PostgreSQL vs MySQL: Which Works Better with Laravel 12?

Why This Comparison Matters

Laravel 12 gives developers more flexibility than ever when it comes to building powerful, scalable applications. But your app is only as strong as the database it’s built on.

That’s where the big question comes in: PostgreSQL or MySQL?

Both are open-source relational databases supported by Laravel, and both have matured significantly. But choosing the right one for your Laravel project affects scalability, query performance, JSON handling, indexing, and future flexibility.

Not every Laravel project needs the same database muscle—this comparison helps you choose wisely.

Key Takeaways

• MySQL is faster for read-heavy, simple web apps
• PostgreSQL is more advanced for data modeling, indexing, and JSON
• Laravel supports both out-of-the-box with minimal configuration
• Your project’s architecture should guide your choice, not just popularity

Core Comparison: PostgreSQL vs MySQL in Laravel

Setup and Laravel Integration

Both databases integrate seamlessly with Laravel via native drivers.

• Use DB_CONNECTION=mysql or pgsql in .env
• Laravel migrations, Eloquent, and Query Builder work identically

Laravel Breeze, Jetstream, Nova, and Forge all support both engines equally.

Performance

Operation Type	MySQL	PostgreSQL
Simple Reads	✅ Faster	⚠️ Slightly Slower
Complex Joins	⚠️ Good	✅ Better
JSON Queries	⚠️ Basic	✅ Advanced
Indexing	✅ Strong	✅ Strong + More Types
Concurrency	⚠️ Basic	✅ Better for parallel queries

JSON & Data Flexibility

PostgreSQL shines with JSONB support, indexing nested keys, and partial indexes.

-- PostgreSQL JSONB example
SELECT * FROM users WHERE data->>'country' = 'Canada';

MySQL has JSON fields but limited indexing and transformation capabilities.

ACID Compliance & Transactions

PostgreSQL enforces stricter transactional integrity. It’s often preferred for banking, fintech, and compliance-heavy apps.

MySQL (InnoDB) handles ACID fairly well, but with minor edge-case inconsistencies.

Geospatial & Full-text Search

• PostgreSQL: Has PostGIS extension for full geospatial support
• MySQL: Supports full-text search, but not as flexible

Laravel Scout works well with both, but PostgreSQL is favored when building search-heavy platforms.

Community and Hosting Support

• MySQL is supported by almost every shared hosting provider
• PostgreSQL is increasingly supported by Laravel Forge, DigitalOcean, and AWS

Real Use Cases in Laravel Projects

App Type	Preferred DB	Why?
Blog / CMS	MySQL	Simpler schema, faster read ops
SaaS Dashboard	PostgreSQL	Complex queries, analytics
Marketplace	PostgreSQL	JSON, flexible product data
Portfolio / Static	MySQL	Lightweight, quick setup
Geo Mapping	PostgreSQL	PostGIS extension

Laravel Artisan and Migration Notes

Laravel uses the same migration syntax for both DBs, but be cautious:

• PostgreSQL requires types like uuid, jsonb, inet to be manually defined in migrations
• Indexes behave slightly differently. For example:

$table->jsonb('meta')->index(); // PostgreSQL

• UUID columns in PostgreSQL are faster and more native compared to MySQL

Maintenance and Debugging

• MySQL has simpler GUIs (e.g., phpMyAdmin, TablePlus, Sequel Ace)
• PostgreSQL has powerful CLI tools and GUI support (e.g., pgAdmin, DataGrip)

Logging, query analysis, and foreign key enforcement are more consistent in PostgreSQL, but MySQL wins for speed of entry-level debugging.

Developer Experience

Laravel developers report:

• PostgreSQL’s advanced features are underused unless explicitly needed
• MySQL remains familiar, quick to start, and “just works” for most Laravel apps

That said, PostgreSQL is growing in popularity among developers who work with APIs, search, or analytics-heavy features.

Summary Table: Which Database Wins Where?

Feature	MySQL	PostgreSQL
Speed (simple queries)	✅	⚠️
JSON support	⚠️ Basic	✅ Advanced
Schema flexibility	⚠️	✅
Geospatial	⚠️ Basic	✅ PostGIS
Community support	✅ Strong	✅ Growing
Laravel compatibility	✅ Full	✅ Full

FAQ

Can I switch from MySQL to PostgreSQL later? Yes, but you’ll need to export/import data, and review Laravel migrations for datatype conflicts.

Does Laravel favor one over the other? No. Laravel supports both equally.

Which is better for performance? For simple CRUD, MySQL is faster. For complex data structures and queries, PostgreSQL pulls ahead.

Is hosting PostgreSQL harder? No. Most modern providers (Laravel Forge, DigitalOcean, AWS) offer PostgreSQL one-click installs.

Helpful Resources

• Laravel Database Docs
• MySQL Docs
• PostgreSQL Docs
• Laravel Forge

Conclusion

There’s no wrong choice between MySQL and PostgreSQL in Laravel 12—just the right one for your project’s needs.

If you want fast setup, simple management, and wide hosting support, MySQL is still a solid pick. But if you’re dealing with complex data relationships, analytics, or flexible schemas, PostgreSQL may future-proof your architecture.

When in doubt, start with MySQL for prototyping and switch to PostgreSQL when you scale. Laravel’s flexible enough to let you make that move smoothly.