Google Cloud launches its own version of PostgreSQL

An abstract image in blue and white of a database.
(Image credit: Pixabay)

Google Cloud has announced a new cloud based PostgreSQL compatible database service.

At its Google IO 2022 event, the company pitched AlloyDB as a new modernization option for users transitioning away from legacy databases.

Google claims that compared with standard PostgreSQL, AlloyDB was more than four times faster for transactional workloads in its performance tests, and up to 100 times faster for analytical queries.

What does this mean for users?

AlloyDB was also two times faster for transactional workloads than Amazon’s comparable service, Google claimed in a dig at its cloud hosting rival.

In addition, Google says the service uses the same blocks that power Google services such as YouTube, Search, Maps, and Gmail.

“In particular, enterprise customers are looking to standardize on open systems such as PostgreSQL to eliminate expensive, unfriendly licensing and the vendor lock-in that comes with legacy products,” said Andi Gutmans GM and VP of Engineering for Databases, Google Cloud.  “However, running and replatforming business-critical workloads onto an open source database can be daunting: teams often struggle with performance tuning, disruptions caused by vacuuming, and managing application availability.”

The new service has also maintained full compatibility with PostgreSQL 14 according to Google, the latest version of the open-source database, enabling users to reuse their existing development skills and tools, and migrate existing PostgreSQL applications without code changes

The move is the latest in a series of steps to snap up the market share of legacy cloud providers by Google.

The company has also recently added a Oracle-to-PostgreSQL schema conversion and a new Database Migration Program to enable cloud migration for databases.

Users interested in learning more about AlloyDB can check out this deep dive into the database or visit this page to create their first cluster.

TOPICS

Will McCurdy has been writing about technology for over five years. He has a wide range of specialities including cybersecurity, fintech, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, cloud computing, payments, artificial intelligence, retail technology, and venture capital investment. He has previously written for AltFi, FStech, Retail Systems, and National Technology News and is an experienced podcast and webinar host, as well as an avid long-form feature writer.

With contributions from
Read more
Cyber security Cloud computing blue abstract digital binary code background. Innovative technology and Artificial intelligence concept. New futuristic system technology symbol. Vector illustration.
Best cloud database of 2025
An abstract image in blue and white of a database.
Transforming the future of data with graph databases
An abstract image of a database
Best database software of 2025
The logo of Google Cloud
Google Cloud introduces quantum-safe digital signatures
Trillium TPU
You can now rent Google's most powerful AI chip: Trillium TPU underpins Gemini 2.0 and will put AMD and Nvidia on high alert
AMD Instinct MI325X AI accelerator
Yay, you can now use AMD's fastest ever GPU - AMD's Instinct MI325X AI accelerator has 256GB memory and can run Crysis (sort of)
Latest in Pro
Hospital
Major Oracle outage hits US Federal health record systems
A close-up of a phone screen showing the Telegram, Signal and WhatsApp apps
Agentic AI has “profound” issues with security and privacy, Signal President says
Workers at computers in an office
Cybersecurity workers aren't massively happy with their employers - but they are being paid pretty well
Bluetooth
Top Bluetooth chip security flaw could put a billion devices at risk worldwide
A person holding out their hand with a digital AI symbol.
DeepSeek kicks off the next wave of the AI rush
Chrome icon on Android
The US government still wants Google to sell off Chrome
Latest in News
Nvidia geforce rtx 3050
RTX 5050 rumors detail full spec of desktop graphics card, suggesting Nvidia may use slower video RAM – but I wouldn’t panic yet
OnePlus 13
OnePlus is ditching the Alert Slider for an iPhone-style customizable button - and I’ll be sad to see it go
Q Acoustics Q SUB80, QSUB100 and QSUB120 subwoofers
Q Acoustics wants to bring the bass to your post-Oscars movie catch-up
Hospital
Major Oracle outage hits US Federal health record systems
Samsung Galaxy A56 display
Samsung’s new budget handsets are getting One UI 7 before the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I’m as confused as you are
iPad Pro 13-inch 2024 on a table
The OLED iPad Pro is reportedly less popular than expected – and that could mean these changes to Apple's OLED iPad plans