10 Best Databases for Node.js of 2026

1. 1

   PostgreSQL

   Free, open source relational database with a mature Node.js client in node-postgres and support from every major JavaScript ORM.

   9.9overall

   Free, open source relational database with a mature Node.js client in node-postgres and support from every major JavaScript ORM.

   Best forNode.js and full-stack JavaScript developers who want one SQL database from first prototype to production.

   Adoption data

   57.9%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 57.9% of the 12,061 developers who answered the database question said they had done extensive development work in PostgreSQL over the past year, more than for any other database.

   Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “PostgreSQL 6,984 57.9%”

   PostgreSQL is the default answer for a Node.js back end because the driver, the hosting market and the developer base all line up behind it. node-postgres, installed as the pg package, describes itself as a collection of Node.js modules with support for callbacks, promises, async/await, connection pooling, prepared statements, cursors and streaming results, and its docs list compatibility with Node.js 18, 20, 22 and 24. That covers an Express API, a Next.js route handler or a queue worker without extra glue. The same pg connection string works against hosted Postgres from Neon, Supabase and PlanetScale, which document pg for Node.js, so moving from a laptop to a managed service is mostly configuration. Adoption is the other argument: 57.9% of database respondents in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey had worked extensively with PostgreSQL, the top share. The trade-offs are operational. node-postgres is community maintained, a self-hosted server needs backups and upgrades, and serverless functions that open many TCP connections need a pooler.

   Strengths

   • +Most used database in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey at 57.9%
   • +Drizzle and Kysely both run on top of the pg package
   • +No license cost and many hosting choices

   Limitations

   • −node-postgres is a community project rather than a vendor-backed driver
   • −You run backups, upgrades and connection limits yourself unless you pay a host
   • −Plain TCP connections need a pooler or an HTTP driver on serverless platforms

   SummaryPostgreSQL pairs the most used database among developers with a promise-based Node.js client that handles pooling and streaming. For most JavaScript back ends it is the right place to start.

2. 2

   SQLite

   Embedded, single-file SQL engine that Node.js now exposes through its own built-in node:sqlite module.

   9.3overall

   Embedded, single-file SQL engine that Node.js now exposes through its own built-in node:sqlite module.

   Best forJavaScript developers building prototypes, CLIs, desktop apps or single-server sites that do not need a database server.

   Adoption data

   42.1%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 42.1% of the 12,061 developers who answered the database question said they had done extensive development work in SQLite over the past year, second only to PostgreSQL.

   Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “SQLite 5,083 42.1%”

   SQLite is the quickest way to give a Node.js project a real SQL database, and it no longer needs a native add-on to get there. Node.js ships a node:sqlite module, added in v22.5.0, that opens a file or in-memory database, runs SQL and prepares statements. The Node.js 26 documentation marks it as Stability 1.2, release candidate, after it came out from behind its experimental flag in v22.13.0, so check that status before you rely on it in production. Every call on the Database class runs synchronously, which keeps code short but means a slow query blocks the event loop. SQLite itself is public domain and free for any use, and it ranked second in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey with 42.1% of database respondents. It fits prototypes, local-first tools, Electron apps and small single-server sites well. When you need several app servers writing at once, move to PostgreSQL or a hosted SQLite service such as Turso.

   Strengths

   • +Nothing to install beyond Node.js for the built-in module
   • +Second most used database in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey
   • +Easy to copy, back up and ship with an app

   Limitations

   • −node:sqlite is still a release candidate, not marked stable
   • −The built-in API runs synchronously and blocks the event loop on slow queries
   • −Not built for many app servers writing to one database

   SummarySQLite is the simplest start for JavaScript projects, now with a module that ships inside Node.js. Treat the built-in module as a release candidate and move to a server database when writes grow.

3. 3

   MySQL

   Widely used open source relational database, reached from Node.js through the mysql2 client.

   9.0overall

   Widely used open source relational database, reached from Node.js through the mysql2 client.

   Best forJavaScript teams on existing MySQL infrastructure or hosts that offer MySQL by default.

   Adoption data

   35.1%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 35.1% of the 12,061 developers who answered the database question said they had done extensive development work in MySQL over the past year.

   Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “MySQL 4,235 35.1%”

   MySQL is a solid Node.js choice when your team or host already runs it. The usual client is mysql2, which its docs describe as a MySQL client for Node.js with a focus on performance, supporting prepared statements, non-UTF8 encodings, the binary log protocol, compression and SSL. It has no native bindings, so it installs on Linux, macOS or Windows without a compiler, and it exposes a promise interface through mysql2/promise plus support for await using to close connections automatically. Prepared statements run through an execute helper that reuses query plans. MySQL ranked third in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey at 35.1% of database respondents, so hosting and help are easy to find, and the Community Edition is free to download and use. The weak points are licensing and scope. The GPL can affect products that bundle MySQL, the main Node.js client is a community project, and PostgreSQL offers more extensions for teams that expect complex queries.

   Strengths

   • +Third most used database in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey
   • +mysql2 is pure JavaScript, so installs rarely break
   • +Offered by almost every web host

   Limitations

   • −The popular mysql2 client is community maintained, not an Oracle product
   • −GPL terms can matter if you redistribute MySQL with your software
   • −Fewer advanced SQL features than PostgreSQL for some workloads

   SummaryMySQL with mysql2 is a dependable, free option for JavaScript apps, especially on hosts built around it. PostgreSQL edges it on features and adoption for new projects.

4. 4

   MongoDB

   Document database with an official Node.js driver and a managed Atlas cloud that has a free tier.

   8.9overall

   Document database with an official Node.js driver and a managed Atlas cloud that has a free tier.

   Best forJavaScript developers whose data maps naturally to JSON-like documents.

   Adoption data

   19.0%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 19.0% of the 12,061 developers who answered the database question said they had done extensive development work in MongoDB over the past year.

   Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “MongoDB 2,297 19.0%”

   MongoDB is the strongest non-relational pick for Node.js because the driver comes from the vendor and the data model feels native to JavaScript. MongoDB's documentation calls it the official MongoDB Node.js driver and says it works with JavaScript or TypeScript, connecting to Atlas, MongoDB Enterprise and Community deployments. The docs cover CRUD, aggregation, indexes, monitoring and security, and point to Mongoose for app-level schemas and Prisma for a type-safe client. Documents map closely to JavaScript objects, which shortens the path from an API payload to stored data. On cost, Atlas has a free cluster with 512 MB of storage, and MongoDB says Flex clusters cost between $8 and $30 for a month's usage. The 2026 Stack Overflow survey puts MongoDB at 19.0% of database respondents, well behind PostgreSQL, SQLite and MySQL. Relational data with many joins is harder to model, and dedicated Atlas clusters cost more than self-hosting.

   Strengths

   • +Vendor-maintained driver for Node.js
   • +Documents match JavaScript objects closely
   • +Free hosted tier for learning and small apps

   Limitations

   • −Atlas costs rise with usage beyond Flex
   • −Joins and strict schemas take more care than in SQL
   • −Lower survey share than the three big SQL databases

   SummaryMongoDB is the best document database for Node.js thanks to its official driver and free Atlas tier. Choose it when your data is document-shaped rather than relational.

5. 5

   Supabase

   Hosted Postgres platform with an isomorphic JavaScript client, auth, storage and realtime in one service.

   8.9overall

   Hosted Postgres platform with an isomorphic JavaScript client, auth, storage and realtime in one service.

   Best forFront-end and full-stack JavaScript developers who want a database plus auth and storage without running servers.

   Adoption data

   7.7%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 7.7% of the 12,061 developers who answered the database question said they had done extensive development work in Supabase over the past year.

   Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Supabase 933 7.7%”

   Supabase suits JavaScript developers who want more than a database. Its reference describes supabase-js as an isomorphic JavaScript library for working with your Postgres database, listening to database changes, invoking Edge Functions, building login and user management, and managing large files. The same package runs in the browser and on a Node.js server, and the docs explain when to use @supabase/ssr or @supabase/server instead. Because the core is standard Postgres, you can also connect with pg or an ORM and keep your data portable. Adoption is strong for a newer platform: 7.7% of database respondents in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey had worked extensively with Supabase, and the company said in its Series F post that nearly 10 million developers build on it. The free plan is generous but projects pause after a week of inactivity and you get 2 active projects. Pro starts at $25 per month with usage on top, and Supabase announced in October 2026 that it is acquiring Turso.

   Strengths

   • +One JavaScript client covers database, auth and file storage
   • +Plain Postgres means no lock-in at the data layer
   • +Generous free plan for side projects

   Limitations

   • −Free projects pause after 1 week of inactivity
   • −Pro adds usage charges on top of $25 per month
   • −Row level security policies take time to learn

   SummarySupabase gives JavaScript developers Postgres plus auth, storage and realtime behind one client. It is the best hosted pick when you want a full back end without managing servers.

6. 6

   Redis

   In-memory data store for caching, sessions and queues, with node-redis as its recommended JavaScript client.

   8.8overall

   In-memory data store for caching, sessions and queues, with node-redis as its recommended JavaScript client.

   Best forNode.js teams adding a cache, rate limiter, session store or job queue next to their main database.

   Adoption data

   28.3%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 28.3% of the 12,061 developers who answered the database question said they had done extensive development work in Redis over the past year.

   Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Redis 3,414 28.3%”

   Redis is rarely the only database in a Node.js app, but it is often the second one, and the JavaScript support is first-party. Redis documentation calls node-redis the Redis client for Node.js and JavaScript and names it the recommended client library, while still supporting and documenting the older ioredis client, with a guide for moving from ioredis. The docs cover connection setup, pipelines and transactions, indexing and querying documents and vectors, client-side caching and production usage, which is what you need for sessions, rate limiting, leaderboards and job queues in Express or Fastify services. In the 2026 Stack Overflow survey 28.3% of database respondents had worked extensively with Redis, the fourth highest share. Cost of entry is low: Redis Cloud has a free 30 MB database and Essentials starts at $0.007 per hour, which Redis totals at $5 per month. The limits are scope and memory. Most apps still need PostgreSQL or another primary store, and in-memory data gets expensive as it grows.

   Strengths

   • +Fourth most used database in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey
   • +Vendor-documented Node.js client with a migration path from ioredis
   • +Cheap entry to a managed instance

   Limitations

   • −Works best as a companion store, not as the only database for most apps
   • −Data size is bound by memory on standard plans
   • −Free cloud tier is only 30 MB

   SummaryRedis is the best companion database for Node.js caching, sessions and queues, with a recommended first-party client. Pair it with a primary database rather than replacing one.

7. 7

   Neon

   Serverless Postgres with its own JavaScript and TypeScript driver that queries over HTTP or WebSockets.

   8.4overall

   Serverless Postgres with its own JavaScript and TypeScript driver that queries over HTTP or WebSockets.

   Best forJavaScript developers deploying to serverless or edge runtimes who want Postgres that scales down when idle.

   Adoption data

   80%When Databricks announced its agreement to acquire Neon in 2025, it said internal telemetry showed over 80% of the databases provisioned on Neon had been created automatically by AI agents rather than by people.

   Databricks, Databricks Agrees to Acquire Neon to Help Developers Deliver AI Systems (2025): “Recent internal telemetry showed that over 80 percent of the databases provisioned on Neon were created automatically by AI agents rather than by humans”

   Neon matters for JavaScript developers mainly because of its driver. Neon describes its serverless driver as a low-latency Postgres driver for JavaScript and TypeScript that queries from serverless and edge environments over HTTP or WebSockets instead of TCP. The default neon() function sends each query as an HTTP fetch, which suits one-shot queries in a Vercel or Cloudflare function, and WebSocket mode adds Pool and Client constructors compatible with node-postgres when you need interactive transactions or sessions. The driver is now common enough that PlanetScale documents it for its own Postgres. The Free plan includes 100 projects with 100 CU-hours per project each month and runs without a time limit or credit card. Launch is usage-based at $0.106 per CU-hour and $0.35 per GB-month, and Neon quotes a typical spend of $15 per month. Databricks agreed to acquire Neon in 2025 and said over 80% of new Neon databases were created by AI agents. Usage pricing needs monitoring on busy apps.

   Strengths

   • +Driver built for serverless and edge platforms where TCP is awkward
   • +Standard Postgres, so pg and ORMs also work
   • +Free plan without a time limit or credit card

   Limitations

   • −Usage-based bills are harder to predict than a flat fee
   • −WebSocket pools cannot outlive a single request on edge platforms
   • −Smaller independent adoption data than Supabase or the core engines

   SummaryNeon is the best Postgres host for JavaScript on serverless and edge runtimes because its HTTP driver avoids TCP connection problems. Watch usage charges once traffic grows.

8. 8

   Firebase

   Google's app platform with Cloud Firestore and Realtime Database, used from Node.js through the Firebase Admin SDK.

   8.2overall

   Google's app platform with Cloud Firestore and Realtime Database, used from Node.js through the Firebase Admin SDK.

   Best forJavaScript developers building mobile or web apps that need realtime sync and Google-managed infrastructure.

   Adoption data

   4.8%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 4.8% of the 12,061 developers who answered the database question said they had done extensive development work in Cloud Firestore over the past year, with a further 4.2% naming Firebase Realtime Database.

   Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Cloud Firestore 582 4.8%”

   Firebase is the pick when a JavaScript app needs live data on phones and browsers more than it needs SQL. On the server, Google documents the Firebase Admin SDK as a set of server libraries; the Node.js version installs from npm as firebase-admin and requires Node.js 22 or later. Firestore also has Web, Node.js and Cloud Functions SDKs, and the client SDKs handle realtime listeners and offline access, which saves building sync logic yourself. The free Spark plan needs no payment method and includes 1 GiB of stored Firestore data, 50K document reads and 20K writes per day, and Authentication is free up to 50K monthly active users. Above that, the Blaze plan is pay as you go, billed per operation, so costs follow traffic and are harder to forecast than a fixed plan. In the 2026 Stack Overflow survey 4.8% of database respondents had worked extensively with Cloud Firestore and 4.2% with Firebase Realtime Database. The NoSQL model and Google-specific APIs make a later move away more work.

   Strengths

   • +Realtime sync and offline support built into the client SDKs
   • +Auth, hosting and functions in the same platform
   • +Free tier needs no payment method

   Limitations

   • −Admin Node.js SDK needs Node.js 22 or later
   • −Per-operation billing on Blaze is hard to forecast
   • −NoSQL model and Google lock-in make later migrations harder

   SummaryFirebase is the best choice for JavaScript apps that need realtime sync and offline data with little back-end code. SQL-heavy or cost-sensitive projects fit PostgreSQL or Supabase better.

9. 9

   Turso

   Cloud and embedded database built on SQLite, with TypeScript packages for local, embedded and remote use.

   7.7overall

   Cloud and embedded database built on SQLite, with TypeScript packages for local, embedded and remote use.

   Best forJavaScript developers who like SQLite but need a hosted database, sync or one database per user or tenant.

   Turso extends the SQLite model to the cloud, and its TypeScript quickstart now separates three packages. @tursodatabase/database is the recommended choice for local and embedded use in Node.js, Electron, mobile and IoT, with push() and pull() to sync changes with Turso Cloud. @tursodatabase/serverless connects Node.js servers, containers and serverless functions to a remote Turso database, and @libsql/client remains for remote libSQL databases. Turso's pitch is many small databases, one per agent, user or tenant, which suits multi-tenant SaaS and AI agent workloads. Pricing is the lowest paid entry here: the Free plan includes 100 databases, 5 GB of storage and 500 million rows read per month, and Developer costs $4.99 per month billed yearly. Turso announced on October 2, 2026 that it is joining Supabase and says the platform keeps running and stays open source. It publishes no independent adoption numbers, so we scored adoption conservatively.

   Strengths

   • +SQLite-style development with a hosted option
   • +Cheapest paid plan on this list at $4.99 per month billed yearly
   • +Many small isolated databases are cheap to create

   Limitations

   • −Being acquired by Supabase, announced October 2026, so plans may change
   • −No independent usage figures published
   • −Several JavaScript packages to choose between, including the older @libsql/client

   SummaryTurso is the best hosted option for JavaScript developers who want SQLite semantics with cloud sync and cheap per-tenant databases. The pending Supabase acquisition is worth watching.

10. 10

    PlanetScale

    Managed Postgres and Vitess (MySQL-compatible) platform aimed at high-traffic production workloads.

    7.3overall

    Managed Postgres and Vitess (MySQL-compatible) platform aimed at high-traffic production workloads.

    Best forFunded teams running Node.js services that expect heavy traffic and want managed scaling and high availability.

    PlanetScale is a production database service rather than a hobby host, and its Node.js story runs through standard drivers. The PlanetScale Postgres guide for Node.js has you install the pg package and connect with a connection string, using port 6432 for PgBouncer pooling or 5432 for direct connections and schema changes. For serverless and edge platforms where TCP and pooling do not work well, PlanetScale supports the Neon serverless driver over HTTP or WebSockets. Beyond Postgres it runs Vitess, a MySQL-compatible engine with horizontal sharding, and Neki, sharded Postgres. Pricing starts at $5 per month for a single-node Postgres database meant for development and low-traffic production, with Metal on local NVMe from $50 per month and a high availability layout of one primary and two replicas. There is no free plan, costs grow with cluster size and replicas, and PlanetScale publishes no usage figures we could cite, so adoption is scored conservatively.

    Strengths

    • +Standard pg package works for Postgres databases
    • +Built for scale with sharding and NVMe Metal options
    • +Postgres single node is inexpensive to start

    Limitations

    • −No free plan
    • −Pricing depends on cluster size, storage and replicas
    • −No independent usage figures published

    SummaryPlanetScale suits Node.js teams that need managed Postgres or sharded MySQL at scale and are ready to pay for it. Smaller projects get more from Neon or Supabase free plans.

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