Building another side project (who isn’t lol) and need to pick a database.
What I’m building: simple SaaS with users, posts, comments, basic analytics
My understanding:
- PostgreSQL – Most powerful, bit complex
- MySQL – Simpler, widely used
- SQLite – For small stuff, no setup
Currently leaning towards Supabase (PostgreSQL) but plain MySQL seems easier?
SQLite for prototypes, PostgreSQL for production!
Dev/Prototype: SQLite. No setup, instant, perfect for side projects. Prisma/Drizzle work great with it.
Production: PostgreSQL. More robust, handles concurrency better, better data integrity.
The cool thing is: start with SQLite, switch to PostgreSQL later (Supabase/Neon). Same syntax! 👍
MySQL is still solid for simple projects! 👋
Been using MySQL for years. It’s battle-tested, easy to find hosting, simple to understand.
For a simple SaaS with users/posts/comments – MySQL is MORE than enough. Don’t overengineer.
That said, if you want to learn something valuable long-term, go PostgreSQL. More jobs, more features, better foundation. 🚀
PostgreSQL all the way. Here’s why:
PostgreSQL – Most features, best performance, JSON support, row-level security. Free and open source. Used by everyone from startups to big tech.
MySQL – Simpler but less powerful. Good for simple read-heavy apps. MariaDB is the open-source alternative.
SQLite – Great for local dev, prototypes, small apps. No server needed!
For side projects: Start with Supabase (PostgreSQL). Easy setup, generous free tier, scales with you. 🔥