10 Best Databases for Python of 2026

1. 1

   PostgreSQL

   Open source object-relational database with the deepest Python driver and ORM support of any server database.

   9.9overall

   Open source object-relational database with the deepest Python driver and ORM support of any server database.

   Best forPython and Flask developers who want one relational database for prototypes and production apps.

   Adoption data

   57.9%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 57.9% of the 12,061 respondents to the database question had done extensive development work in PostgreSQL over the past year, the highest share of any database.

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

   PostgreSQL is the safest default for a Python project, and the driver story is the main reason. SQLAlchemy ships PostgreSQL as one of its included dialects, so Flask apps that use SQLAlchemy models can target it without third-party plugins. Psycopg 3, the current adapter, keeps the familiar DB-API 2.0 interface while adding async support, a redesigned connection pool, static typing, server-side parameter binding, prepared statements and pipeline mode. That covers both a classic synchronous Flask app and an asyncio service. Adoption is the other reason: 57.9% of database respondents in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey had done extensive work in PostgreSQL, more than any other engine, so answers, tutorials and hosting options are easy to find. The database itself is free under a BSD-style license, ACID compliant and extensible with add-ons such as PostGIS. The cost is operations: someone has to run the server, take backups and apply upgrades, which is why many teams pair it with a managed host.

   Strengths

   • +Most used database in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey at 57.9%
   • +First-class support in SQLAlchemy and in Postgres-compatible hosts such as Neon and Supabase
   • +Free license with a stated commitment to stay open source

   Limitations

   • −You run, back up and upgrade a server unless you pay a host
   • −More setup than SQLite for a small Flask prototype
   • −Help comes from the community unless you hire a vendor

   SummaryPostgreSQL has the strongest mix of Python driver quality, ORM support and developer adoption. For most Python and Flask apps it is the best database to start with.

2. 2

   SQLite

   Embedded, single-file SQL database that Python can use through the standard library with no server.

   9.3overall

   Embedded, single-file SQL database that Python can use through the standard library with no server.

   Best forFlask prototypes, small apps, tests and desktop tools that need a database with zero setup.

   Adoption data

   42.1%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 42.1% of the 12,061 respondents to the database question 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 Python app a real SQL database. The Python documentation describes it as a C library that provides a lightweight disk-based database without a separate server process, and the sqlite3 module that talks to it ships with Python itself. You can even open a simple SQLite shell with python -m sqlite3. SQLAlchemy includes a SQLite dialect, so a Flask app can start on a local file and later switch its connection string to PostgreSQL or MySQL with few code changes. The engine is ACID compliant, stores tables, indices and views in one cross-platform file, and is public domain, so there is no license question. Adoption is high: 42.1% of database respondents in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey used it extensively. Limits appear when many processes write at once or when several servers need to share data. The Python docs also note that sqlite3 is built without loadable extension support by default on some platforms.

   Strengths

   • +Nothing to install beyond Python itself
   • +Public domain license with no cost for any use
   • +Easy to move from a SQLite prototype to PostgreSQL through SQLAlchemy

   Limitations

   • −Not designed for many writers across several servers
   • −Python's sqlite3 module ships without loadable extension support by default
   • −No built-in user accounts or network access

   SummarySQLite is the best zero-setup database for Python, ideal for prototypes, tests and small Flask apps. Move to a server database when concurrent writes or several app servers enter the picture.

3. 3

   MySQL

   Widely deployed open source relational server from Oracle, supported by SQLAlchemy's built-in MySQL and MariaDB dialect.

   9.0overall

   Widely deployed open source relational server from Oracle, supported by SQLAlchemy's built-in MySQL and MariaDB dialect.

   Best forPython 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 respondents to the database question 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 the relational server many Python developers meet first on shared hosts and older stacks, and it remains a sound choice. SQLAlchemy includes a combined MySQL and MariaDB dialect, so Flask apps that use SQLAlchemy models work against it without extra plugins, and MariaDB's own Connector/Python documentation states that it can access MySQL databases too, through a DB API 2.0 interface. In the 2026 Stack Overflow survey, 35.1% of database respondents had worked extensively with MySQL, behind only PostgreSQL and SQLite. Oracle's manual describes it as a relational database that anyone can download and use without paying, scaling from a laptop to networked clusters. The Community Edition is GPL licensed, with commercial licenses for vendors who embed it. Compared with PostgreSQL it offers fewer extensions and data types, so new projects with no MySQL history usually gain little by choosing it. It earns its place when your host, team or existing data already runs on MySQL.

   Strengths

   • +Third most used database in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey at 35.1%
   • +Common default on shared and managed hosting
   • +Same SQLAlchemy dialect covers MySQL and MariaDB

   Limitations

   • −Fewer advanced data types and extensions than PostgreSQL
   • −GPL terms need review if you embed and distribute it
   • −Oracle's documentation site was unavailable during our November 2026 check

   SummaryMySQL is a dependable, free relational database with solid SQLAlchemy support. Pick it when your hosting or existing data already uses MySQL.

4. 4

   Supabase

   Hosted Postgres platform with an official Python client, auth, storage and realtime features.

   8.9overall

   Hosted Postgres platform with an official Python client, auth, storage and realtime features.

   Best forPython and Flask developers who want managed Postgres plus auth and file storage in one service.

   Adoption data

   10 millionSupabase said nearly 10 million developers build on the platform, more than double the count from eight months earlier.

   Supabase, Supabase Series F (2025): “Nearly 10 million developers build on Supabase today, more than doubling since our last fundraising announcement eight months ago.”

   Supabase is a good fit when a Python app needs more than a database. Its official Python library, supabase-py, is installed with pip install supabase and, according to the reference docs, lets you work with your Postgres database, listen to database changes, invoke Edge Functions, handle login and user management, and manage large files. Because the core is a regular Postgres database, a Flask app can also skip the client and connect through SQLAlchemy or Psycopg like any other Postgres server, which keeps your models portable. Note that supabase-py itself queries through the Data API, so that access has to be enabled. Supabase says nearly 10 million developers build on it. Pricing starts with a free plan, and Pro costs from $25 per month with the first project included, plus usage. Teams that only want a bare database may find a simpler Postgres host cheaper, but for apps that need auth and storage too it removes several services.

   Strengths

   • +One Python client for data, login and file storage
   • +Standard Postgres underneath, so you are not locked into the client
   • +Free plan for prototypes

   Limitations

   • −supabase-py queries go through the Data API, which must be enabled
   • −Usage charges on top of the $25 Pro base
   • −More moving parts than a plain Postgres host if you only need a database

   SummarySupabase is the best managed Postgres option for Python apps that also need auth and storage. Its standard Postgres core keeps SQLAlchemy code portable.

5. 5

   MariaDB

   Community-developed MySQL fork with its own LGPL Python connector and async support in version 2.0.

   8.8overall

   Community-developed MySQL fork with its own LGPL Python connector and async support in version 2.0.

   Best forPython teams that want a fully open source MySQL-compatible server.

   Adoption data

   20.3%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 20.3% of the 12,061 respondents to the database question had done extensive development work in MariaDB over the past year.

   Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “MariaDB 2,446 20.3%”

   MariaDB gives Python developers a MySQL-compatible server with a vendor-maintained driver. MariaDB Connector/Python implements the Python DB API 2.0 (PEP-249) and can access both MariaDB and MySQL databases. Version 2.0 adds async/await support, sync and async connection pools with health checks, and URI connections, but at our November 2026 check it was a release candidate; the docs say a plain pip install mariadb gives the stable 1.1 release and warn against non-GA versions in production. SQLAlchemy's included MySQL and MariaDB dialect means Flask apps using SQLAlchemy work without extra plugins. The server is designed as a drop-in replacement for MySQL, and the foundation says it will remain free and open source under GPLv2. In the 2026 Stack Overflow survey, 20.3% of database respondents used it extensively. It suits teams that like the MySQL model but want a community-governed project, while PostgreSQL still offers more extensions.

   Strengths

   • +Vendor-maintained Python connector that also reaches MySQL
   • +Server stays GPLv2 open source
   • +20.3% usage in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey

   Limitations

   • −Connector/Python 2.0 was still a release candidate at our check; 1.1 is the stable release
   • −Connection pooling needs the separate mariadb[pool] extra
   • −Smaller extension set than PostgreSQL

   SummaryMariaDB is a free, MySQL-compatible server with a solid official Python connector. Stay on Connector/Python 1.1 in production until 2.0 is GA.

6. 6

   MongoDB

   Document database with the official PyMongo driver and a production-ready Django backend.

   8.8overall

   Document database with the official PyMongo driver and a production-ready Django backend.

   Best forPython developers whose data fits JSON-like documents better than tables.

   Adoption data

   19.0%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 19.0% of the 12,061 respondents to the database question 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 main document database choice for Python, and its driver support is strong. MongoDB calls PyMongo the recommended way to work with MongoDB from Python, and the driver docs cover connections, CRUD operations, aggregation, indexes, authentication, MongoDB Search and Vector Search. Django developers now have the Django MongoDB Backend, which MongoDB says is generally available and ready for production. Flask apps usually call PyMongo directly, since MongoDB does not fit SQLAlchemy's relational model. The document model suits data with changing or nested shapes, such as content, catalogs and event logs, but reporting across many related records is harder than with SQL. In the 2026 Stack Overflow survey, 19.0% of database respondents had worked extensively with MongoDB. You can self-host the free Community Edition or use Atlas, which has a free tier and Flex clusters that cost between $8 and $30 for a month's usage, with dedicated clusters above that.

   Strengths

   • +Official Python driver maintained by the vendor
   • +Django support is GA for teams outside Flask
   • +Flexible schema for changing data shapes

   Limitations

   • −No SQLAlchemy support, so Flask apps use PyMongo or an ODM instead
   • −Relational joins and reports take more work than in SQL
   • −Atlas costs rise with dedicated clusters

   SummaryMongoDB is the best document database for Python, with an official driver and GA Django support. Choose it when your data is naturally documents, not tables.

7. 7

   Redis

   In-memory data store used from Python through redis-py for caching, sessions, queues and fast lookups.

   8.8overall

   In-memory data store used from Python through redis-py for caching, sessions, queues and fast lookups.

   Best forFlask and Python teams adding a cache, 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 respondents to the database question 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 Python app, but it is one of the most useful second ones. The official client, redis-py, installs with pip install redis, and Redis recommends adding hiredis support for a compiled response parser that usually needs no code changes. The docs cover asyncio usage, pipelines and transactions, and an object-mapping layer through RedisOM for Python, while RedisVL adds vector search for AI features. In a Flask app it typically holds sessions, cached pages, rate limits and background job queues while PostgreSQL or MySQL keeps the system of record. Adoption is broad: 28.3% of database respondents in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey used it extensively. Redis Open Source is free, and Redis Cloud has a free 30 MB database with Essentials plans that start at $0.007 per hour, about $5 per month. Because data lives in memory, it gets costly for large datasets, and it does not plug into SQLAlchemy models.

   Strengths

   • +Fourth most used database in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey at 28.3%
   • +Free open source server and a free 30 MB cloud tier
   • +Low-cost managed plans from about $5 per month

   Limitations

   • −Best as a companion to a relational database, not a replacement
   • −Data sits in memory, so large datasets get expensive
   • −Object mapping needs RedisOM rather than SQLAlchemy

   SummaryRedis is the best Python choice for caching, sessions and queues. Pair it with a relational database rather than using it alone.

8. 8

   DuckDB

   In-process analytical database that queries Pandas, Polars and Arrow data straight from Python.

   8.5overall

   In-process analytical database that queries Pandas, Polars and Arrow data straight from Python.

   Best forPython data analysts and notebook users running SQL over DataFrames, CSV and Parquet files.

   Adoption data

   5.7%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 5.7% of the 12,061 respondents to the database question had done extensive development work in DuckDB over the past year.

   Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “DuckDB 690 5.7%”

   DuckDB is the database Python data work has been missing. The Python API installs with pip install duckdb and runs inside your process, so there is no server to manage. Its docs show it querying Pandas DataFrames, Polars DataFrames and Arrow tables directly, reading CSV, Parquet and JSON files with plain SQL, and integrating with Ibis, PyTorch and fsspec filesystems. The documentation also covers Jupyter and marimo notebooks, which is where many analysts will meet it. That makes it a strong tool for reports, data pipelines and exploratory analysis, and a poor fit as the transactional database behind a Flask app with many concurrent writes. SQLAlchemy does not list it among its included or external dialects, so ORM-based web apps are not its target. In the 2026 Stack Overflow survey, 5.7% of database respondents had used it extensively, small next to PostgreSQL but notable for an analytics engine. It is free under the MIT license.

   Strengths

   • +SQL over DataFrames without loading data into a server
   • +MIT license and no cost
   • +Works well in Jupyter and marimo notebooks

   Limitations

   • −Built for analytics, not as a Flask app's transactional database
   • −5.7% survey usage, far below general-purpose engines
   • −No built-in SQLAlchemy dialect

   SummaryDuckDB is the best Python database for analytics over DataFrames and files. Use it beside your app database, not instead of it.

9. 9

   Neon

   Serverless Postgres host with Python guides for Psycopg, asyncpg, SQLAlchemy and Django.

   8.4overall

   Serverless Postgres host with Python guides for Psycopg, asyncpg, SQLAlchemy and Django.

   Best forPython developers who want hosted Postgres that scales to zero and branches per feature.

   Adoption data

   80%When Databricks announced its agreement to acquire Neon, it said internal telemetry showed over 80% of databases provisioned on Neon were created automatically by AI agents.

   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 is a serverless Postgres host that documents the Python path well. Its Python guide walks through connecting with Psycopg 3, psycopg2 and asyncpg and running basic create, read, update and delete operations, and separate ORM guides cover SQLAlchemy, Django and Tortoise ORM. Because Neon is Postgres, a Flask app built on SQLAlchemy only needs a new connection string. Platform features matter for Python teams: compute scales to zero when idle, including on the Free plan, and copy-on-write branches can give each pull request or test run its own database. Built-in PgBouncer pooling supports up to 10,000 connections per compute. The Free plan includes 100 projects, and Launch bills $0.106 per compute-unit hour plus $0.35 per GB-month of storage, which is cheap for small apps but harder to forecast than a flat plan. Databricks agreed to acquire Neon in 2025 and said over 80% of Neon databases were being created by AI agents.

   Strengths

   • +Standard Postgres, so Flask SQLAlchemy code runs unchanged
   • +Free plan with 100 projects
   • +Branches give each feature or test run its own database

   Limitations

   • −Usage-based billing is harder to predict than a flat fee
   • −Cold starts after scale to zero can add latency
   • −Now owned by Databricks, so roadmap decisions sit with a larger parent

   SummaryNeon is a strong hosted Postgres choice for Python apps with uneven traffic. Branching and scale to zero keep small projects cheap.

10. 10

    CockroachDB

    Distributed SQL database that speaks the Postgres wire protocol and documents Python apps with Psycopg, SQLAlchemy and Django.

    7.3overall

    Distributed SQL database that speaks the Postgres wire protocol and documents Python apps with Psycopg, SQLAlchemy and Django.

    Best forPython teams that need a SQL database spread across regions with high availability.

    Adoption data

    1.0%In the 2026 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 1.0% of the 12,061 respondents to the database question had done extensive development work in CockroachDB over the past year.

    Stack Overflow, Databases, Technology data 2026, Stack Overflow Developer Survey (2026): “Cockroachdb 117 1.0%”

    CockroachDB is a distributed SQL database for apps that cannot go down when a zone or region does. For Python developers the integration is well documented: Cockroach Labs publishes tutorials for building apps with Psycopg 3, psycopg2, asyncpg, the SQLAlchemy ORM and Django. SQLAlchemy lists sqlalchemy-cockroachdb as an external dialect, so Flask apps need that extra package rather than the built-in Postgres dialect. CockroachDB Cloud's Standard edition carries a 99.99% availability SLA and supports single or multi-region clusters, with features such as row-level security and change data capture. The pricing page lists Standard from $0.057 per vCPU-hour, and new accounts get a 30-day trial with $400 in credit. That model makes sense for global, high-availability systems but is far more than a typical Flask app needs, and adoption is narrow: 1.0% of database respondents in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey had used it extensively.

    Strengths

    • +Familiar Postgres drivers work from Python
    • +Built for multi-region resilience
    • +Detailed Python tutorials from the vendor

    Limitations

    • −Needs the external sqlalchemy-cockroachdb dialect for SQLAlchemy
    • −Far more cost and complexity than a Flask app usually needs
    • −1.0% usage in the 2026 Stack Overflow survey

    SummaryCockroachDB is the Python pick for SQL that must survive regional outages. Most Flask apps are better served by PostgreSQL.

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