This paper presents a comparison between PostgreSQL and MySQL. Fundamental and more sophisticated features and performance that characterize enterprise capable databases are contrasted between PostgreSQL and MySQL. These topics include:

• Database performance
• Query optimization
• ACID Transaction support
• Data durability
• Referential integrity
• Support for procedural languages and triggers
• Support for industry standard authentication methods

Many of MySQL's limitations only become apparent post-deployment, when a full re-architecting of an organization’s data infrastructure is difficult. This comparison can be very useful to those who have little or no experience when it comes to MySQL in deployment.