Citus vs PostgreSQL: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the key differences between Citus and PostgreSQL. Citus is an extension to PostgreSQL that enables horizontal scaling of PostgreSQL databases by distributing data and queries across multiple nodes. PostgreSQL, on the other hand, is a powerful and feature-rich open-source relational database management system (RDBMS).

1. Architecture:

Citus utilizes a distributed architecture where data is distributed across multiple nodes, enabling horizontal scalability. PostgreSQL, on the other hand, follows a traditional single-node architecture where data is stored and processed on a single server.

2. Scalability:

Citus allows for easy scalability by leveraging a distributed architecture. It achieves this by horizontally scaling the workload across multiple nodes, allowing for increased processing power and storage capacity. PostgreSQL, on the other hand, is not designed for automatic scalability and requires manual configuration for scaling.

3. Performance:

Citus improves performance by leveraging parallel processing across multiple nodes and distributing the workload. This allows for faster query execution and improved overall performance. PostgreSQL, while also capable of handling large workloads, may experience performance limitations on a single node compared to Citus.

4. Data Distribution:

Citus distributes data across multiple nodes based on a sharding mechanism, where the data is divided into smaller chunks and stored on different nodes. This allows for better load balancing and improved read and write performance. In PostgreSQL, data is stored in a single node, without the distribution and sharding capabilities of Citus.

5. Query Optimization:

Citus optimizes queries by parallelizing the execution and distributing the workload across multiple nodes. This allows for faster query processing and improved response times. PostgreSQL, while also capable of query optimization, may not have the same level of parallelization and distributed processing capabilities as Citus.

6. Ease of Use:

Citus integrates seamlessly with PostgreSQL, providing a familiar interface and tools for managing the distributed database. It can be used as an extension to an existing PostgreSQL deployment, making it easier to adopt and incorporate horizontal scaling. While PostgreSQL itself is user-friendly, the additional complexity of managing a distributed database in Citus may require more expertise and effort.

In Summary, Citus and PostgreSQL differ in their architecture, scalability, performance, data distribution, query optimization, and ease of use. Citus enables horizontal scaling with its distributed architecture, improved performance, efficient data distribution, and query optimization, while PostgreSQL follows a traditional single-node architecture without these features.