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It's a split decision.
Choose PostgreSQL if you want a free, open-source database you can self-host under the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License. Choose MySQL if you need its mix of Community and paid editions, embedded-product licensing, or HeatWave’s cloud service for transactions and analytics. Both are open source and self-hostable, but MySQL’s paid editions are licensed per server, with annual prices tied to socket count. Check client-library compatibility and migration requirements against your application before committing.
01Side by side
| MySQL | PostgreSQL | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid editions licensed per server; annual prices vary by sockets | Free of charge; no paid plans |
| Free tier | Community Edition is free under GPL | Free open-source software |
| Open source and licence | Community Edition uses GPL | OSI-approved PostgreSQL License |
| Self-hosting | Yes; Community and paid editions | Yes; open-source database system |
| Integrations | HeatWave cloud choices; embedded ISV, OEM and VAR products | Homepage lists no named integrations |
| Deployment model | Self-hosted editions and HeatWave cloud service | Open-source database system; self-hostable |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Docs and developer resources | Early Access downloads, white papers and webinars | Official documentation and community learning resources |
MySQL Choose MySQL if
- Choose MySQL if you need HeatWave for transactions and lakehouse-scale analytics.
- Choose MySQL if you embed a database in an ISV, OEM or VAR product.
- Choose MySQL if you want paid editions with management tools and technical support.
PostgreSQL Choose PostgreSQL if
- Choose PostgreSQL if you want a free database with no paid plans.
- Choose PostgreSQL if the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License fits your requirements.
- Choose PostgreSQL if official documentation and community learning resources matter.
02Pricing at real usage
PostgreSQL is free of charge, with no paid plans; its pricing page lists no seat or usage limits. MySQL Community Edition is free under GPL. For paid MySQL, the pricing page lists annual per-server prices: Standard Edition costs $2,140 for 1–4 sockets or $4,280 for 5+ sockets. Enterprise Edition costs $5,350 for 1–4 sockets or $10,700 for 5+ sockets, and includes a 30-day trial. Cluster Carrier Grade Edition is listed at $10,700 per year for 1–4 sockets; the 5+ socket price is not published. MySQL costs therefore depend on edition, server count and socket class, not a published monthly usage rate. The listed annual prices are per server; monthly prices are not published. Classic Edition pricing is also not published.
03API, SDKs and integration
Both products are database systems that applications can use, but their homepages do not name API styles, SDKs, supported programming languages or CLI commands. Check client compatibility with your application stack before choosing.
MySQL’s site describes several product paths: Community Edition, paid Enterprise offerings, embedded licensing for ISVs, OEMs and VARs, and HeatWave. HeatWave combines transactions with lakehouse-scale analytics in a cloud service, and the site says apps can be deployed with a choice of cloud providers. MySQL also lists Early Access downloads, reference-architecture white papers and webinars.
PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database system. Its homepage points developers to official documentation for installing and using it, plus community resources for learning and participation. The site describes more than 35 years of active development. It does not list specific third-party integrations on the homepage, so confirm the drivers and tools your stack requires.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Both databases are open source and self-hostable. MySQL Community Edition is free under GPL; its paid editions add features, management tools and technical support, and HeatWave is offered as a cloud service. PostgreSQL is distributed under the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License, and its homepage presents the database system and community resources rather than a hosted database service.
The different MySQL editions and HeatWave create choices about where to run the database and which vendor services to adopt. PostgreSQL’s open-source project can be self-hosted. Neither homepage specifies a direct MySQL-to-PostgreSQL migration path or data-export format. Before switching, assess schema and query compatibility, application drivers and operational runbooks, and validate the export and restore process for your deployment.
Questions people ask
Is PostgreSQL free?
Yes. PostgreSQL is free-of-charge open-source software under the OSI-approved PostgreSQL License. The pricing page lists no paid plans and no published seat or usage limits. Hosting and operational work are separate responsibilities if you run it yourself.
Is MySQL free?
MySQL Community Edition is free under GPL. MySQL also sells Standard, Enterprise and Cluster editions with annual per-server prices that vary by socket count. Classic Edition is available through OEM or embedded licensing, but its price is not published.
Which database is better for cloud analytics?
MySQL has a specific cloud analytics offering: HeatWave combines transactions and lakehouse-scale analytics in a cloud service, with a choice of cloud providers for app deployment. PostgreSQL’s homepage describes reliability and performance, but does not present a comparable analytics service.
Can I self-host MySQL and PostgreSQL?
Yes. Both are listed as self-hostable. MySQL offers Community and paid editions, alongside its HeatWave cloud service. PostgreSQL is an open-source database system. With self-hosting, your team supplies the infrastructure and operational work.