pgx vs sqlc
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A Go library for connecting to and querying PostgreSQL databases.
Open source · MIT
Turns your SQL queries into type-safe code for Go, Python, Kotlin and more.
The short answer
Choose pgx if you need…
- Go developers building services that only use PostgreSQL
- Teams that need PostgreSQL-specific features like LISTEN/NOTIFY or COPY
- Projects that want a built-in connection pool (pgxpool)
- Developers building proxies, load balancers, or replication clients on the wire protocol
Choose sqlc if you need…
- Go developers who prefer writing plain SQL over using an ORM
- Teams that want database query mistakes caught when generating code rather than at runtime
- Projects using Python, Kotlin or TypeScript that want generated query code via the listed sqlc-gen plugins
Side-by-side
| pgx | sqlc | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Dev tool |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 14.4k | 18.4k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | See the README |
| Main language | Go | Go |
| Last code update | 6 days ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
pgx
pgx is a pure Go driver and toolkit for PostgreSQL. It lets Go programs connect to a PostgreSQL database, run queries, and use PostgreSQL-specific features such as LISTEN/NOTIFY and COPY. It also includes an adapter for Go's standard database/sql interface, and lower-level packages for working with the PostgreSQL wire protocol and type mapping.
sqlc
sqlc is a tool that reads the SQL queries you write and generates code in your programming language with type-safe functions for running them. You write the SQL yourself, run sqlc, and then call the generated functions from your application. The README says it works with PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite, though the list of supported databases is not shown in the excerpt provided.
Best for
pgx
- Go developers building services that only use PostgreSQL
- Teams that need PostgreSQL-specific features like LISTEN/NOTIFY or COPY
- Projects that want a built-in connection pool (pgxpool)
- Developers building proxies, load balancers, or replication clients on the wire protocol
sqlc
- Go developers who prefer writing plain SQL over using an ORM
- Teams that want database query mistakes caught when generating code rather than at runtime
- Projects using Python, Kotlin or TypeScript that want generated query code via the listed sqlc-gen plugins
Strengths
pgx
- Exposes PostgreSQL-specific features such as LISTEN/NOTIFY and COPY
- Includes a database/sql compatibility adapter, so existing code can adopt it gradually
- Documented on pkg.go.dev with separate packages for the base driver, pool, and adapter
sqlc
- Queries stay in readable SQL that you control directly
- Generated code gives type-safe interfaces to your queries
- Supports multiple output languages through official and plugin generators
Not ideal for
pgx
- Projects that need to support multiple databases through database/sql, because pgx's native interface is PostgreSQL-only
- Non-Go projects, since this is a Go library
- Beginners with no Go experience, since the README assumes familiarity with Go and database APIs
sqlc
- People who want to avoid writing SQL entirely, since the workflow starts with hand-written queries
- Projects needing a language not covered by the listed generators, unless they build or find a community plugin, because the README only says more languages can be added via plugins
Trade-offs
pgx
- Its native interface is PostgreSQL-only, so it is not a drop-in choice for multi-database code
- Requires Go 1.25+ and PostgreSQL 14+ per the README's support policy
- Using the database/sql adapter gives up some of the faster native interface
sqlc
- You must maintain the SQL and regenerate code whenever queries or schema change
- The excerpt does not show the full list of supported databases or language features, so check the documentation before adopting it
Getting started
sqlc
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/sqlc-dev/sqlcFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between pgx and sqlc?
pgx: A Go library for connecting to and querying PostgreSQL databases. sqlc: Turns your SQL queries into type-safe code for Go, Python, Kotlin and more. pgx suits go developers building services that only use postgresql, while sqlc suits go developers who prefer writing plain sql over using an orm.
Are pgx and sqlc free?
pgx: Free and open source. sqlc: Free and open source.
Is pgx or sqlc more popular?
sqlc has more GitHub stars (18.4k) than pgx (14.4k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to pgx and sqlc?
Other options people compare them with include GORM, sqlx, GraphQL Code Generator.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.