August 3, 2025 1 min read

PostgreSQL vs Redis: Choosing the Right Data Store

Decision

Depth: ●●○○○

When to use PostgreSQL, when to use Redis, and when to use both together.

PostgreSQL vs Redis: Choosing the Right Data Store

They solve different problems. Here's my decision framework.

PostgreSQL Excels At

1. ACID transactions - when data consistency is critical

2. Complex queries with JOINs

3. Long-term storage

4. Relational data with foreign keys

Redis Excels At

1. Caching frequently accessed data

2. Session storage

3. Real-time leaderboards and counters

4. Pub/sub for real-time features

The Hoop Almanac Architecture

We use both: PostgreSQL stores the canonical draft state. Redis caches active drafts and handles pub/sub for real-time updates. On reconnect, we reconcile Redis state with PostgreSQL.