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Perform zero-downtime, reversible schema migrations for PostgreSQL with ease.

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Tracked since2026
0 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Eliminates downtime during database schema changes

Biggest con

Requires Go 1.24 or later for source installation

TL;DR - pgroll

  • Enables zero-downtime PostgreSQL schema migrations.
  • Supports simultaneous operation of old and new schema versions.
  • Provides instant rollback capabilities for migrations.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups

What is pgroll?

Editorial review
pgroll is an open-source command-line tool designed to simplify PostgreSQL schema migrations by enabling zero-downtime updates. It achieves this by serving multiple schema versions simultaneously, ensuring client applications continue to function without interruption even during complex or breaking changes. The tool handles the intricate aspects of migrations, such as applying changes without locking the database and automatically backfilling columns when necessary. This tool is ideal for developers and organizations working with PostgreSQL databases who need to perform schema changes frequently without impacting application availability. It significantly reduces the risks associated with database migrations, allows for instant rollbacks in case of issues, and simplifies the client application rollout process. pgroll supports PostgreSQL 14.0 or later and works with various PostgreSQL services, including RDS and Aurora.

Available on: Web

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Eliminates downtime during database schema changes
  • Reduces risk with instant rollback functionality
  • Simplifies client application deployment by supporting multiple schema versions
  • Easy to integrate with existing PostgreSQL setups
  • Open-source and actively maintained

Cons

  • Requires Go 1.24 or later for source installation
  • Users need to manually configure client applications to use new schema versions

Key Features

Zero-downtime migrations without database lockingSimultaneous operation of old and new schema versionsAutomatic column backfillingInstant rollback of migrationsWorks with existing PostgreSQL schemasSupports PostgreSQL 14.0 or laterCompatible with any PostgreSQL service (e.g., RDS, Aurora)Cross-platform single binary written in Go

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Jul 7, 2026

Open Source

Free

  • Full source code access
  • Apache License 2.0 license
  • Community support
  • Self-hosted

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pgroll FAQ

How does pgroll ensure zero-downtime schema migrations?

pgroll achieves zero-downtime by serving multiple schema versions concurrently. This allows client applications to continue operating without interruption even when complex or breaking schema changes are being applied to the PostgreSQL database.

What kind of user benefits most from pgroll?

pgroll is ideal for developers and organizations that frequently need to make schema changes to PostgreSQL databases without affecting application availability. It helps reduce risks associated with database migrations and simplifies the deployment process for client applications.

How is pgroll priced?

pgroll is an open-source tool that is free to use. There is no paid plan required to access its features for PostgreSQL schema migrations.

Can pgroll be used with cloud-managed PostgreSQL services?

Yes, pgroll supports PostgreSQL 14.0 or later and is compatible with various PostgreSQL services. This includes cloud-managed options such as Amazon RDS and Aurora.

How does pgroll compare to Supabase for database schema changes?

pgroll specifically focuses on enabling zero-downtime, reversible schema migrations for PostgreSQL, ensuring continuous application availability during updates. Supabase offers a broader platform that includes database hosting and other backend services, with schema management as one component.

Source: pgroll.com

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