TimescaleDB
What it is: PostgreSQL extension for time-series data. Get time-series performance while keeping full SQL, joins, and ACID guarantees.
What It Does Best
Full SQL support. Unlike purpose-built time-series databases, you keep all PostgreSQL features. JOINs, CTEs, window functions.
Automatic partitioning. Hypertables automatically partition by time. Query optimization and data management handled.
Compression. Native columnar compression. 90%+ compression ratios on time-series data.
Pricing
Free: Open source, Apache 2.0 license. Timescale Cloud: $0.50/GB-month storage, $0.10/million rows written.
When to Use It
✅ Time-series + relational data together
✅ Need SQL and existing PostgreSQL ecosystem
✅ IoT, metrics, financial tick data
✅ Already using PostgreSQL
When NOT to Use It
❌ Extreme write throughput (InfluxDB better)
❌ Don't need SQL (InfluxDB simpler)
❌ Multi-model data (consider Couchbase)
Bottom line: Best time-series database if you value SQL. Keep PostgreSQL benefits, gain time-series optimizations. Perfect middle ground between InfluxDB's speed and PostgreSQL's flexibility.