Percona for PostgreSQL vs Other PostgreSQL Solutions
Flexibility, Support, Security, and Performance Comparison
Percona for PostgreSQL provides an enterprise-ready, fully open source alternative to PostgreSQL Community, EDB, and Crunchy Data. Get the features you need—without vendor lock-in, hidden costs, or restrictive licenses.
Deployment options
Percona for PostgreSQL
100% open source with no vendor lock-in. Offers maximum flexibility with on-premises and hybrid cloud deployments, plus both self-managed and fully managed options through Percona Everest.
PostgreSQL Community
Open source and free from vendor lock-in. Typically deployed as a self-managed solution. Also available through fully managed public cloud providers such as Cloud SQL, Amazon RDS, and Aiven.
EDB
Offers both proprietary EDB Postgres Advanced Server (EPAS) and support for community PostgreSQL. Provides deployment flexibility across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud (self-managed) environments, including via their open source CloudNativePG Kubernetes operator. Also offers a fully managed DBaaS platform (EDB BigAnimal). Licensing varies (commercial for EPAS/support, Apache 2.0 for operator).
Crunchy Data
Provides Crunchy Certified PostgreSQL (based on community PostgreSQL) with commercial support and tooling. Enables self-managed deployments across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments, notably via their widely used open source PostgreSQL Operator (PGO) for Kubernetes. Also offers a fully managed DBaaS platform (Crunchy Bridge). Core operator is open source; certified distribution/support is commercial.
Security features
Percona for PostgreSQL
Complete security package included at no extra cost: Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), pgAudit for compliance tracking, SSL/TLS encryption, and LDAP authentication. TDE is currently in release candidate status, with general availability expected in Q3 2025.
PostgreSQL Community
Basic security with SSL/TLS encryption and standard authentication. Does not include TDE for protecting data at rest.
EDB
TDE requires additional payment through EDB Postgres Advanced Server or EDB Postgres Extended Server licenses.
Crunchy Data
TDE is available in Crunchy Hardened PostgreSQL, but requires a paid license.
Backup and recovery
Percona for PostgreSQL
Advanced protection with pgBackRest, offering full point-in-time recovery and space-efficient incremental backups included at no extra cost.
PostgreSQL Community
Basic protection with pg_dump and pg_restore tools only. Missing critical point-in-time recovery and space-saving incremental backup capabilities.
EDB
Supports pgBackRest technology, but comprehensive backup management requires additional payment as part of their commercial packages.
Crunchy Data
Includes pgBackRest for backup and recovery operations, but lacks details on additional features or limitations.
Kubernetes operator
Percona for PostgreSQL
Fully open source with no restrictions. Complete feature set included: high availability, automated backups, scaling, and integrated observability through Percona Monitoring and Management. Safe, automated database upgrades reduce operational risk.
PostgreSQL Community
No official Kubernetes operator available. Database upgrades must be performed manually, increasing operational complexity and risk.
EDB (CloudNativePG)
Fully open source with no paywall for features, but commercial licenses apply if using EDB’s proprietary database or paid support.
Crunchy Data
Kubernetes operator available but with limited access - container images restricted under Developer Program terms.
StackGres
Open source option but uses AGPL 3 license, which may create legal complications requiring review.
Zalando
Open source operator available but lacks full automation - requires integration with additional tools for complete functionality.
KubeDB
Utilizes an open core model, providing a free Community Edition with basic features alongside a paid Enterprise Edition that includes advanced functionality. A free trial (30 days) is offered for the Enterprise features, requiring a paid license for continued use.
Performance and observability
Percona for PostgreSQL
Complete visibility with integrated Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) for query analytics, performance tracking, and health monitoring. Also includes high availability capabilities.
PostgreSQL Community
No built-in monitoring capabilities. Requires integration of separate third-party tools for basic visibility into database performance.
EDB
Limited built-in monitoring. Full visibility requires the additional purchase of Postgres Enterprise Manager through a paid subscription.
Crunchy Data
Basic monitoring through Prometheus Stack and pgMonitor. Complete feature set requires additional paid subscription.
Support and services
Percona for PostgreSQL
Comprehensive support ecosystem with 24/7 expert technical support, Global PostgreSQL community, and Percona Community access. Offers multi-database support including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, MariaDB, Valkey. Includes round-the-clock managed database services, performance consulting, and cross-database training.
PostgreSQL Community
Limited to Global PostgreSQL community support with no official vendor support. Single database focus on PostgreSQL only. All managed services, consulting, and training require third-party providers.
EDB
Combines Global PostgreSQL community support with paid vendor support restricted to EDB Postgres Advanced Server users. Limited database coverage (PostgreSQL and EDB forks only). Managed services available only through BigAnimal platform, with limited professional services and training options.
Crunchy Data
Offers Global PostgreSQL community support plus paid vendor support for Crunchy PostgreSQL customers only. Limited to PostgreSQL and Crunchy Data forks. Managed services restricted to Crunchy Bridge platform, training available only to subscribers, and no consulting services offered.
Cost and licensing flexibility
Percona for PostgreSQL
100% open source with zero vendor lock-in. No licensing fees for any features, with all enterprise capabilities included at no extra cost. Certified extensions and production enhancements built in as standard.
PostgreSQL Community
100% open source but requires significant investment to build production-ready environments. Hidden costs emerge from the need for multiple third-party integrations to achieve enterprise functionality.
EDB
Proprietary software model with upfront licensing costs. Essential enterprise features like TDE require additional paid subscriptions, with advanced management tools available only in premium tiers.
Crunchy Data
Base offering requires supplemental paid subscriptions for advanced enterprise features. Security tools, observability capabilities, and high availability options are only available in commercial versions at additional cost.
Switch to Percona for PostgreSQL
While other PostgreSQL vendors claim to be open source but hide essential features behind costly licenses, Percona truly delivers on the open source promise: no hidden costs, no vendor lock-in, and no unwelcome surprises.
- Complete enterprise solution: Production-ready PostgreSQL that's 100% open source
- Maximum deployment freedom: Run your database anywhere—on-premises, hybrid, or across multiple clouds
- Enterprise-grade security: Get industry-leading protection with zero additional costs
- Expert support when you need it: Access 24/7 professional help without getting locked into a single vendor