DB-Engines names PostgreSQL 2023 database management system of the year

PostgreSQL rockets past rivals to claim the title of 2023 database management system (DBMS) of the year from DB-Engines, marking its fourth win, thanks to popularity growth among developers and IT companies.

DB-Engines has named PostgreSQL the "2023 database management system (DBMS) of the year," citing its remarkable surge in popularity that it outperformed all 417 other monitored systems over the past year. This surge in popularity is music to the Tech Educators teams ears, who introduced PostgreSQL to the course given it's implementation into organisations and employability outcomes of understanding and utilising the framework.

To determine the DBMS of the year, DB-Engines subtracted January 2023's popularity scores from the latest figures in January 2024. This method avoids favouring less popular systems at the start of the year, unlike using percentages.

With this newest award under its belt, PostgreSQL has claimed the DBMS of the Year title four times, adding to its three previous wins between 2017 and 2020.

DB-Engines also creates a ranking based on each system's rise in online conversations and mentions. This includes job postings, professional profiles, and web citations. The rankings highlight which systems see the most significant growth in community discussions and professional presence throughout the year. PostgreSQL placed fourth in DB-Engines' ranking for 2023, trailing behind Oracle, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server.

PostgreSQL's recent recognition as the DBMS of the Year builds on its growing popularity within the developer community. A major Stack Overflow survey conducted in June 2023 revealed that PostgreSQL was the most preferred database engine among professionals, accounting for 50 percent of all respondents.

Get to know PostgreSQL

Understanding PostgreSQL's rising popularity requires a closer look at the technology itself. At its core, PostgreSQL is an advanced, open-source relational database system geared towards enterprise applications. It stands out for its dual support of SQL and JSON querying, making it versatile for a range of web, mobile, and analytics workloads.

Born in 1986 at Berkeley's Computer Science Department, PostgreSQL, initially known as POSTGRES, sought to revolutionise database technology by supporting diverse data types with minimal feature bloat. It embraced SQL in 1996, earning its current name, and today enjoys widespread adoption under the familiar abbreviation "Postgres."

Despite its decades-long existence, PostgreSQL continues to release a consistent stream of updates. According to DB-Engines, this allows PostgreSQL to stay at the forefront of database technology while maintaining its reputation for reliability and stability.

PostgreSQL seamlessly integrates with a vast array of programming languages, including Python, Java, C#, C/C++, JavaScript (Node.js), and more. Some of its advanced features include user-defined types, table inheritance, foreign key referential mechanisms, and nested transactions (savepoints).

Its latest iteration, version 16, was released in September 2023. The version came with refined performance and functionality. Several new robust features were added, including native support for Microsoft Windows Server, tablespaces, and point-in-time recovery.

Adoptions across companies

PostgreSQL's compatibility and robust features have led to its adoption by industry giants like Apple, Fujitsu, Red Hat, Cisco, Juniper Networks, Netflix, and even Instagram, who have built products and solutions upon its foundation.

According to StackShare, there are around 6425 companies that reportedly use PostgreSQL in their tech stacks. Around 11.9 percent of companies with net revenues exceeding $200 million have chosen to integrate PostgreSQL into their systems.

Most sectors within the software and IT solutions industry widely adopt PostgreSQL, with a significant presence in Computer Software (over 20.9 percent), Information Technology and Services (approximately 46 percent), and the Staffing and Recruiting sector, holding a 17 percent market share.

Major players like Amazon and Microsoft, in particular, are making significant investments in their cloud services, which are built around PostgreSQL databases.

The system serves as a robust backend in the LAPP (Linux, Apache, PostgreSQL, PHP/Python/Perl) stack, powering dynamic websites and applications, including e-commerce platforms and content management systems.

From startups to large corporations, PostgreSQL thrives as the central database for mission-critical applications and products. Its ACID compliance ensures data integrity during transactions, making it ideal for financial services, inventory management, and other data-intensive operations.

Many developers also utilise the system with the PostGIS extension, transforming it into a powerful platform for geographic information systems (GIS). This allows users to manage, analyse, and visualise spatial data, making it ideal for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and emergency response.

Job prospects for developers

The job prospects for someone with expertise in PostgreSQL are quite promising. There is a demand for PostgreSQL developers, database developers, database engineers, database administrators (DBAs), and data engineers.

According to ZipRecruiter data, a career in PostgreSQL development offers promising pay. US PostgreSQL developers earn an average hourly rate of $59.26, with a range spanning from $24.04 to $86.06.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the average annual salary for a PostgreSQL DBA is £52,500, translating to an hourly rate of £26.92. Entry-level positions typically start around £45,000, while experienced professionals can command salaries as high as £82,500.

The significant spread between the lowest and the highest pay indicates a strong potential for career advancement and salary growth based on factors like skill level, location, and experience.

Looking to propel your career with PostgreSQL? Consider enrolling in a bootcamp with PostgreSQL at the core of its tech stack. These intensive courses offer several advantages for aspiring and established developers, especially when paired with proper coding bootcamp prep.

In a coding bootcamp academy, experienced instructors guide you through a comprehensive curriculum, covering essential PostgreSQL concepts and practical applications. They also prioritise hands-on exercises and projects, providing valuable experience in building and managing real-world PostgreSQL databases.

About the Author

James has 8 years with Fortune 200 US firm ITW, experience of managing projects in China, USA, and throughout Europe. James has worked with companies such as Tesco, Vauxhall, ITW, Serco, McDonalds. James has experience in supporting start-up and scale up companies such as Readingmate, Gorilla Juice and Harvest London. James completed his MBA at the University of East Anglia in 2018.