PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is the default database for new projects. JSONB columns handle document-shaped data when you need it, full-text search covers most search requirements, and extensions like PostGIS and pgvector expand its capabilities without adding operational complexity.

The managed offerings — Amazon RDS, Supabase, Neon — make operations straightforward. You get ACID compliance, excellent query planning, and decades of battle-testing. Unless you have a specific reason to choose something else, start with PostgreSQL.