PostgreSQL: Advantages and Disadvantages in 2025

What Are the Advantages of PostgreSQL

1. Open-Source and Cost-Effective

As a fully open-source database solution it offers free usage. This enables individuals and businesses of every scale to utilize it without spending money on licensing fees.
Developers and businesses can use this technology to build applications at no cost. Yes, it differs from proprietary database systems such as Oracle or SQL Server which require payment.
This database is open-source. This means it has a dedicated developer community. They keep it updated with new features and security improvements.
This is a free database system that helps businesses manage and store data. It avoids the high costs of commercial database solutions.
It helps businesses enjoy scalable performance. This avoids hidden costs and strengthens its role as a main database management system.

2. Advanced SQL Compliance
It delivers complete ACID compliance which maintains transaction reliability. The system enables complex queries, joins and subqueries while staying close to SQL standards.
Applications that require both data integrity and complex data relationships find it to be a dependable option. It includes numerous advanced SQL features such as window functions, foreign key constraints and triggers. This allows developers to build sophisticated and dependable database applications.
By strictly following SQL standards, this database system integrates seamlessly with other SQL environments and delivers reliable performance necessary for businesses managing transactional data.
The advanced capabilities of its query language empower it to manage complex queries effectively which makes it suitable for enterprise-level applications.

3. JSON and NoSQL Capabilities
The database system provides support for JSON and JSONB data types which allow developers to store and perform queries on unstructured data. Developers can now work with semi-structured data seamlessly between relational and NoSQL databases using this feature.
The JSONB format enables rapid querying and indexing of JSON data so applications that process large amounts of unstructured or semi-structured data find it suitable. Its NoSQL features provide key-value storage options.
This makes it an adaptable database solution for applications needing both relational and NoSQL functionalities.
It meets modern application needs by supports JSON for managing real-time sensor data, social media feeds, and product catalogs. This allows it to preserve relational database structure and integrity while handling unstructured data.
Businesses can benefit from both relational consistency and NoSQL flexibility through this adaptable system.

4. Horizontal Scalability

It enables horizontal scaling through streaming replication and logical replication which helps manage heavier workloads while maintaining high system availability. Its feature set meets the demands of applications that need to scale and maintain uptime through fault tolerance.
The partitioning feature lets administrators split massive datasets into smaller segments which boosts scalability. By distributing data across multiple servers businesses achieve better performance and stronger fault tolerance.
Its horizontal scalability feature enables workload distribution across multiple nodes to lessen the load on individual servers. It proves to be an excellent database option for current applications because it can handle massive data loads and traffic while preserving its performance as the system expands.
The horizontal scaling feature enables businesses to manage their growing number of users and data requirements effectively.

5. Foreign Data Wrappers (FDWs)

It uses Foreign Data Wrappers (FDWs) to connect to external databases and flat files and enables access to them as though they were local tables. The feature streamlines data integration and interoperability through its ability to grant uninterrupted access to several data sources.
FDW support encompasses a broad array of data systems which includes NoSQL databases, cloud storage solutions and remote file systems. Businesses can integrate data from various sources into one database which simplifies analytics and reporting tasks without requiring intricate data migration processes.
FDWs allow businesses to connect with both Google Cloud SQL and existing enterprise system which is perfect for settings where data exists across different locations and formats.
Its capability to establish connections with external data sources allows applications to access diverse data types in real time which makes it a scalable and versatile solution.

6. Robust Security Features

Through its SSL encryption capabilities alongside row-level security and precise access controls it provides reliable data protection while maintaining data integrity.
These features protect sensitive information while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. It features authentication mechanisms including LDAP and SCRAM-SHA-256 which enable certificate-based authentication so businesses can connect with their established security systems.
The database system provides detailed user permission controls to guarantee that only authorized personnel can access or alter particular data.
It offers advanced security features such as audit logging and data encryption at rest which enable it to fulfill strict security needs in financial services, healthcare, and government sectors.
Enterprises looking for secure and reliable database solutions find it to be a trusted choice thanks to its built-in security tools.

Disadvantages of PostgreSQL

1. Complex Setup and Maintenance

New users may find installing and maintaining it difficult because it requires complex configuration and monitoring. A correct setup is crucial for achieving optimal operation while new database administrators may face a challenging learning curve.
It demands constant monitoring and tuning to maintain its efficiency with growing workloads. Database backups require regular management and specific workload configurations demand expertise which makes query optimization a time-intensive process.
Database administrators need to evaluate replication, partitioning and indexing methods for large-scale deployments because these elements increase setup and maintenance complexity.
Powerful features in the system require businesses to hire skilled staff or seek external support to maintain smooth system performance and achieve desired outcomes.

2. Limited Built-in Horizontal Scaling

The system needs extra configurations and tools like Citus or pgpool to enable effective horizontal scaling. The implementation of this system increases deployment and management complexity.
It can only perform horizontal scaling to a limited extent without extra tools which creates difficulties when scaling databases for extensive applications and environments with high traffic.
A distributed setup demands precise data partitioning and replication strategy planning to maintain uniform performance and node reliability. The layered complexity creates elevated maintenance expenses and necessitates specialized knowledge for effective configuration and management.
Organizations wanting ready-to-use horizontal scaling solutions may find it demands more effort than NoSQL databases which provide built-in automatic sharding and scaling functions.

3. Performance Overhead
The extensive set of features can cause higher latency in read-heavy applications compared to databases like MySQL. In situations that require rapid processing speed the performance might be affected.
Advanced features including ACID compliance and complex query support add inherent overhead that reduces performance during specific operational scenarios. These features deliver great benefits to applications that require consistent data and complex transactions but prove unnecessary for basic read-heavy tasks.
Its multitude of features introduces additional overhead that slows down query performance for low-latency applications when handling large datasets or substantial read request volumes.
Businesses must adopt performance improvements like caching and query indexing to address performance challenges but this approach adds complexity and maintenance burdens.

4. Limited NoSQL Features

It provides JSON support but fails to deliver the complete NoSQLdatabase functionality including automatic sharding and schema-less design which MongoDB and similar databases offer. Its functionality may be insufficient for specific applications that demand comprehensive NoSQL features.
The system can manage semi-structured data through its JSON and JSONB support but it does not include advanced NoSQL features such as horizontal scaling and automatic scaling which require minimal setup.
NoSQL databases such as MongoDB offer seamless distribution across clusters which make them ideal for applications needing dynamic schema changes and high scalability with large amounts of unstructured data.
Its rigid schema requirements become restrictive for fast-changing projects that need dynamic data structure modifications without predefined schemas which are common features of NoSQL databases. Organizations pursuing comprehensive NoSQL features will need supplementary systems or tools to enhance what it offers.

Use Cases in Modern Applications

●Data Warehousing: Storing and analyzing large datasets.

●Geospatial Applications: Utilizing the PostGIS extension for spatial data.

●Web Applications: Dynamic websites rely on this database solution and scalable PostgreSQL service for backend operations.

Why PostgreSQL Continues to Stand Out

In 2025 developers and enterprises continue to select it as their top database option because of its superior features and scalability combined with its advanced open-source framework.
The setup and maintenance challenges it presents are outweighed by its numerous benefits which make it an attractive choice for multiple application scenarios. Our team at Ralantech supports you during your evaluation process for your next project.
Our expert team will assist you in using its powerful key features to build applications that scale well and deliver high performance. Our team specializes in creating tailored database solutions that meet your business needs, so contact us today.