Heroku Postgres vs MariaDB: What are the differences?

Key Differences between Heroku Postgres and MariaDB

Heroku Postgres and MariaDB are both popular database management systems used for storing and retrieving data. However, there are several key differences that set them apart from each other.

1. Data Structure: Heroku Postgres uses a relational data model, meaning that data is organized into tables with predefined schemas, allowing for easier data manipulation and analysis. On the other hand, MariaDB follows a similar relational model but also supports NoSQL functionalities, allowing for more flexibility in data storage and retrieval.

2. Language Support: Heroku Postgres primarily uses SQL (Structured Query Language) for data querying and manipulation. It supports various SQL standards and provides a robust set of features for SQL-based operations. In contrast, MariaDB supports multiple query languages, including SQL and NoSQL languages like JSON, XML, and SphinxQL, providing more options for developers to work with.

3. Scalability: Heroku Postgres is designed to be fully managed, meaning that it automatically scales resources based on the database workload. This allows for seamless scaling and handling of high traffic. MariaDB also supports scaling through sharding and replication, but it requires manual configuration and management.

4. Hosting Environment: Heroku Postgres is a cloud-based database service provided by Heroku, making it easy to integrate with other Heroku services and deploy applications seamlessly. On the other hand, MariaDB is more flexible in terms of hosting environments. It can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid environment, depending on the specific needs and preferences of the organization.

5. Community Support and Ecosystem: Heroku Postgres benefits from the strong support and ecosystem of Heroku and the wider Salesforce organization. It has a large community of developers and provides a range of integration options with other Heroku services. MariaDB also has a vibrant community and an ecosystem of tools and plugins, making it suitable for a variety of use cases.

6. Licensing: Heroku Postgres is a proprietary offering from Heroku and is part of the Salesforce platform. It requires a subscription and may have usage limitations based on pricing tiers. On the other hand, MariaDB is an open-source database management system released under the GNU General Public License, allowing for free usage and modification.

In summary, Heroku Postgres and MariaDB differ in their data structure, language support, scalability options, hosting environments, community support, and licensing. These differences make them suitable for different use cases and require considerations of factors such as data model requirements, workload patterns, and deployment preferences.