Why we use PostgreSQL as our primary database

PostgreSQL is our primary database at Xvariate. We use it to store, query, and manage data for web applications that need to be reliable and scale well. It is mature, powerful, and has never let us down in production. We choose tools that solve real problems. PostgreSQL solves them all.

What PostgreSQL gives you

We build software that handles real business data with clear requirements for consistency, performance, and reliability.

• ACID compliance: transactions work correctly even when things go wrong.
• Rich data types: JSON, arrays, ranges, and custom types when you need them.
• Advanced querying: complex joins, window functions, and full-text search built in.
• Extensibility: add functions, operators, and data types as your needs grow.
• Battle-tested: decades of production use across every industry.

Best features that matter

Modern applications need more than simple key-value storage. PostgreSQL delivers with practical features that solve common problems.

• JSON support: store and query structured data without losing relational benefits.
• Full-text search: find content fast without external search engines.
• Concurrent access: multiple users and processes work safely together.
• Backup and recovery: point-in-time recovery keeps your data safe.
• Performance tuning: query planner adapts to your data patterns.
• Standards compliance: SQL that works the way you expect.

Why we pair it with Drizzle ORM

Raw SQL is powerful but writing it by hand slows development. Drizzle ORM gives us the best of both worlds: type safety and speed without hiding the database.

• Type-safe queries: catch data shape errors at compile time.
• Migrations made simple: version control your schema changes.
• Performance you can see: generates efficient SQL you can inspect.
• No magic: you control the queries and understand what runs.

// Clean, typed queries with Drizzle
const users = await db
  .select()
  .from(userTable)
  .where(eq(userTable.active, true))
  .orderBy(desc(userTable.createdAt));

How it fits our stack

PostgreSQL works well with our TypeScript and Next.js applications. The ecosystem is mature and the tooling is excellent.

• Hosting flexibility: runs reliably on Neon, AWS RDS, and self-managed servers.
• Connection pooling: handles traffic spikes without breaking.
• Monitoring and logs: clear insights into query performance and database health.
• Backup strategies: automated backups and disaster recovery options.

When we use other databases

PostgreSQL handles 90% of our use cases, but we are not dogmatic about it. Some projects need different tools.

• MongoDB: for document-heavy applications where schema flexibility matters more than consistency.
• Redis: for caching, sessions, and real-time features.
• Time-series databases: when dealing with high-volume sensor or analytics data.

The key is choosing the right tool for the specific problem, not forcing everything into one solution.

Real-world benefits we see

• Reliable transactions: financial data, user accounts, and business logic stay consistent.
• Complex queries: reporting and analytics without moving data to separate systems.
• JSON flexibility: store user preferences and configuration without schema migrations.
• Full-text search: product catalogs and content search without Elasticsearch overhead.

Performance that scales

PostgreSQL handles our production workloads without drama. Proper indexing, query optimization, and connection management solve most performance problems.

• Smart indexing: B-tree, GIN, and partial indexes for different query patterns.
• Query optimization: EXPLAIN helps identify and fix slow queries.
• Connection pooling: PgBouncer keeps database connections efficient.
• Read replicas: distribute read traffic when write performance is not the bottleneck.

Development workflow with Drizzle

Our database development stays fast and safe with a clear workflow:

1. Schema changes: define tables and relationships in TypeScript.
2. Generate migrations: Drizzle creates SQL migrations automatically.
3. Type generation: database schema becomes TypeScript types.
4. Query development: write type-safe queries with full autocomplete.

This keeps the database and application code in sync without manual work.

Why this matters for projects

• Faster development: proven patterns and excellent tooling reduce setup time.
• Better reliability: ACID transactions and mature ecosystem mean fewer surprises.
• Lower complexity: one database handles most use cases well.
• Long-term support: PostgreSQL has a track record of stability and backward compatibility.

Common patterns we use

// User authentication with roles
const userWithRoles = await db
  .select({
    id: users.id,
    email: users.email,
    roles: sql<string[]>`array_agg(${roles.name})`,
  })
  .from(users)
  .leftJoin(userRoles, eq(users.id, userRoles.userId))
  .leftJoin(roles, eq(userRoles.roleId, roles.id))
  .where(eq(users.email, email))
  .groupBy(users.id, users.email);

// JSON data with validation
const settings = await db
  .select()
  .from(userSettings)
  .where(
    and(
      eq(userSettings.userId, userId),
      sql`${userSettings.config}->>'theme' = 'dark'`
    )
  );

Getting started with our setup

• Install PostgreSQL: use Neon for hosted or Docker for local development.
• Add Drizzle ORM: npm install drizzle-orm and database driver.
• Define your schema: create tables and relationships in TypeScript.
• Generate and run migrations: keep database schema in version control.

Build with Xvariate

If you need a team that knows how to build reliable applications with PostgreSQL and modern tooling, we should talk. Tell us about your data requirements and we will help you build something that scales.

PostgreSQL gives us the foundation to build applications that work correctly and perform well. That is why it is our default choice for production data.