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It's a split decision.
Choose CockroachDB when your application needs distributed SQL, automatic data rebalancing, and options for managed or multi-region deployment. Its PostgreSQL wire-protocol support can ease migration, but check compatibility with your drivers and ORM. Choose PostgreSQL when you want an open-source database under the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License and can run and operate it yourself. The software is free; hosting and operational costs depend on your setup. CockroachDB’s paid plans start with a listed $203 monthly example.
01Side by side
| CockroachDB | PostgreSQL | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Usage-billed cloud plans; storage and transfer billed separately | Free software; no paid PostgreSQL plans |
| Free tier | 30-day trial with $400 credit | Free of charge; no published usage limits |
| Open source and licence | Open-source status and licence not stated | Open source; OSI-approved PostgreSQL License |
| Self-hosting | Self-host on Kubernetes, on-premises, or hybrid | Self-hostable database server |
| API and SDKs | PostgreSQL wire protocol; most syntax, types, drivers, ORMs | PostgreSQL database system |
| Integrations | PostgreSQL drivers and ORMs; ChatGPT and Codex plugin | Named integrations not listed |
| Deployment model | Managed, customer-cloud, self-hosted, or hybrid | Self-hosted; hosting provider is your choice |
| Limits and scaling | Add nodes; automatic rebalancing and hotspot detection | Scaling depends on your deployment and operations |
CockroachDB Choose CockroachDB if
- Choose CockroachDB if your workload needs distributed SQL across regions.
- Choose CockroachDB if automatic rebalancing reduces manual capacity work.
- Choose CockroachDB if you want managed or customer-cloud deployment options.
PostgreSQL Choose PostgreSQL if
- Choose PostgreSQL if the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License fits your requirements.
- Choose PostgreSQL if you want database software with no license fee.
- Choose PostgreSQL if your team will operate its database hosting.
02Pricing at real usage
PostgreSQL software is free of charge, with no paid plans or published seat and usage limits. Hosting and operations still need an owner: the review describes PostgreSQL as a database server teams host and operate themselves.
CockroachDB has no free plan, but its listed trial runs for 30 days and includes $400 in credit. The pricing page lists a Standard example at $203 per month for 2 vCPU and 100 GB, and Mission Critical at $1,528 per month for 12 vCPU and 100 GB. Rates are usage-based and metered by the minute; storage, backups, and data transfer are billed separately. Standard lists $0.092 per vCPU-hour on its pricing card, while a feature table separately says from $0.057. Mission Critical lists $0.162 per vCPU-hour. Actual bills depend on compute and usage.
03API, SDKs and integration
CockroachDB is a SQL database, not an application API layer. Its homepage says it supports the PostgreSQL wire protocol and most PostgreSQL syntax, data types, drivers, and ORMs, so PostgreSQL-compatible applications may connect with little or no code change. That does not establish compatibility for every application: check your specific driver, ORM, and SQL features before migrating. The homepage also describes a plugin for ChatGPT and Codex.
PostgreSQL is the database system itself, with official documentation for installing and using it and community resources for learning and support. Its homepage does not name specific integrations. Neither homepage lists language-specific SDKs or CLI details, so confirm those against the documentation for your chosen client and deployment. PostgreSQL compatibility gives CockroachDB a familiar integration path, while PostgreSQL avoids a compatibility layer by being PostgreSQL.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
PostgreSQL is open-source software under the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License. CockroachDB’s homepage does not state its open-source status or licence, so confirm the terms for the edition you plan to deploy before making that a procurement requirement.
Both products can be self-hosted. CockroachDB also offers managed deployment and options to run in your cloud account, on Kubernetes, on-premises, or in a hybrid setup. PostgreSQL leaves the hosting choice and database operations to your team or provider. CockroachDB’s PostgreSQL wire-protocol support and compatibility with most syntax, data types, drivers, and ORMs can reduce application changes, but it is not a guarantee of drop-in compatibility. Neither homepage describes data-export tooling. Ask each vendor or provider how to export data, and test the migration path for your schema and workload before committing.
Questions people ask
What kind of database is CockroachDB?
CockroachDB is a distributed SQL database. Its homepage describes a system where every node can read and write, data rebalances automatically, and copies stay in step through Raft consensus. It supports the PostgreSQL wire protocol and most PostgreSQL syntax, data types, drivers, and ORMs.
Is PostgreSQL obsolete?
No. PostgreSQL’s homepage reports more than 35 years of active development and lists PostgreSQL 19 RC 1, released October 15, 2026. The project says not to run release candidates in production. PostgreSQL 14 is scheduled to stop receiving fixes on November 12, 2026.
Is PostgreSQL faster than MSSQL?
There is no universal answer from the product facts. PostgreSQL’s homepage describes its reputation for performance, but database speed depends on workload, schema, queries, configuration, and hosting. Compare both systems using representative application workloads and production-like configurations before choosing.
What is the difference between DynamoDB and PostgreSQL?
PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database system. CockroachDB is a distributed SQL database with PostgreSQL compatibility. The published facts do not describe DynamoDB, so they do not support a detailed comparison with it. Compare data models, consistency needs, scaling, and operational requirements for your workload.