SQL vs. NoSQL vs. NewSQL

Options you can choose from:

SQL Databases

Store data in organized tables with a fixed, clearly defined structure. Guarantee that data is always accurate and operations are reliable. Examples: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB.

NoSQL Databases

Store data without a fixed structure, making it easier to handle changing or varied data formats. Scale well for large amounts of data. Examples: MongoDB, DynamoDB, Cassandra.

NewSQL Databases

Modern databases that use the familiar SQL language but are built to scale across many servers, similar to NoSQL. Examples: CockroachDB, TiDB, YugabyteDB.

Decision questions

Answer honestly based on the current status of the project and expected developments in the next 6-12 months.

1. What type of data dominates the system?

Structured records organized in tables — such as users, orders, or products A combination of structured and flexible data Highly flexible or unpredictable data

2. How important are transactions and data consistency?

Critical — for example, processing payments or placing orders where errors are unacceptable Important, but small inconsistencies are occasionally acceptable Not critical — it is acceptable if different parts of the system have slightly different data for a short time

3. Do you expect high growth in data or traffic?

No — the amount of data is predictable and unlikely to grow dramatically Yes — gradual and controlled growth is expected Yes — rapid and very large growth is expected

4. What is the team's experience with databases?

The team has strong experience with SQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) The team has experience with multiple types of databases The team mainly has experience with NoSQL or cloud-based databases

5. Where and how will your application be deployed?

Simple setup — a small application running on a single server Cloud-based — deployed to a cloud provider with automated scaling Distributed — data must be spread across multiple servers or locations

6. What is more important for the project?

Stability and predictability — the data structure is well-known and unlikely to change Flexibility — the data structure may change often and speed of development matters more Both — I need data reliability but also the ability to scale when needed

Result

Based on your answers, see the recommended solution below. 👇

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