Which database should you actually use?
Postgres, MySQL, MongoDB, SQLite, CockroachDB, PlanetScale — the options are overwhelming. We evaluate them against your real constraints.
Why this decision matters
Your database is the hardest thing to change later. It shapes your data model, query patterns, scaling strategy, and operational burden for years. A bad pick costs months of migration work — a good pick gives you a foundation you never have to think about.
What we evaluate
We look at query flexibility, scaling model (vertical vs horizontal), managed hosting options, ecosystem maturity, pricing at scale, and developer experience. We also consider your team size, compliance needs, and whether you need real-time capabilities.
Common mistakes
Choosing MongoDB because "it's flexible" when your data is actually relational. Choosing Postgres because "it does everything" when a simpler option would suffice. Picking a managed service before understanding the lock-in. We help you avoid all of these.
Get a personalized recommendation
Tell us about your project — team size, existing stack, specific requirements — and we'll determine the right fit in under a minute.
Start the Navigator →Common questions we answer:
Other Decision Guides
Best Auth Solution for Your App
Auth0, Clerk, Firebase Auth, Supabase Auth, NextAuth.js — each makes different tradeoffs between flexibility, cost, and developer experience.
Best Vector Database for AI Apps
Pinecone, Weaviate, Qdrant, Chroma, Milvus, pgvector — the vector database landscape is moving fast. We help you pick the right one.
Best Hosting Platform for Your App
Vercel, Netlify, Railway, Render, Fly.io, AWS — hosting is more than just "put it on a server." We match you to the right platform.
Best Payment Solution for Your Business
Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, Paddle, PayPal — each takes a fundamentally different approach to handling money. We help you choose.