Back to all comparisonsDatabases
SQL vs NoSQL
Understand the key differences between Relational (SQL) and Non-Relational (NoSQL) databases.
| Feature | SQL | NoSQL |
|---|---|---|
| Data Structure | Table-based | Document, key-value, graph, or wide-column stores |
| Schema | Predefined schema (Static) | Dynamic schema (Flexible) |
| Scalability | Vertical (Scale-up) | Horizontal (Scale-out) |
| ACID Properties | Strongly supported | Often sacrificed for CAP theorem (Eventual consistency) |
| Examples | MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle | MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis |
Key Takeaway
When choosing between SQL and NoSQL, consider your specific requirements regarding data structure and schema.