Advantages & Disadvantages of Using MongoDB (2025)

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MongoDB is a flexible and scalable NoSQL database. Many users know it for managing large datasets, scaling easily, and providing real-time analytics. It delivers a document-oriented model that makes it perfect to manage unstructured data.

However, it lacks strong ACID transaction support, can mainly lead to data duplication. Also, struggles with complicated joins, making it less suitable for certain use cases during 2025.

What is MongoDB?

MongoDB is the top open-source NoSQL database. It is document-oriented and made for handling large amounts of data.

MongoDB uses a document-based model to store data. This gives it more flexibility than standard SQL databases. MongoDB enables simpler data management and scalability while maintaining adaptability for unstructured datasets.

What are the Advantages of MongoDB

  1. Document-Oriented Data Model

The document-oriented data model stands out as a primary feature for MongoDB. MongoDB uses BSON (Binary JSON) for data storage instead of the row and column structure found in traditional SQL databases, including SQL Server. This structure enables complex data relationships while allowing flexible storage options.

Contrasting to relational databases, where changes to data structures could be cumbersome. Well, MongoDB permits for easy adjustments as the application mainly grows.

This document-based approach mainly allows MongoDB to handle different types of data like arrays, images or texts, all stored together when it comes to one document, which streamlines data model and improves performance.

  1. Horizontal Scalability

MongoDB provides horizontal scalability, which is vital to handle evolving applications. Yes, horizontal scaling refers to adding a number of servers to handle an increasing workload.

MongoDB’s capability to distribute data across various servers that it can manage large datasets and process large volumes of data effectively. On the whole, as an outcome, businesses could scale the data architecture easily without encountering blocks.

The ability to scale horizontally permits MongoDB to offer high performance even when dealing with complicated queries or huge numbers of users, making it perfect for modern applications that demand regular scaling.

  1. Flexibility in Data Structure

The dynamic schema approach of MongoDB offers developers flexibility in data structure management. Developers can alter the data structure without affecting the whole database. Because MongoDB does not enforce a fixed schema like relational databases do.

Agile development benefits from this flexibility which is essential for projects requiring quick iteration cycles and handling frequently changing data.

MongoDB’s data structures exhibit superior flexibility compared to other systems. MongoDB allows you to store different kinds of data including strings, arrays, and objects. The system excels at processing unstructured data including social media posts, product descriptions, and real-time sensor information.

  1. Support for Ad-Hoc Queries

The advanced query language of MongoDB enables users to perform ad hoc queries. You can build dynamic complex queries to fetch data as needed without sticking to a predefined query pattern. MongoDB becomes an essential tool for applications that demand the ability to access data in a dynamic and flexible manner.

Businesses benefit from real-time query execution.  Because it allows them to obtain fast data insights which creates an advantage in industries that depend on real-time analytics.

  1. Real-Time Analytics

Businesses are finding real-time analytics to be crucial in our current data-centric world. MongoDB provides real-time data processing capabilities that support businesses which require continuous data monitoring and analysis as it comes in.

MongoDB allows businesses to process data at high speeds for tasks such as online transactions and social media analytics as well as monitoring systems. Organizations gain the ability to accelerate data-driven decision-making processes which enhances application responsiveness.

  1. High Performance

MongoDB provides high performance for reading and writing data. The optimized architecture of MongoDB enables swift data retrieval which is vital for applications that require high-speed performance.

MongoDB’s design for scalability and speed allows it to maintain performance levels despite growing data sizes. MongoDB delivers stable performance for complex data structures and extensive datasets without any degradation from complexity.

  1. MongoDB Atlas

The managed cloud service MongoDB Atlas manages MongoDB databases by handling all the intensive database management tasks. Atlas automates tasks like backup, patching, and scaling. This allows developers to focus more on development and less on database maintenance.

The managed environment ensures seamless MongoDB operation with minimal oversight. It’s ideal for businesses that want to focus on innovation rather than maintenance.

MongoDB Atlas includes built-in security features which encompass encryption methods, access management tools and advanced monitoring capabilities to protect data integrity.

Pros & Cons

Disadvantages of MongoDB

MongoDB provides multiple benefits but you must consider its drawbacks before choosing to implement it. We need to explore the primary challenges associated with MongoDB usage.

  1. Lack of ACID Transactions (Until Recent Updates)

In traditional SQL databases, ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) properties ensure that transactions are processed reliably. Prior versions of MongoDB failed to offer multi-document ACID transaction support.

MongoDB now supports ACID compliance through recent updates but remains difficult to use for applications requiring strict multi-document consistency.

Businesses that depend on multiple-document transactions should exercise extra caution when structuring data in MongoDB to prevent inconsistencies. MongoDB’s eventual consistency model proves to be suitable for many types of applications.

  1. Limited Joins

MongoDB’s document based model does not support complex joins across collections as SQL databases can achieve with multiple table joins. MongoDB provides basic $lookup features for joining collections but these capabilities fall short of the comprehensive power and adaptability found in SQL joins.

MongoDB is not ideal for applications that need to perform complex joins regularly. Developers need to redesign their data models to reduce join requirements because these joins create data duplication and complexity.

  1. Data Duplication

MongoDB’s document oriented design results in higher instances of data duplication than traditional SQL databases. MongoDB minimizes joins by storing related data within the same document but this approach often results in data redundancy.

Data duplication demands additional storage capabilities and necessitates more frequent document updates. Large datasets in businesses face significant challenges from data duplication unless they implement effective management strategies. Effective data model design prevents needless data duplication.

  1. Complexity in Data Modeling

The process of data modeling in MongoDB presents greater complexity compared to relational databases. The dynamic schema nature of MongoDB makes it simple to lose control over data consistency and structure.

The flexible nature of MongoDB can cause challenges in maintaining a uniform data structure throughout different teams and systems in big applications.

The increasing volume of data creates greater challenges for MongoDB users who manage large datasets. Organizing data properly for quick querying and retrieval calls for specialized knowledge and careful preparation.

  1. Indexing Challenges

Although MongoDB presents robust indexing capabilities, maintaining large-scale indexes across vast datasets presents significant management challenges. Performance declines when indexes are used incorrectly or become too heavily relied upon.

MongoDB provides multiple index options which require careful application to ensure performance optimization. Applications handling large and dynamic datasets require thoughtful indexing strategies to prevent performance degradation.

  1. Limited Reporting Capabilities

SQL databases surpass MongoDB when it comes to producing advanced analytics and reporting functionalities. MongoDB excels at managing large datasets and performing real-time analytics.

But requires additional software or system integration capabilities to achieve advanced reporting functions and data aggregation.Companies requiring extensive reporting capabilities may need to enhance MongoDB with additional technologies.

MongoDB’s Impact on Modern Data Management

MongoDB delivers a database solution which excels through its flexible structure and its capacity to perform at high levels while scaling effectively. The combination of efficient large-scale data management and real-time analytics support makes MongoDB an ideal database solution for contemporary applications.

The document-oriented model and horizontal scalability make MongoDB an optimal choice for enterprises. These features enable rapid development processes and flexible solutions.

Despite its strengths MongoDB presents several issues such as the absence of advanced ACID transaction support and limited join capabilities together with complex data modeling requirements. Businesses must conduct a thorough evaluation of their needs before choosing MongoDB as their main database system.

For developers building cutting-edge applications that need flexibility and high performance while scaling horizontally MongoDB provides essential features for achieving success.

RalanTech specializes in understanding modern data management needs and supports businesses to find their ideal database systems.

Our experts at RalanTech excel at developing scalable architectures that manage large datasets and handle ad hoc queries with efficiency. Begin your journey today with MongoDB to revolutionize how you handle data management.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are the main advantages of using MongoDB?

MongoDB offers flexible document-based data modeling with horizontal scalability which supports large datasets while enabling real-time analytics and easy data structure adjustments which suits modern fast-changing applications.

  1. How does MongoDB handle scalability and performance?

MongoDB manages large amounts of data and high traffic volumes through horizontal scaling by spreading its datasets across multiple servers. The system delivers optimized performance for both read and write operations which guarantees speedy data retrieval.

  1. Does MongoDB support ACID transactions?

Multi-document ACID transactions have been introduced in MongoDB’s latest updates yet its system maintains eventual consistency that falls short for applications needing absolute consistency.

  1. What are the challenges of using MongoDB?

MongoDB lacks advanced join support, which can lead to data duplication. It also faces challenges in data modeling, indexing, and reporting, requiring careful planning and expertise to optimize.

 

Conclusion

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About RalanTech

RalanTech is specialized in database managed services. We are passionate about leveraging cutting-edge solutions to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth for our clients.

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