Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PostgreSQL VS Postgres.app

Compare PostgreSQL VS Postgres.app and see what are their differences

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PostgreSQL logo PostgreSQL

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

Postgres.app logo Postgres.app

The easiest way to run PostgreSQL on the Mac.
  • PostgreSQL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • Postgres.app Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-28

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.

Postgres.app features and specs

  • Ease of Installation
    Postgres.app is very easy to install on macOS as it provides a one-click setup process, making it ideal for beginners or developers looking for a hassle-free installation experience.
  • Integrated Environment
    It includes a full PostgreSQL server, along with utilities such as pgAdmin, psql, and PostGIS, offering an integrated environment for database development and management without requiring additional installations.
  • Regular Updates
    Postgres.app is regularly updated to include the latest stable releases of PostgreSQL, ensuring users have access to the newest features and security patches.
  • Self-Contained
    All components required for running PostgreSQL are bundled within the app, reducing potential conflicts with other software and simplifying the management of dependencies.
  • No Need for Administrative Privileges
    Postgres.app can be run without needing administrative privileges on the host machine, making it convenient for users who do not have admin access.

Possible disadvantages of Postgres.app

  • macOS Only
    Postgres.app is only available for macOS, which limits its availability to users on other operating systems like Windows and Linux.
  • Large File Size
    The app's self-contained nature results in a relatively large file size, which might be problematic for users with limited storage space.
  • Limited Configuration Options
    While Postgres.app is suitable for development, it may not offer the same level of configuration customization as a manual installation, which can be a drawback for advanced users needing specific settings.
  • Performance Limitations
    Being an all-in-one package, Postgres.app might not be optimized for high-performance production environments compared to more finely-tuned installations.
  • Potential for Outdated Components
    Although updates are frequent, there may be a delay in releasing the very latest versions of PostgreSQL or its components, which could be a concern for bleeding-edge users.

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.

PostgreSQL videos

Comparison of PostgreSQL and MongoDB

More videos:

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

Postgres.app videos

Installing and Setting up PostgreSQL Using Postgres.app

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PostgreSQL and Postgres.app)
Databases
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Relational Databases
100 100%
0% 0
MySQL Tools
0 0%
100% 100

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 Postgres.app

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 project’s performance and scalability. With a variety of options — SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Oracle, and more — each offering unique features and capabilities, it’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, Peliqan’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

Postgres.app Reviews

We have no reviews of Postgres.app yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Postgres.app should be more popular than PostgreSQL. It has been mentiond 41 times since March 2021. 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 / 5 months ago
  • PostgreSQL vs MySQL 2026: Which Database Wins for Modern Apps?
    PostgreSQL 17 Performance Guide — Official docs for the latest performance improvements. - Source: dev.to / 6 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 / 12 months ago
  • Convert insert mutation to upsert
    In this quick post, we’ll walk through implementing an Upsert operation in Hasura using PostgreSQL and GraphQL. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Perfect Elixir: Environment Setup
    I’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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Postgres.app mentions (41)

  • Show HN: Threds.dev – Git-style branching/merging for LLM research chats
    - Code: https://github.com/benjaminfh/researchtree Note: the hosted app currently requires signup (workspaces are persisted + shareable). If you prefer not to create an account, the repo supports running locally (including an Electron build: npm run desktop:package with a local Postgres instance which is quick to spin up using, e.g., https://postgresapp.com/). Feedback I’m hoping for: does branch/merge for context... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • DuckDB is probably the most important geospatial software of the last decade
    PostGIS is included in Postgres.app which is a single executable for Mac. DuckDB appears also to be a single file download for Mac. I’m not sure your “when I was first learning PostGIS” experience reflects the current situation. https://postgresapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Test Driving a Rails API - Part One
    A running Rails application needs a database to connect to. You may already have your database of choice installed, but if not, I recommend PostgreSQL, or Postgres for short. On a Mac, probably the easiest way to install it is with Posrgres.app. Another option, the one I prefer, is to use Homebrew. With Homebrew installed, this command will install PostgreSQL version 16 along with libpq:. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Full Stack Chat App with Socket.io
    I was using Postgres.app, but of course, you can download it in any way as long as it works. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Building Secure Neon-Infused Web Apps with Auth0, Express, and EJS
    There are two ways to connect with the Postgres database which can be in the terminal or using a Postgres GUI client app like DBeaver. But first, download the PostgreSQL installer for macOS or Windows, depending on your OS. The setup and installation come with the psql command, a tool shipped with Postgres that allows you to communicate with Postgres through the command line. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

MySQL - The world's most popular open source database

Homebrew - The missing package manager for macOS

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.

TablePlus - Easily edit database data and structure

SQLite - SQLite Home Page

Node.js - Node.js is a platform built on Chrome's JavaScript runtime for easily building fast, scalable network applications