MariaDB vs PostgreSQL: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for MariaDB and PostgreSQL side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
MariaDB
Open-source relational database from MySQL creators
Best for you if:
- • You want MySQL fork, compatible
PostgreSQL
Advanced open source SQL database
Best for you if:
- • You want most advanced open-source database
| At a Glance | MariaDB | PostgreSQL |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $65/mo, billed monthly SkySQL plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Data & Databases Managed Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 226 reviews | 4.5/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.6 1,094 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose MariaDB or PostgreSQL?
Choose MariaDB if
- You want MySQL fork, compatible
- You want open source
Choose PostgreSQL if
- You want most advanced open-source database
- You want excellent for complex queries and JSON
In-Depth Analysis
MariaDB
Open-source relational database from MySQL creators
MariaDB's pricing is very generous, offering a fully-featured Community edition for free.
Strengths
- Pro: MySQL fork, compatible
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Good performance
- Pro: Enterprise features free
Weaknesses
- Con: Diverging from MySQL
- Con: Smaller ecosystem
- Con: Some tools MySQL-only
- Con: Documentation gaps
- Con: Less cloud support
Key features
PostgreSQL
Advanced open source SQL database
PostgreSQL's pricing, being entirely free and open source, is exceptionally generous and fair compared to any commercial database solution.
Strengths
- Pro: Most advanced open-source database
- Pro: Excellent for complex queries and JSON
- Pro: Strong data integrity and ACID compliance
- Pro: Highly extensible with extensions
- Pro: Large community and ecosystem
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be complex to tune for performance
- Con: Vertical scaling more limited than NoSQL
- Con: Replication setup requires expertise
- Con: Memory-intensive for large datasets
- Con: Less suitable for simple key-value use cases
Key features
Plans and prices: MariaDB vs PostgreSQL
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MariaDB |
| mariadb.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
| PostgreSQL |
| postgresql.org read Oct 15, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on MariaDB pricing and PostgreSQL pricing.
Key Takeaways
MariaDB
- Choose if you want open-source relational database from MySQL creators
PostgreSQL
- Choose if you want advanced open source SQL database
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 226 reviews for MariaDB, 4.5/5 from 1,094 reviews for PostgreSQL).
- MariaDB starts at $65/mo, billed monthly; PostgreSQL has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do MariaDB and PostgreSQL compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 226 reviews for MariaDB, 4.5/5 from 1,094 reviews for PostgreSQL). MariaDB starts at $65/mo, billed monthly; PostgreSQL has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are MariaDB and PostgreSQL used for?
MariaDB: Open-source relational database from MySQL creators. PostgreSQL: Advanced open source SQL database.
What does MariaDB cost vs PostgreSQL?
MariaDB's cheapest paid plan is SkySQL at $65/mo, billed monthly. PostgreSQL is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 15, 2026.
What's the main difference between MariaDB and PostgreSQL?
MariaDB's main strength: MySQL fork, compatible. PostgreSQL's main strength: most advanced open-source database.