Databases are where "just try both free tiers" stops working — the real cost is operational: migrations, schema decisions and scalability you only notice months in. This page is our hub for every database / data-store comparison we've actually run. Below the grid we lay out the decision framework so you can pick a direction before opening the head-to-head pages.
How to choose: the framework we use
Nearly every database dilemma in our inbox comes down to four questions:
- Is your data relational or document-shaped? Structured, consistent records with joins and transactions → PostgreSQL or MySQL. Flexible, evolving, JSON-like documents → MongoDB. Most teams overestimate how "flexible" they really are.
- Do you need a managed backend or raw DB control? Supabase and Firebase are Backend-as-a-Service: auth + database + realtime out of the box. PostgreSQL/MySQL/MongoDB are engines you host (or buy managed separately). If you don't want to assemble auth yourself, start with the BaaS pages.
- Is this a tool for people or for software? Airtable and NocoDB are "spreadsheets that act like databases" — built for non-developers and small teams managing operational data, not high-scale application backends. Choose them for human-facing data, the relational engines for code.
- Open source vs managed lock-in? Postgres, MySQL, MongoDB, NocoDB and Supabase all offer open-source paths. Firebase is proprietary. We weigh exit costs in every verdict.
Every comparison below applies this framework with our hands-on notes. Match your data shape and team first, then read the closest head-to-head.
Our database & data comparisons (2026)
PostgreSQL vs MySQL
The classic open-source relational showdown. For most new projects our pick is Postgres — read why. Start here.
MongoDB vs PostgreSQL
Document vs relational. We test where MongoDB's flexibility genuinely pays off and where it just adds complexity.
Supabase vs Firebase
Open-source Postgres backend (Supabase) vs Google's managed platform (Firebase). The biggest modern BaaS decision.
Airtable vs NocoDB
Spreadsheet-databases for non-developers: managed (Airtable) vs self-hosted open source (NocoDB). We test both models.
Quick recommendations
Best default database: PostgreSQL — the most capable open-source engine for most new projects.
Best if you want schema-light documents: MongoDB — when your data shape changes constantly.
Best managed backend for apps: Supabase for open-source, Postgres-based; Firebase where Google's ecosystem and scaling suit you.
Best for non-developer teams: Airtable (managed) or NocoDB (self-hosted) — spreadsheet UX with database power.