Select Star SQL VS PostgreSQL Exercises

• Completely Free
  Select Star SQL is entirely free to use with no paywalls, subscriptions, or hidden costs. This makes it accessible to anyone who wants to learn SQL regardless of their financial situation.
• Interactive Hands-On Learning
  The platform provides an interactive SQL environment directly in the browser where learners can write and execute real SQL queries against actual datasets, reinforcing concepts through practice rather than passive reading.
• Real-World Dataset
  The course uses a compelling real-world dataset about Texas death row executions, which makes the learning experience more engaging and meaningful compared to abstract or contrived examples.
• Well-Structured Progressive Curriculum
  The course is organized in a logical progression from basic SELECT statements to more advanced concepts like aggregations, joins, and subqueries, allowing learners to build knowledge incrementally without feeling overwhelmed.
• No Setup Required
  There is no need to install any software, set up a database, or configure an environment. Learners can start writing SQL queries immediately in their web browser, removing a significant barrier to entry for beginners.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited Scope
  The course covers only fundamental SQL concepts and does not address more advanced topics like window functions, CTEs, indexing, database design, or performance optimization, which are essential for professional SQL usage.
• Single Database Dialect
  The platform teaches SQL using SQLite, and does not cover syntax differences or features specific to other popular database systems like PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, or Oracle, which learners may encounter in real jobs.
• No Certificate or Credential
  Completing the course does not provide any formal certificate, badge, or credential that learners could use to demonstrate their SQL skills to potential employers or on professional profiles.
• Limited Practice Exercises
  While the course includes some exercises, the total number of practice problems is relatively small compared to dedicated SQL practice platforms, which may not be sufficient for learners who need extensive repetition to solidify their skills.
• Single Dataset Can Feel Restrictive
  Using only one dataset throughout the entire course means learners do not get experience working with diverse data schemas, table relationships, or different types of data, which limits exposure to varied real-world scenarios.

• Free and accessible
  PostgreSQL Exercises is completely free to use with no registration required, making it highly accessible to anyone who wants to practice SQL skills without any financial barrier.
• Interactive practice environment
  The site provides a built-in SQL query editor where users can write and execute queries directly in the browser against a real database, getting immediate feedback on their results.
• Progressive difficulty
  Exercises are well-organized into categories (basic, joins, aggregation, date, string, recursive) and progress from simple to complex, allowing learners to build their skills incrementally.
• Realistic dataset
  The site uses a realistic country club management scenario with interconnected tables, giving learners practice with a coherent and relatable data model rather than abstract or disconnected examples.
• Detailed solutions and explanations
  Each exercise comes with a detailed expected result set and a thorough explanation of the solution, helping learners understand not just what the answer is but why it works.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited dataset scope
  The entire site relies on a single small dataset (a country club with members, facilities, and bookings), which limits exposure to diverse data modeling patterns and real-world complexity.
• No user progress tracking
  Since there is no account system or registration, the site does not track user progress, making it difficult for learners to pick up where they left off or monitor their improvement over time.
• PostgreSQL-specific syntax
  The exercises focus specifically on PostgreSQL syntax and features, which may not directly translate to other database systems like MySQL, SQL Server, or Oracle, potentially limiting transferability of learned skills.
• Outdated design and interface
  The website has a dated visual design and user interface that lacks modern UX features such as syntax highlighting, auto-completion, or responsive mobile support, making it less pleasant to use compared to newer platforms.
• Limited number of exercises
  The total number of exercises is relatively small compared to other competitive programming or SQL practice platforms, meaning advanced users may quickly exhaust the available problems.

Tracking Select Star SQL since May 2026.

• Learn SQL by Typing It: Three Browser Database Terminals Compared

  Disclosure: I help build these simulators; they are part of 50+ free DevOps games and simulators. For more practice beyond them, SQLBolt and PostgreSQL Exercises are excellent and free, and SQL Murder Mystery is the most fun anyone has... - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago