Database choices in popular SaaS boilerplates

We go through the pros and cons of SQL, NoSQL, and Graph databases.

7 November 2024

Selecting a database for your project can have long-lasting effects on scalability, performance, and maintenance. Many SaaS boilerplates come with pre-configured database options, which can simplify setup but also limit flexibility. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of various database choices found in popular SaaS boilerplates to help you make a well-informed decision for your application.

1. SQL Databases in SaaS Boilerplates

SQL databases remain a staple in many web development boilerplates, particularly those geared towards applications with structured data models and strong consistency requirements. Let’s look at the two most common SQL databases: PostgreSQL and MySQL.

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is a widely-used, open-source relational database known for its rich feature set and extensibility. Industrial-strength frameworks, such as Django and Ruby on Rails, either default to or integrate smoothly with PostgreSQL. This offers developers flexibility and performance.

Pros of PostgreSQL

ACID Compliance: Reliable and consistent transactions. Ideal for applications handling financial or sensitive data.
Advanced Data Types: Supports JSON, arrays, and custom data types. Offers flexibility for modern applications.
Extensibility: Supports custom functions and extensions, making it highly customisable, accommodating various use cases.
Indexing and Full-Text Search: Advanced indexing and full-text search capabilities make it a great option for content-heavy applications.

Cons of PostgreSQL

Complex Configuration: It can be resource-intensive and may require fine-tuning. Can be challenging for new developers.
Memory Usage: PostgreSQL generally uses more memory than some other SQL options, which can affect costs on smaller applications.

List of SaaS boilerplates that use PostgreSQL

Here’s a growing list of SaaS boilerplates that use PostgreSQL.

MySQL

MySQL is one of the most popular databases in the world, powering platforms like WordPress and Drupal. Its name is a combination of “My”, the name of co-founder Michael Widenius’ daughter My, and “SQL”, the acronym for Structured Query Language. Many Node.js SaaS boilerplates also default to MySQL due to its efficiency and speed with read-heavy workloads.

Pros of MySQL

Ease of Use: Its user-friendly interface and extensive documentation make it a good choice for beginners.
High Performance in Reads: Well-suited for applications with heavy read operations, such as content management systems.
Wide Community Support: Has an extensive support network, including plugins, documentation, and community forums.
Cost-Effective: Is relatively lightweight, and managed MySQL instances are available affordably across major cloud providers.

Cons of MySQL

Limited JSON Support: Though it supports JSON, it’s less robust compared to PostgreSQL’s implementation.
Limited Transactional Capabilities: Not as feature-rich in handling complex transactions compared to PostgreSQL.
Less Extensible: Fewer customisation options compared to PostgreSQL, which might limit flexibility for complex applications.

List of SaaS boilerplates that use MySQL

Here’s a growing list of SaaS boilerplates that use MySQL.

2. NoSQL Databases in SaaS Boilerplates

NoSQL databases have gained traction due to their scalability and ability to handle unstructured data. They are often included in SaaS boilerplates designed for data-heavy applications, microservices, and real-time apps. MongoDB and Firebase are two popular NoSQL databases found in many SaaS boilerplates.

MongoDB

MongoDB is a document-based NoSQL database often used in the MERN (MongoDB, Express, React, Node) stack. It excels at handling large volumes of unstructured data and is suitable for applications where flexibility is a priority.

Pros of MongoDB

Schema Flexibility: MongoDB allows for a flexible schema design, making it ideal for applications that may evolve over time.
High Scalability: It can scale horizontally by sharding data across multiple nodes.
Built-In Replication and High Availability: Supports automatic replication and failover for better reliability.
JSON-Like Documents: Its document-based storage (using BSON format) aligns naturally with JavaScript/JSON, popular in modern web applications.

Cons of MongoDB

Lacks Strong ACID Compliance: Not fully ACID-compliant across clusters, which can affect data consistency in multi-node setups.
Complex Transactions: Limited transaction capabilities compared to SQL databases.
Memory-Intensive: Can require substantial memory, particularly for sharded or highly scaled systems.

List of SaaS boilerplates that use MongoDB

Here’s a growing list of SaaS boilerplates that use MongoDB.

Firebase (Cloud Firestore)

Firebase is a backend-as-a-service (BaaS) by Google that offers a NoSQL document-based database. It is popular in SaaS boilerplates targeting mobile and real-time applications due to its real-time syncing capabilities and integration with the Firebase ecosystem.

Pros of Firebase

Real-Time Data Syncing: Ideal for real-time applications such as chat apps, collaboration tools, and social media.
Scalable BaaS Solution: It takes care of server management, scaling, and infrastructure.
Cross-Platform: Works seamlessly with mobile and web applications, offering SDKs for iOS, Android, and the web.
Serverless: Being part of Firebase’s serverless offerings, it eliminates the need for managing backend infrastructure.

Cons of Firebase

Vendor Lock-In: Relies on Google’s infrastructure, making it hard to migrate out of Firebase if needed.
Limited Query Capabilities: Limited querying functionality compared to traditional databases.
Cost at Scale: While it’s free for small projects, costs can increase significantly as usage grows.
Less Control Over Infrastructure: Limited backend control, which can hinder customization for large-scale applications.

List of SaaS boilerplates that use Firebase

Here’s a growing list of SaaS boilerplates that use Firebase.

3. Graph Databases in SaaS Boilerplates

Graph databases, like Neo4j, are designed for applications that require efficient handling of complex relationships, such as social networks, recommendation engines, and fraud detection systems. Graph databases are typically found in niche boilerplates or as optional components in data-centric SaaS boilerplates.

Neo4j

Neo4j is a powerful, open-source graph database that enables efficient storage and querying of data with complex interrelationships. It’s ideal for applications that rely heavily on relationship-driven data.

Pros of Neo4j

Efficient Relationship Queries: Queries involving relationships (e.g., shortest path, social connections) are highly optimised.
Intuitive Data Modeling: Neo4j’s graph-based structure is often more intuitive for modeling real-world relationships.
Cypher Query Language: Its proprietary query language, Cypher, is easy to learn and designed specifically for graph data.

Cons of Neo4j

Not Ideal for All Data Types: Best suited for relationship-based data and may be overkill for simple data storage.
Learning Curve: Cypher has a steeper learning curve for developers accustomed to SQL.
Higher Resource Consumption: Graph databases can be resource-intensive, particularly for large datasets.

4. Choosing the Right Database for Your SaaS

Choosing a database ultimately depends on the type of application, anticipated data structure, and your long-term goals. Here’s a quick summary to help guide your decision:

Use PostgreSQL if you need a feature-rich SQL database with high extensibility and support for complex queries.
Choose MySQL for read-heavy applications that benefit from high-speed access and broad community support.
Opt for MongoDB if you need a flexible schema and prioritize horizontal scalability over ACID compliance.
Select Firebase if you’re building a real-time application and don’t need extensive control over backend infrastructure.
Go with Neo4j if your application revolves around relationships and complex data connections.

Conclusion

A good SaaS boilerplate streamlines development, but the database choice within it can have significant implications for your project. Each database has its strengths and limitations, so understanding these trade-offs is essential for aligning with your application’s requirements. By evaluating the pros and cons of each database option in relation to your specific needs, you can make a more informed decision that ensures scalability, performance, and ease of maintenance for your application.