Supavisor vs PGCat: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Supavisor and PGCat comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Supavisor
A scalable, high-performance connection pooler for Postgres.
Best for you if:
- • Open-source PostgreSQL connection pooler.
- • Improves database scalability and performance.
PGCat
PostgreSQL pooler and proxy with sharding, load balancing, and failover support.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • PostgreSQL connection pooler and proxy.
- • Supports sharding, load balancing, and failover.
| At a Glance |  Supavisor |  PGCat |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $10/month/moBasic | Free |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Supavisor or PGCat?
Choose Supavisor if
A scalable, high-performance connection pooler for Postgres.
- Significantly improves PostgreSQL performance under high load.
- Essential for serverless applications to manage database connections efficiently.
- Reduces the resource consumption on the PostgreSQL server.
Choose PGCat if
PostgreSQL pooler and proxy with sharding, load balancing, and failover support.
- Enhances PostgreSQL performance and scalability.
- Provides robust failover and load balancing for high availability.
- Offers advanced features like sharding and mirroring (though some are experimental).
- You want a fully free tool (Supavisor requires payment)
| Feature | Supavisor | PGCat |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesDevOps | Data & DatabasesDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Supavisor
A scalable, high-performance connection pooler for Postgres.
Strengths
- +Significantly improves PostgreSQL performance under high load.
- +Essential for serverless applications to manage database connections efficiently.
- +Reduces the resource consumption on the PostgreSQL server.
- +Open-source, allowing for transparency and community contributions.
Weaknesses
- -Adds an additional layer of infrastructure to manage.
- -Configuration can be complex for advanced use cases.
- -Requires understanding of connection pooling concepts.
Key features
PGCat
PostgreSQL pooler and proxy with sharding, load balancing, and failover support.
Strengths
- +Enhances PostgreSQL performance and scalability.
- +Provides robust failover and load balancing for high availability.
- +Offers advanced features like sharding and mirroring (though some are experimental).
- +Multi-threaded architecture efficiently uses multicore machines.
- +Open-source with an MIT license.
Weaknesses
- -Some advanced features (sharding, mirroring) are still experimental.
- -Requires Rust for local development.
- -Optimal performance recommends 4 CPUs for default worker settings.
Key features
Pricing: Supavisor vs PGCat
| Plan | Supavisor | PGCat |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Open Source |
| Tier 2 | $10/month Basic | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $25/month Pro | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Supavisor pricing and PGCat pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
PGCat is free. Supavisor is freemium.
Go with: PGCat
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Supavisor
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Supavisor
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Supavisor is freemium. PGCat is free. Go with PGCat if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are data & databases tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Supavisor
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
PGCat
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Supavisor is our pick. That said, PGCat is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Supavisor or PGCat better?
Supavisor is rated in our evaluation. Supavisor is freemium and PGCat is free.
What are Supavisor and PGCat used for?
Supavisor: A scalable, high-performance connection pooler for Postgres.. PGCat: PostgreSQL pooler and proxy with sharding, load balancing, and failover support..
What does Supavisor cost vs PGCat?
Supavisor is freemium (free tier + paid plans). PGCat is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.