Software Alternatives & Startups

PostgreSQL VS Heroku Postgres

Compare PostgreSQL VS Heroku Postgres and see what are their differences

PostgreSQL

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

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Heroku Postgres

Heroku Postgres is an SQL database as a service.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, PostgreSQL seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 19 times since March 2021.

social mentions
19 vs 0
Databases popularity
95% vs 5%
alternatives listed
239 vs 48

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

PostgreSQL
Heroku Postgres
Website postgresql.org heroku.com
Pricing
Open source Official pricing
—
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

PostgreSQL 7 features
Heroku Postgres 5 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Scalability
    Heroku Postgres offers seamless vertical and horizontal scaling, allowing you to handle increased loads without significant changes to your application.
  • Managed Service
    Heroku manages the database infrastructure, which includes automated backups, software updates, and security patches, reducing the operational overhead.
  • Integration
    Heroku Postgres integrates well with other Heroku services and add-ons, facilitating a smoother development and deployment workflow.
  • High Availability
    It provides high availability features like automated failover and redundancy to minimize downtime and ensure consistent performance.
  • Monitoring Tools
    Includes several built-in tools for monitoring database performance, which help you identify and troubleshoot issues efficiently.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    Heroku Postgres can be more expensive than self-hosted solutions, especially as your database requirements grow.
  • Limited Control
    As a managed service, it offers less control over database configurations and customizations compared to self-managed databases.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Using Heroku Postgres can make it more challenging to transition to other platforms in the future, potentially leading to vendor lock-in.
  • Latency
    For applications not hosted on Heroku, there can be increased latency when interacting with the Heroku Postgres service due to its remote nature.
  • Advanced Feature Limitations
    Some advanced PostgreSQL features might not be fully supported or available in Heroku Postgres, limiting its use for certain specialized applications.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

PostgreSQL
Heroku Postgres

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.

No analysis of Heroku Postgres yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

PostgreSQL 3 videos + Add
Heroku Postgres 0 videos + Add

Comparison of PostgreSQL and MongoDB

More videos

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

No Heroku Postgres videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
PostgreSQL
Heroku Postgres
95% 95%
5% 5%
94% 94%
6% 6%
100% 100%
0% 0%
93% 93%
7% 7%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

PostgreSQL no reviews yet
Heroku Postgres no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

PostgreSQL 19 mentions
Heroku Postgres 0 mentions

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Tracking Heroku Postgres since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to PostgreSQL and Heroku Postgres

When comparing PostgreSQL and Heroku Postgres, you can also consider the following products.