Database Performance Benchmark: PostgreSQL vs. MySQL vs. SQLite (2025 Edition)

0

To determine the fastest database among PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite, we analyze their performance across query execution, concurrency, memory usage, and disk I/O, based on recent benchmarks and expert insights. Below is a detailed comparison, including synthetic and real-world metrics, followed by summarized charts (text-based tables).

1. Query Performance 

| Metric              | PostgreSQL       | MySQL            | SQLite           |

|---------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|

| SELECT (1M rows)| ~120 ms          | ~100 ms          | ~80 ms           |

| INSERT (per sec)| 2,500–3,000      | 4,500–5,500      | 4,000–5,000      |

| UPDATE (per sec)| 2,000–2,500      | 3,000–3,500      | 3,000–3,500      |

| Complex Joins   | Best             | Moderate         | Limited          |

 

Key Takeaways:

- SQLite excels in simple read/write operations due to its lightweight design, achieving 80 ms SELECT latency and 5,000 inserts/sec .

- MySQL outperforms others in raw write speeds for transactional workloads (e.g., 5,500 inserts/sec) .

- PostgreSQL dominates complex queries (e.g., analytical joins) but lags in simple operations due to its ACID-compliant architecture .

 

---

 

2. Concurrency Handling 

| Scenario            | PostgreSQL       | MySQL            | SQLite           |

|---------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|

| Read-Heavy (50 threads) | Optimal (MVCC) | Good (Row Locking) | Good (Read-Uncommitted) |

| Write-Heavy (100 threads) | Strong (No Lock Contention) | Moderate (Table Locking) | Poor (Database-Level Locking) |

| Mixed Workloads | Best             | Good             | Limited          |

 

Key Takeaways:

- PostgreSQL uses Multi-Version Concurrency Control (MVCC) to handle 100+ concurrent writes without performance degradation .

- MySQL struggles with high write concurrency due to table-level locking, though its InnoDB engine improves row-level locking .

- SQLite allows only one write operation at a time, making it unsuitable for high-concurrency applications .

 

---

 

3. Memory & Disk Efficiency 

| Metric              | PostgreSQL       | MySQL            | SQLite           |

|---------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|

| Memory Usage (Heavy Load) | 1–2 GB         | 500 MB–1 GB      | 400–500 MB       |

| Disk I/O (Ops/sec) | 8,000–10,000  | 7,000–9,000      | 5,000–10,000     |

| Scalability     | Vertical/Horizontal | Vertical       | Single-File      |

 

Key Takeaways:

- SQLite has the smallest footprint (under 500 MB RAM) and efficient disk I/O, ideal for embedded systems .

- PostgreSQL consumes more memory (up to 2 GB) but handles large datasets and complex transactions efficiently .

- MySQL balances memory usage and disk performance, making it suitable for web applications .

 

---

 

4. Use Case Recommendations 

| Database            | Best For                                      | Avoid For                       |

|---------------------|-----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|

| PostgreSQL      | Complex queries, data integrity, OLTP/OLAP   | Simple apps, low-resource setups|

| MySQL           | Web apps, read-heavy workloads, scalability  | Full SQL compliance, heavy writes |

| SQLite          | Embedded/mobile apps, prototyping, testing   | High concurrency, large datasets|

 

---

 

5. Optimization Tips 

- SQLite: Use indexing (`CREATE INDEX`) and periodic `VACUUM` to reduce fragmentation .

- MySQL: Enable connection pooling and optimize `InnoDB` buffer pools for write-heavy loads .

- PostgreSQL: Tune `shared_buffers` and use `JSONB` for unstructured data .

 

---

 

### Summary Charts

Performance Overview

```plaintext

| Category         | Winner          | Runner-Up       | Third           |

|------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|

| Simple Queries   | SQLite          | MySQL           | PostgreSQL      |

| Complex Queries  | PostgreSQL      | MySQL           | SQLite          |

| Concurrency      | PostgreSQL      | MySQL           | SQLite          |

| Memory Efficiency| SQLite          | MySQL           | PostgreSQL      |

| Write Speed      | MySQL           | SQLite          | PostgreSQL      |

```

 

Benchmark Scores (1–10 Scale)

```plaintext

| Metric           | PostgreSQL | MySQL | SQLite |

|------------------|------------|-------|--------|

| Speed (Simple)   | 6          | 8     | 9      |

| Speed (Complex)  | 9          | 7     | 4      |

| Concurrency      | 9          | 7     | 3      |

| Scalability      | 8          | 7     | 2      |

```

 

---

 

### Final Verdict

- Fastest for Simple Operations: SQLite (embedded/mobile apps) .

- Fastest for Web Apps: MySQL (high read/write throughput) .

- Fastest for Complex Workloads: PostgreSQL (enterprise-grade analytics) .

 

For detailed benchmarks, refer to [Toxigon’s 2025 SQLite Benchmarks](https://www.toxigon.com/sqlite-performance-benchmarks-2025-edition) and [PostgreSQL vs. MySQL Comparison](https://www.toxigon.com/postgresql-vs-mysql-a-comparison-of-features-and-performance).

 

Tags:

Post a Comment

0Comments

Post a Comment (0)