How to Choose MySQL Over ParadeDB in PostgreSQL

Galaxy Glossary

Why use MySQL over ParadeDB?

Shows when and how to pick MySQL instead of ParadeDB, plus FDW-based integration steps from PostgreSQL.

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Description

Example H2

Example H3

Why might a PostgreSQL engineer pick MySQL instead of ParadeDB?

MySQL’s InnoDB engine excels at high-volume OLTP, low-latency reads, and straightforward replication. If your workload relies on short, indexed transactions and you need proven tools like Group Replication or Aurora MySQL, selecting MySQL keeps throughput predictable and operational cost low.

ParadeDB targets vector search and hybrid similarity queries. When your application is purely row-oriented and you can forgo ANN search in favor of simpler scaling, MySQL is the better choice.

How do I integrate MySQL into a PostgreSQL-centric stack?

Use the mysql_fdw extension so PostgreSQL can query MySQL tables without ETL. Create a foreign server, map credentials, then import the needed tables.

What is the exact setup flow?

1) CREATE EXTENSION mysql_fdw; 2) CREATE SERVER 3) CREATE USER MAPPING 4) IMPORT FOREIGN SCHEMA 5) Query the foreign tables. Each step is idempotent and scriptable for CI pipelines.

How can I query the Customers table from MySQL?

SELECT id, name, email FROM mysql_customers WHERE created_at > NOW() - INTERVAL '30 days';

Best practices for running both MySQL and PostgreSQL

Align time zones, collations, and character sets to avoid data mismatches. Store timestamps as UTC in both systems and monitor replica lag so cross-database JOINs stay consistent.

When is ParadeDB still the better option?

Choose ParadeDB when you need ANN vector search, hybrid filtering, or tight PostgreSQL type integration. It offers millisecond cosine similarity searches that MySQL cannot match today.

What mistakes should I avoid?

Do not assume MySQL’s FULLTEXT equals ParadeDB vectors—they solve different problems. Always benchmark with production-sized data before migrating and verify data types when using FDWs.

Why How to Choose MySQL Over ParadeDB in PostgreSQL is important

How to Choose MySQL Over ParadeDB in PostgreSQL Example Usage


SELECT c.id,
       c.name,
       SUM(oi.quantity) AS items_bought
FROM   mysql_customers   c
JOIN   mysql_orders      o  ON o.customer_id = c.id
JOIN   mysql_orderitems  oi ON oi.order_id = o.id
GROUP  BY c.id, c.name
ORDER  BY items_bought DESC
LIMIT  5;

How to Choose MySQL Over ParadeDB in PostgreSQL Syntax


-- 1. Install FDW
after creating superuser, run:
CREATE EXTENSION IF NOT EXISTS mysql_fdw;

-- 2. Define remote server
CREATE SERVER mysql_srv FOREIGN DATA WRAPPER mysql_fdw
OPTIONS (host 'mysql_host', port '3306');

-- 3. Map credentials
CREATE USER MAPPING FOR postgres
SERVER mysql_srv
OPTIONS (username 'ecom_user', password 'secret');

-- 4. Import ecommerce tables
IMPORT FOREIGN SCHEMA ecommerce
  LIMIT TO (Customers, Orders, Products, OrderItems)
  FROM SERVER mysql_srv INTO public;

Common Mistakes

Equating MySQL FULLTEXT search with ParadeDB’s vector indexes. FULLTEXT handles keyword matching, not cosine-similarity ANN. Benchmark both before deciding.
Ignoring data-type differences when querying MySQL via FDW. MySQL’s TINYINT(1) becomes boolean in PostgreSQL; mismatched casts can break joins. Cast explicitly.