CockroachDB
Distributed Postgres-compatible SQL. Strong consistency at global scale, relicensed in 2024.
VISIT COCKROACHDBQuick facts
- CategoryPostgres
- EnginePostgres
- PricingPaid
- LicenseCockroachDB Software License (BSL-like, 2024)
- Created2014
- GitHub stars30.5k
- PostgresCompatible
- Edge-readyNo
Bundled features: Multi-region Strong consistency
What it is
CockroachDB is a distributed SQL database with Postgres compatibility, strong consistency, and global multi-region replication. Cockroach Cloud is the managed serverless offering. The license shifted to CSL (Cockroach Software License) in late 2024, restricting commercial use of self-hosted deployments — controversial but the SaaS product is unaffected.
Best for
- Apps that need genuine multi-region writes with strong consistency
- Workloads where geographic data residency matters per-row
- Large enterprises with HA + DR requirements that exceed single-region Postgres
When not to pick it
Skip Cockroach for most apps — the operational complexity and pricing are real and most workloads do not need distributed SQL. Skip if the 2024 license change is a concern for self-hosted use.
My take
Cockroach is the right answer for genuine global-scale SQL workloads. For everyone else (most teams) it is overkill and Supabase / Neon are the right fit.
Links
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If CockroachDB is your pick — the next conversation is short
The 30-min call is where your database choice becomes a real architecture, a migration plan if you are switching, and a price range you can take to your stakeholders. Describe your stack, your scale, your data shape. I tell you whether CockroachDB is genuinely your fit.