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.
Key Features
Hypertables: Automatic time-based partitioning at scale
Compression: Native columnar compression for old data
Continuous aggregates: Materialized views that update automatically
Data retention: Automatic data lifecycle management
Full PostgreSQL: All Postgres features plus time-series optimizations
Pricing
Open Source: Free, Apache 2.0 license (self-hosted)
Timescale Cloud: $0.50/GB-month storage, $0.10/million rows written
Free tier: 30-day trial with credits
Self-hosted: Free on your PostgreSQL instance
When to Use It
✅ Time-series + relational data together
✅ Need SQL and existing PostgreSQL ecosystem
✅ IoT, metrics, financial tick data
✅ Already using PostgreSQL
✅ Want SQL power with time-series performance
When NOT to Use It
❌ Extreme write throughput (InfluxDB better)
❌ Don't need SQL (InfluxDB simpler)
❌ Multi-model data (consider Couchbase)
❌ Pure time-series without relational (InfluxDB specialized)
❌ Not already on PostgreSQL (learning curve)
Common Use Cases
IoT analytics: Sensor data with device metadata in relational tables
Financial data: Tick data with reference data lookups
Monitoring: Application metrics combined with config data
Industrial data: Equipment telemetry with asset management
Energy/utilities: Smart meter data at scale
TimescaleDB vs Alternatives
vs InfluxDB: TimescaleDB has SQL and relational, InfluxDB faster for pure time-series
vs PostgreSQL: TimescaleDB optimized for time-series, much better performance
vs Prometheus: TimescaleDB long-term storage, Prometheus better for metrics scraping
Unique Strengths
PostgreSQL compatibility: Full SQL with time-series performance
Relational + time-series: JOIN time-series with reference data easily
Ecosystem access: Use all PostgreSQL tools and extensions
Compression: Store 20x more data than vanilla Postgres
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.