MariaDB and PostgreSQL are two of the most widely used open source relational databases in the world. Both power applications across industries, from small web apps to large enterprise systems. They’re both SQL-based, open source, and highly capable. But their design philosophies, feature sets, and long-term suitability for modern workloads differ in important ways.
This comparison matters because database choice has long-term consequences. Performance, scalability, extensibility, security, and licensing all affect how well a system can grow with your business. In this guide, you’ll learn how MariaDB and PostgreSQL differ, where they overlap, and how to choose the right database based on your workloads, especially when data reliability and enterprise readiness matter most.
What are the differences between MariaDB and PostgreSQL?
While both databases are relational and open source, they were built with different goals in mind. Understanding those foundations helps explain why PostgreSQL is increasingly favored for complex, data-intensive applications.
Origins and architecture
MariaDB was created as a community-driven fork of MySQL after concerns arose about MySQL’s acquisition by Oracle. Its primary goal was compatibility. MariaDB aimed to be a drop-in replacement for MySQL, preserving familiar syntax and behavior. This made it appealing for web applications and teams seeking minimal disruption.
By contrast, PostgreSQL has evolved independently over decades, with a strong focus on correctness, standards compliance, and extensibility. From early on, PostgreSQL emphasized atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability (ACID) compliance, transactional integrity, and support for complex data models. Its architecture treats the database as a platform rather than just a storage engine.
This difference is highlighted in how each system manages workloads. PostgreSQL is widely adopted when data is the most valuable part of the application and must support multiple demanding use cases at once, including transactional processing, analytics, geospatial queries, and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) workloads. MariaDB is more commonly used where simplicity is the priority, such as in websites or applications with straightforward data models.
Popularity trends reflect this shift. PostgreSQL adoption continues to grow steadily across enterprises, while MariaDB usage has plateaued, especially for new, data-intensive projects.
Architecturally, MariaDB relies on a pluggable storage engine model, offering options such as InnoDB or MyRocks. PostgreSQL uses a single robust engine with a powerful extension application programming interface (API), allowing new capabilities to be added without fragmenting the core system. This makes PostgreSQL more consistent and extensible over time.
Feature set and extensibility
PostgreSQL’s extensibility is one of its defining strengths. Developers can add custom data types, operators, index methods, and functions directly into the database engine. This flexibility enables advanced capabilities, such as geospatial analysis (PostGIS), vector search for AI workloads (pgvector), and time-series optimization, all running inside the database.
MariaDB supports plugins and custom engines, but its extension ecosystem is more limited and less integrated. While engine flexibility can be useful, it also introduces complexity and uneven behavior across workloads.
For modern, data-heavy applications, especially analytics and AI/ML, PostgreSQL’s extension ecosystem is far more mature. This is one reason PostgreSQL is often chosen as the foundation for intelligent, data-driven platforms.
Performance and scalability
Both databases deliver powerful performance for common read and write operations. However, PostgreSQL excels as workloads grow more complex.
PostgreSQL supports parallel queries, advanced query planning, and fine-grained performance tuning. These features make a noticeable difference for analytics, reporting, and mixed workloads where multiple users and queries run concurrently.
High availability approaches also differ. PostgreSQL commonly uses streaming replication and logical replication, with mature tooling for failover and read scaling. MariaDB often relies on Galera Cluster and MaxScale for load balancing, a strategy that can work well but introduces operational complexity.
When it comes to horizontal scaling, PostgreSQL offers more native and enterprise-grade options. Technologies such as Citus and EnterpriseDB’s (EDB’s) distributed high-availability capabilities enable scale-out architectures that go beyond basic replication. This makes PostgreSQL better suited for large, growing datasets and global applications.
Security and compliance
Security is an area where PostgreSQL clearly stands out. PostgreSQL includes:
- Strong role-based access control
- Encryption support
- Advanced features such as row-level security (RLS)
- Fine-grained access policies directly in the database
- Support for detailed auditing and secure extension management
MariaDB offers solid baseline security with TLS/SSL, privilege grants, and optional encryption. However, it lacks some of PostgreSQL’s more advanced, built-in controls.
EDB Postgres AI (EDB PG AI) enhances PostgreSQL with an enterprise-grade security stack, including Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), auditing, and compliance features. This makes PostgreSQL a strong choice for regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government.
Licensing and governance
Licensing highlights another major difference. PostgreSQL uses the PostgreSQL License, a permissive open source license that allows use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions. This simplicity has encouraged widespread enterprise adoption and tooling support.
MariaDB uses a mix of licenses, including GPL and Business Source License (BSL), which introduces limitations around commercial use. For some organizations, this creates uncertainty around long-term cost and vendor lock-in.
PostgreSQL’s open governance model and large contributor base have helped it attract a broad ecosystem of vendors and enterprise users. EDB plays a key role here by offering commercial support, tooling, and innovation without compromising PostgreSQL’s openness.
Developer ecosystem
Developers increasingly prefer PostgreSQL for modern application stacks. It integrates well with contemporary frameworks, supports advanced SQL features, and offers rich tooling through both CLI and GUI interfaces.
PostgreSQL is also a natural fit for AI and analytics workloads, thanks to extensions that support vector search, JSON, and complex data types. However, MariaDB remains an option for teams with strong MySQL backgrounds or legacy applications that prioritize compatibility over innovation.
Migration and adoption
PostgreSQL has seen a steady rise in enterprise migrations, often replacing legacy databases or MySQL-compatible systems. EDB PG AI supports these transitions with built-in migration tooling to simplify schema conversion, data movement, and testing.
MariaDB migrations are more commonly associated with MySQL holdover projects rather than new, greenfield deployments. For organizations starting fresh or modernizing, PostgreSQL is increasingly the preferred choice.
What are the similarities between MariaDB and PostgreSQL?
Despite their differences, both databases share important foundations, although PostgreSQL may be better suited for modern needs. Their similarities include:
Open source RDBMS foundations
MariaDB and PostgreSQL are open source, SQL-based relational databases that support ACID transactions, indexing, and replication. Engaged communities actively maintain both.
SQL and standards compliance
Both support core SQL features such as joins, triggers, and stored procedures. However, PostgreSQL is generally stricter about ANSI SQL compliance, while MariaDB emphasizes MySQL compatibility.
Cross-platform and language support
Each database works across major operating systems and integrates with popular programming languages such as Python, Java, and Node.js. Developers have access to a wide range of client libraries and tools, including CLI and GUI.
High-availability options
Both systems can be configured for high availability, though the architecture differs. PostgreSQL typically uses replication-based approaches, while MariaDB often relies on Galera clustering.
Use in web and enterprise apps
Both databases are widely used in LAMP and LEMP web stacks and enterprise environments. Additionally, both have community and commercial support available.
Switching between MariaDB and PostgreSQL: Feasibility and case studies
Switching databases is driven by evolving business needs. MariaDB works well for MySQL-compatible applications, but as data volumes grow and requirements become more complex, many organizations find PostgreSQL better suited to their long-term goals.
The most common driver for migration is increasing data complexity. As applications mature, teams often need stronger support for analytics, complex queries, semi-structured data, and AI or ML workloads. PostgreSQL was built to handle these mixed workloads on a single platform, without sacrificing reliability.
Organizations often migrate when:
- Reporting and analytics workloads begin to strain transactional performance.
- Security and compliance requirements become more stringent.
- Applications require advanced data types, indexing strategies, or extensibility.
- Teams want to consolidate OLTP, analytics, and AI workloads into one database.
Licensing and governance also play a role. PostgreSQL’s permissive license and broad ecosystem reduce long-term risk and make it easier for enterprises to standardize on a single database platform.
Industry adoption and use cases
PostgreSQL is widely adopted in industries for which data reliability and auditability matter most, including:
- Government
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Analytics-driven organizations
Its ability to support advanced querying, extensions, and strict compliance requirements makes it a strong fit for mission-critical systems. In contrast, MariaDB is more commonly retained in legacy environments or simpler applications in which MySQL compatibility is essential, and the data model is unlikely to evolve significantly.
Migration feasibility and tooling
Migrating from MariaDB to PostgreSQL requires planning. Companies must address differences in SQL dialects, indexing behavior, stored procedures, and data types. Without the right tooling, this can slow projects or introduce risk.
EDB simplifies this process with migration tools and the EDB Migration Portal, which helps tools assess compatibility, automate object conversion, validate data, and minimize downtime. This turns migration into a structured, repeatable process rather than a one-off effort.
New projects vs. existing deployments
For new applications, PostgreSQL is often the better starting point because it scales easily from simple workloads to advanced analytics and AI use cases. Teams avoid future replatforming as requirements grow.
For existing MariaDB systems, the decision depends on the roadmap. Stable, straightforward applications may remain on MariaDB, but organizations planning for growth, global scale, or data-driven initiatives find PostgreSQL to be the more future-ready choice. This is especially true with EDB supporting migration, optimization, and enterprise deployment.
Your next move with open source databases
Choosing between MariaDB and PostgreSQL comes down to priorities. If simplicity and MySQL compatibility are paramount, MariaDB may suffice. But if your application depends on data accuracy, advanced analytics, security, and future-ready architecture, PostgreSQL is the stronger foundation.
EDB helps organizations deploy, migrate, and scale PostgreSQL with enterprise-grade performance and support. Whether you’re modernizing an existing system or building something new, PostgreSQL backed by EDB provides a reliable path forward. Browse our resource section to learn more about our migration services and performance benchmarking.
PostgreSQL focuses on extensibility, standards, compliance, and advanced workloads. MariaDB emphasizes MySQL compatibility and simplicity. This makes PostgreSQL better suited for complex, data-critical applications.
PostgreSQL generally performs better than MariaDB for analytics due to parallel queries, advanced indexing, and a strong extension ecosystem.
Yes. Tools such as EDB’s Migration Portal help automate schema and data migration. This makes the transition more manageable.
PostgreSQL uses a permissive license with minimal restrictions. MariaDB uses mixed licensing models that may limit certain commercial uses.
Both PostgreSQL and MariaDB support high availability. However, PostgreSQL offers more flexible and enterprise-grade options for replication and scale-out architectures.
While PostgreSQL and MariaDB both use SQL as their standard language, they do not support the same SQL syntax. They each implement their own SQL dialect with specific features, functions, and data types.