Open-Source Databases
Azure Database for PostgreSQL + Azure Database for MySQL — Product Overview
Azure Database for PostgreSQL and Azure Database for MySQL are Microsoft's fully managed database services for two of the world's most widely used open-source database engines. Both give organizations a secure, cloud-hosted home for their PostgreSQL or MySQL data, without the burden of managing the underlying servers themselves. Below is an overview of what each offers and the value it delivers.
Azure Database for PostgreSQL
Designed for: Organizations running PostgreSQL applications that want a fully managed, flexible, and cost-optimized cloud database.
What's Included
- A fully managed PostgreSQL server, with patching, backups, and infrastructure handled automatically
- Support for major community versions of PostgreSQL
- The ability to stop and start the server on demand, pausing compute charges when the database isn't needed
- Built-in high availability, with options for protection within a single location or across multiple locations
- Granular control over server configuration and settings for teams that want more hands-on tuning
Why It Matters for Your Business
Azure Database for PostgreSQL gives organizations already using or considering PostgreSQL a fully managed alternative to running and maintaining their own servers, while preserving the flexibility and configuration control PostgreSQL users expect. The ability to stop and start a server on demand is especially valuable for development, testing, or predictable, time-bound workloads, since compute charges stop the moment a server is paused — helping teams avoid paying for capacity they aren't using.
Billing Structure
Azure Database for PostgreSQL is billed based on the compute tier selected — Burstable, for low-cost, low-concurrency workloads such as development and testing; General Purpose, for most balanced, production workloads; or Memory Optimized, for demanding workloads that need high concurrency and in-memory performance. Storage and backup are billed separately from compute, and stopping a server halts compute charges immediately while it's paused. As with other Azure services, a pay-as-you-go rate is available, along with the option to reserve capacity for one or three years at a reduced rate.
Azure Database for MySQL
Designed for: Organizations running MySQL applications that want a fully managed, scalable cloud database.
What's Included
- A fully managed MySQL server, with patching, backups, and infrastructure handled automatically
- Three performance tiers to match different workload demands
- Automatic scaling of input/output throughput based on workload activity
- Built-in high availability options
- A free tier available for the first 12 months for first-time users, suited to testing and development
Why It Matters for Your Business
Azure Database for MySQL gives organizations running MySQL-based applications a fully managed alternative to self-hosting, removing the operational burden of patching, backing up, and maintaining database servers. Automatic input/output scaling means the database can absorb variable or unpredictable traffic without requiring manual intervention to avoid performance bottlenecks, and the free tier for first-time users provides a low-risk way for a business to evaluate the platform before committing to a production deployment.
Billing Structure
Azure Database for MySQL is billed based on the performance tier selected — Burstable, General Purpose, or Memory Optimized — matching the same three-tier structure used across Azure's managed open-source database services. Compute is billed hourly based on the tier and resources provisioned, while storage and backup are billed separately. Additional input/output throughput used beyond the provisioned amount is billed based on actual usage. A pay-as-you-go rate is available, along with reserved capacity options for organizations with predictable, long-term usage.
Summary
- Azure Database for PostgreSQL — a fully managed, flexible PostgreSQL database with on-demand stop/start to help control costs.
- Azure Database for MySQL — a fully managed, automatically scaling MySQL database, with a free tier for first-time evaluation.
Both services follow the same underlying structure — three compute tiers (Burstable, General Purpose, and Memory Optimized) to match different workload demands, and separate billing for compute and storage — making it straightforward for an organization to apply the same cost and performance thinking whether it's running PostgreSQL, MySQL, or both.
Have Questions? We're Here to Help.
Our team can help you identify the solution that best matches your organization's needs and guide you through setup.