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It's a split decision.
Choose MariaDB if you want a self-hostable open-source server with several deployment options, a named Node.js connector, or the option to use MariaDB Cloud. Choose PostgreSQL if you want an open-source database under its OSI-approved PostgreSQL License and a project homepage centered on official documentation and community resources. Both are free to use as database software. Your total cost depends on hosting and operations; MariaDB Cloud adds hourly paid tiers, while PostgreSQL teams supply their own hosting.
01Side by side
| MariaDB | PostgreSQL | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Cloud: $0 Foundation; paid tiers from $0.16/hour | Open-source server; no paid PostgreSQL plans |
| Free tier | Free Community Server; Cloud Foundation at $0/month | Free of charge; no published seat or usage limits |
| Open source and license | Open-source Community Server and Enterprise Server | Open source under the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License |
| Self-hosting | Self-hostable; packages, containers, Kubernetes, source | Self-hostable; teams supply hosting and operations |
| API and SDKs | MariaDB Connector/Node.js; Server Plugin API | Homepage lists no specific SDKs |
| CLI and docs | Doxygen docs for the Server Plugin API | Official docs cover installing and using PostgreSQL |
| Integrations | Node.js connector; WordPress deployment post | Homepage lists no specific integrations |
| Deployment model | Self-managed installs or MariaDB Cloud | Self-managed; teams supply hosting |
MariaDB Choose MariaDB if
- Choose MariaDB if you need MariaDB Cloud as an option.
- Choose MariaDB if your application uses its Node.js connector.
- Choose MariaDB if you want varied installation paths.
PostgreSQL Choose PostgreSQL if
- Choose PostgreSQL if its OSI-approved license fits your requirements.
- Choose PostgreSQL if your team will manage hosting and operations.
- Choose PostgreSQL if official docs and community resources suit your workflow.
02Pricing at real usage
MariaDB Community Server is free. MariaDB Cloud's Foundation tier is listed at $0 per month; Power starts at $0.16/hour and PowerPlus at $0.21/hour. The Enterprise Platform, Platform Plus and Platform Ultimate plans require custom quotes. MariaDB Exa is listed for the paid Cloud and Platform plans. Annual-billing prices for Cloud are not published, and the quote-based plans have no published starting price. For a continuously running Cloud database, hourly rates accrue with runtime, but the listed rates do not establish a workload-specific monthly total. PostgreSQL is free of charge, has no paid plans listed and has no published seat or usage limits. Teams supply its hosting and operational work. Compare MariaDB's optional Cloud bill with PostgreSQL's infrastructure and operations costs; the server price alone does not give the total cost of production.
03API, SDKs and integration
MariaDB identifies MariaDB Connector/Node.js and announces releases of that connector. That gives Node.js teams a named integration path; the homepage does not describe its API semantics or enumerate other language SDKs. For server extensions, MariaDB links to Doxygen documentation for the MariaDB Server Plugin API. Its installation options include packages, containers, Kubernetes, source builds, Windows installs and brew on macOS, giving platform teams several ways to deploy the server.
PostgreSQL's homepage points developers to official documentation for installing and using the database, along with community resources for learning and support. It does not list a specific SDK or integration. Neither homepage identifies a CLI or provides wire-protocol details for comparison. Before standardizing, check the relevant documentation for your application's driver, supported versions and deployment workflow. The published integration details favor MariaDB for a named Node.js connector; they do not establish broader language or tooling coverage.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Both are open-source database servers and can be self-hosted. MariaDB lists installation through packages, containers, Kubernetes, source builds, Windows installs and brew on macOS. PostgreSQL's review says teams supply hosting and operational work. Self-hosting gives teams responsibility for the infrastructure and its operation, including the work needed to run a production database.
PostgreSQL uses the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License. MariaDB's homepage describes its server as open source but does not name its license, so verify the applicable terms for the version and distribution you deploy. Neither homepage specifies data-export formats or migration guarantees. Plan migrations around your schema and application dependencies, and validate export and import paths before committing; the product pages do not establish how much migration work a particular system will require.
Questions people ask
Should developers choose MariaDB or PostgreSQL?
Choose MariaDB for its named Node.js connector, varied installation options or optional Cloud service. Choose PostgreSQL if its OSI-approved license, official documentation and community resources fit your team. Both are free, open-source database servers; hosting and operations affect the total cost.
Is PostgreSQL free to use?
Yes. PostgreSQL is listed as free of charge under the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License, with no published seat or usage limits and no paid plans. Teams still supply hosting and handle operational work.
Can you self-host MariaDB and PostgreSQL?
Yes. Both are self-hostable. MariaDB lists packages, containers, Kubernetes, source builds, Windows installs and brew on macOS as installation options. PostgreSQL teams supply their own hosting and operational work.
Does MariaDB have a managed Cloud option?
MariaDB lists Cloud Foundation at $0 per month, Power starting at $0.16/hour and PowerPlus at $0.21/hour. The Enterprise Platform plans require custom quotes. PostgreSQL has no paid plans listed; teams supply its hosting.