Ask HN: PostgreSQL or MySQL with Node.js?
In absolute terms, Postgres has more features and has been used at scale by Instagram, etc. while MySQL has a much bigger user base and has been used at scale by likes of Facebook, Quora, etc. But how about in combination with NodeJS?
Which is 1) more popular, 2) easier to setup, and 3) better for scaling out (not up)?
Are you using a specific back end framework or just plan old node?
I generally don't ask questions about databases like you are here but I have used both mysql and postgres with large node projects (as well as others!).
Popular: I would say this feels like a toss up. Both are pretty popular. I think they go back and forth on pure popularity. Both have strong communities. Mysql is "owned" by oracle so I guess you can take that into the popularity equation.
Easy to set up: again, a toss up. Both are relatively easy to set up initially. Both have a huge number of optional configurations depending on your needs. Anecdotally, mysql has a lot of engine options depending on needs. Out of the box, they are fairly similar on setup. Also fairly similar on node setup and configuration.
Scaling out: these are both RDBMS systems so scaling out is always an adventure. This has little to do with node and a ton more to do with your scaling needs. Both have the capability. Neither is easy.