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).