performance monitoring for 20 popular databases including RDBMS, NoSQL, in-memory, distributed, and big data stores. It supports both commercial databases such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL, IBM DB2, and MongoDB as well as open source ones like MySQL and PostgreSQL.
Source: theqalead.com

Amazon Aurora Reviews

We have no reviews of Amazon Aurora yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Amazon Aurora might be a bit more popular than PostgreSQL. We know about 28 links to it since March 2021 and only 19 links to PostgreSQL. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PostgreSQL mentions (19)

  • Create an API - Project Setup
    In this new series we will be creating an API written in go, using a framework like Chi, connecting to a PostgreSQL, and have it deployed to a site like Railway. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • PostgreSQL vs MySQL 2026: Which Database Wins for Modern Apps?
    PostgreSQL 17 Performance Guide โ€” Official docs for the latest performance improvements. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • #5 - 'The Power of [Separation] Compels You!'
    You also might be saying, Why not include the credit and attribution data with the product data and just use one data file? Thats a great question. I could have for the purpose of this demo, but if there were a backend to this project and a relational database like PostgreSQL attached to it, I would still have both sets of data in separate tables in the database. By using a foreign key between related records in... - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • Convert insert mutation to upsert
    In this quick post, weโ€™ll walk through implementing an Upsert operation in Hasura using PostgreSQL and GraphQL. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Perfect Elixir: Environment Setup
    Iโ€™m on MacOS and erlang.org, elixir-lang.org, and postgresql.org all suggest installation via Homebrew, which is a very popular package manager for MacOS. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
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Amazon Aurora mentions (28)

  • Launching BabyChain: durable image and video model chains on AWS Aurora and Vercel
    The short version is this: BabyChain lets you design a ComfyUI-style media chain on a canvas, then call that same chain from product code as POST /api/v1/chains/runs. Every step executes through provider APIs with server-side credentials, every state transition persists to AWS Aurora, and Vercel functions stay stateless. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • AIP-C01 last-minute revision: exam traps, memory hooks, and quick notes
    RAG provides dynamic, up-to-date knowledge through vector stores (Amazon OpenSearch Serverless, Amazon Aurora pgvector, Amazon MemoryDB, Amazon ElastiCache, MongoDB Atlas, Pinecone, Redis Enterprise Cloud). - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • A Practical Guide to Building AI Agents with Java and Spring AI - Part 2 - Add Memory
    When deploying to production, switch to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL or any managed database by setting environment variables:. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Comparative guide for SQL Subqueries vs CTEs vs Temp Tables vs Views vs Materialized Views in AWS Aurora
    In modern data-driven applications, the efficiency and readability of SQL queries can affect performance, maintainability, and developer productivity. AWS Aurora, a fully managed relational database service compatible with MySQL and PostgreSQL, offers several techniques to manage query complexity and optimize performance through: Subqueries, Common table expressions, Temporary Tables, Views, and Materialized views. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • AWS Lamba & RDS Proxy
    At some point I really needed to use a relational database and I started playing with RDS Aurora. I created an instance, connected from Lambda and it worked just fine. However when I generated a bit more load it soon started locking up, all connections were in use and new ones couldn't be created. It would take a while for the database to become available again. The warning for combining Lambda with connection... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing PostgreSQL and Amazon Aurora, you can also consider the following products

MySQL - The world's most popular open source database

Oracle DBaaS - See how Oracle Database 12c enables businesses to plug into the cloud and power the real-time enterprise.

Microsoft SQL - Microsoft SQL is a best in class relational database management software that facilitates the database server to provide you a primary function to store and retrieve data.

SQLite - SQLite Home Page

SAP HANA - SAP HANA is an in-memory, column-oriented, relational database management system.

MongoDB - MongoDB (from "humongous") is a scalable, high-performance NoSQL database.