SurrealDB vs. Postgres

Q: How is SurrealDB different from PostgreSQL?

PostgreSQL is a relational database that supports additional capabilities through extensions. SurrealDB natively unifies relational, document, graph, vector, full-text, and temporal data models in a single engine with a single query language.

Q: Can SurrealDB replace PostgreSQL?

Yes, for many workloads. SurrealDB supports relational-style queries, ACID transactions, and schema enforcement while also providing native graph, vector, and full-text capabilities that PostgreSQL requires extensions for. A migration guide is available in the documentation.

Q: How does SurrealDB handle relationships compared to PostgreSQL joins?

PostgreSQL expresses relationships through foreign keys and joins, where query cost increases with join depth. SurrealDB treats relationships as first-class citizens that are traversed directly using graph operators, eliminating join planning overhead.

SurrealDB natively unifies relational, graph, vector, document, and temporal data in a single engine - no extensions or workarounds.

Migrate from Postgres Contact us

KEY ADVANTAGES

Why teams choose SurrealDB over Postgres

Postgres supports parts of this through extensions and workarounds. SurrealDB runs all of it natively in one system.

Vector + graph retrieval

Vectors identify similar items. Graphs add relationship context during retrieval.

Higher accuracy through context

Graph-based retrieval improves relevance by incorporating relationship-aware reasoning.

Lower cost at scale

A single unified engine eliminates the need for multiple specialised systems, reducing infrastructure sprawl.

Operational simplicity

One engine replaces kNN, multi-store SQL pipelines, and distributed instance coordination.

HOW IT COMPARES

SurrealDB vs. Postgres + pgvector

Postgres is a powerful relational database, but AI and retrieval workloads stretch it beyond its original design. SurrealDB handles these workloads natively.

Architecture

PostgreSQL

Monolithic relational engine. Extensions bolt additional capabilities onto a core not designed for multi-model execution.

SurrealDB

Distributed, multi-model database with a decoupled query and storage layer. Efficient as single node or distributed.

Models

PostgreSQL

Relational database with JSON, full-text search, and vector support via extensions. No native graph model.

SurrealDB

Native multi-model: document, relational, graph, key-value, time-series, vector, full-text search, and geospatial.

Relationship querying

PostgreSQL

Relationships expressed through foreign keys and joins. Cost increases with join depth.

SurrealDB

First-class relationships traversed directly without joins. No join planning or join indexes required.

Scale

PostgreSQL

Scaling beyond a single node requires manual primary/replica coordination. Large deployments commonly require manual sharding.

SurrealDB

Horizontally scalable for both reads and writes. Designed to eliminate the need for sharding.

Schema evolution

PostgreSQL

Schema changes on large tables are disruptive and risky. Migrations often require maintenance windows.

SurrealDB

Schema-flexible by design. Start schemaless and incrementally enforce schema without downtime.

Pricing

PostgreSQL

Infrastructure costs grow with index count, replicas, and sharding.

SurrealDB

Unified engine reduces the need for multiple specialised systems. Costs scale linearly with usage.

FEATURED BLOG

Learn more about SurrealDB vs. PostgreSQL

A detailed look at how SurrealDB compares to PostgreSQL for modern application and AI workloads.

A look at SurrealQL and how it differs from PostgreSQL

Jan 27, 20269 min read

Tutorial

A look at SurrealQL and how it differs from PostgreSQL

TRUSTED BY

Enterprise teams building on SurrealDB

From knowledge graphs to AI assistants - how enterprise teams are building on the context layer.

Samsung

Unlocking insights with knowledge graphs

Samsung Ads uses SurrealDB to build dynamic, real-time knowledge graphs for smarter campaign execution - collapsing three legacy data stores into one.

Read case study

Verizon

AI assistant empowering 10,000 technicians

Verizon uses SurrealDB to power a generative AI assistant for 10,000 field technicians, delivering instant access to documentation, outage updates, and workflows.

Read case study

Tencent