PostgreSQL vs Oracle

While looking at PostgreSQL and Oracle database management systems, the major point that differentiates both of these two databases is that Oracle is a closed database system that means the source code is not publicly available and is held by some organization or company managing that particular software, while PostgreSQL is an open-source database.

PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database system based on SQL language combined with many new features that are capable of storing and scaling complicated workloads securely and efficiently whereas Oracle is a commercially licensed relational database management software under the management of Oracle Corporation.

Various concepts like tablespaces, indices, and schemas are very similar in both databases, but they diverge in some fields like replication of the data stored and support provided by them.

Points of difference between PostgreSQL and Oracle Databases:

Factor or Aspect PostgreSQL Database Oracle Database
Definition PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database system based on SQL language combined with many new features that are capable of storing and scaling complicated workloads securely and efficiently. Oracle Database is a licensed or commercial relational database management system. The secondary database models like the document store, RDF store, graph DBMS, and key-value store are supported by the Oracle Database.
Developers or Management PostgreSQL is managed by PostgreSQL Global Development Group. Oracle is developed and managed by Oracle Corporation.
Type of Software PostgreSQL is an Open-source software that means the source code of the PostgreSQL database is freely available, Oracle is a closed source software licensed by Oracle corporation.
Date of Initial Release PostgreSQL was initially released in 1996.PostgreSQL was initially released in 1996. Oracle was released in 1979.
Latest Stable Release The latest stable version is released on 13 May 2021. The latest stable version is released on 13 February 2019.
Latest Version The latest version is 13.3. The latest version is 21c, where c shows that this database is cloud-supported.
Scalability It provides the support for scalability for free of cost developments like cluster-based storage solutions, substitution from Skype allocating information in database collections depends on the PostgreSQL. In oracle for scalability, four sockets with a standard edition are provided. However, a slightly expensive original version of the database needs to be purchased for the projects having a higher workload.
Features The major characteristics or features of PostgreSQL:
  • All the major features of SQL are supported by PostgreSQL.
  • PostgreSQL is highly extensible in nature.
  • PostgreSQL is very much compatible with Data Integrity.
  • Several programming languages are supported by PostgreSQL.
  • PostgreSQL can be downloaded freely.
  • PostgreSQL is compatible with secondary indexes.
  • The support of XML is also provided by PostgreSQL.
  • PostgreSQL is highly reliable.
  • PostgreSQL is compatible with all the major operating systems.
  • With the data scheme, there is consistency.
The essential features of an Oracle database are as follows:
  • Oracle is programmable, portable, distributed software, scalable.
  • A large amount of data can be handled quickly.
  • The reliability and integrity of our data are kept intact with the compatibility of the ACID property.
  • The logical database structure is also supported by the Oracle database.
  • With the help of networking stacks provided by Oracle databases, we can easily communicate applications through multiple platforms.
  • Recovery manager tools are also provided by the Oracle database.
Security The security support provided by PostgreSQL is excellent, but it is not that much advanced as provided by the Oracle database. The security support provided by Oracle is advanced as compare to PostgreSQL. But we need to buy an advanced version of the Oracle database that consists of the features that help to protect the data in the database.
Customer Support The customer support provided by PostgreSQL is free, but it is a time-consuming process because the problem is solved by the developer's community.
The paid service of PostgreSQL support can be bought, which is less expensive in comparison to Oracle Database customer support price.
While buying a licensed version of the Oracle database, nearly ¼ of the money charged is the cost of customer supported that will be provided by the company.
Updates Every 4-5 years a new version is released by the developer's group of PostgreSQL. Still, they always add new features and update the features according to the needs of the customer and the various developments in the market. In oracle, a new version is available within 2-3 years that will enhance the quality modification as per the market trends.