Self-Service vs. Managed Databases: Key Differences Explained

Driving growth and innovation with the right database management system

What is the difference between fully managed and self-service databases? When selecting a database management system (DBMS), there are many choices available. Alongside your cloud strategy, one of the most important decisions you will face is your DBMS management strategy: whether managed or self-service.

While some businesses know immediately which option they prefer, others may find the decision more complex. After all, your choice of database management forms the foundation of your organization, and how that database is managed will influence your ability to innovate and grow. Therefore, when adopting a management approach, it’s crucial that your IT leaders consider the specific needs of your enterprise, the capacity of your teams, and the potential challenges ahead.

It may sound dramatic, but your answer to the question of “managed vs. self-service” could dictate your success or failure.

Self-Service Databases: What They Are and How You Benefit

Let’s start with self-service (sometimes called “self-managed”) databases. They are exactly what their name implies. With a self-service database management system (DBMS), your organization is responsible for everything from updates and patches to installing extensions.

What primarily attracts enterprises to self-service databases is the promise of complete freedom – which makes a lot of sense right now. EDB has written extensively about the mass migration away from Oracle and other legacy database providers. Much of this shift is driven by frustrations with rising costs, restrictive contracts, vendor lock-in, and the growing feeling that you don’t have full control over your own data. A self-managed DBMS serves as the perfect solution to these issues – every part of your architecture is yours to design, and your developers have no limitations on integrating the tools they need to build your solutions. If you’re an open source strategy purist with the necessary resources, the idea of a self-service database can feel like a dream come true.

However, many organizations that choose a self-service platform strategy quickly realize that this freedom comes with significant responsibilities. The expansive freedom offered by the self-service model might seem appealing at first, but all the associated responsibilities can quickly complicate the perceived benefits. Here are a few points to consider:

• It’s free: While you don’t receive a bill for your subscription with a self-service database, it’s not free. You might need to hire a DBA to ensure constant proactive maintenance or invest in a separate support contract from a legacy provider. Without these, you must manage your infrastructure and address unplanned downtime on your own.
• I can do whatever I want: Absolutely – in theory. However, your organization will need to devote significant resources to managing and maintaining the database. Under different circumstances, these resources might have gone to ambitious initiatives your developers and architects had in mind. You might now have to put those initiatives on hold to keep your DBMS operational.
• My growth is unrestricted: Although you no longer must deal with legacy database licenses, your growth is now limited by other factors – mainly your budget. Unless you have infinite resources, unrestricted growth is going to be hard to achieve. Scaling a database requires work, time, and money. While you may avoid paying Oracle for the opportunity to grow, you will still need to spend. And without guidance, understanding where to invest for scalability can be difficult.

To be clear, self-service databases are not bad. If you have the resources and technical expertise to confidently manage your own infrastructure, they may provide many freedoms you might not find elsewhere. However, before choosing a self-service platform, it is essential to assess your capacity to handle the associated responsibilities and risks. Additionally, research whether your goals with the DBMS truly require a self-managed environment.

Managed Databases: What They Are and How You Benefit

A managed database (often referred to as “fully managed”) is one where administration is the responsibility of the managed service provider. Many of the tasks your IT team would handle in a self-service model – such as updating and patching – are managed by your provider.

It's important to note that not all managed service provider databases are created equal. Some, such as Oracle, impose heavy restrictions on the tools your organization can integrate, limit your ability to adopt modern architectural strategies like hybrid or multi-cloud, and constrain how you leverage your own assets. Because of these limitations, many enterprises are understandably skeptical of managed databases. However, it’s crucial to recognize that these restrictions vary among managed DBMS providers and often distract from the genuine benefits these solutions offer.

Here are the most common benefits of managed databases:

• Predictable pricing: While managed databases come with a subscription fee, this cost remains stable compared to the fluctuating and unpredictable expenses of a self-service database, which can arise from outages and maintenance issues. A reputable managed database provider will offer complete transparency on what you're being charged, including additional fees and potential changes to your bill. This way, you always know what you're paying and that you're getting value for your investment.
• Support and technical expertise: A self-service model requires your teams to learn the intricacies of your new database or necessitates hiring expensive DBA talent. In contrast, managed databases come with experts who specialize in your DBMS. They are always available to assist you with maintenance issues, and, more importantly, their continuous monitoring of the solution means they are more likely to detect and prevent problems before they become significant inconveniences.
• A foundation to grow from: Self-service databases can hinder growth and scalability by consuming resources meant for innovation. Managed databases, however, allow you to conserve and allocate those resources effectively since management and maintenance are no longer your responsibility. Additionally, access to database specialists provides valuable insights and advice that can help you evolve efficiently.

Does a managed database restrict your freedom in the long run? The answer isn’t as straightforward as many think.

Building an entirely unique architecture from scratch, without constraints, might seem appealing to your IT and infrastructure teams who value complete autonomy. However, consider the advantages that managed databases offer, especially for developers who are responsible for advancing your applications.

With the right service provider, embracing a managed database doesn't mean sacrificing your freedom for convenience. Instead, you're gaining the support needed to help you reach your full potential while ensuring reliable performance and scalability.

Fully Managed Postgres is an Innovator’s Dream Database

For those seeking both the flexibility of open source and the robust infrastructure of fully managed service providers, fully managed Postgres databases are ideal. They eliminate the restrictive business practices of legacy solutions like Oracle and connect your developers, architects, and IT leaders directly with the experts who built Postgres from the ground up.

At EDB, we ensure that organizations of all sizes have access to modern database systems that help them achieve their highest goals. As the largest contributor of major features to Postgres, we understand that Postgres is the modern database solution.

With offerings like EDB Postgres Advanced Server and EDB Postgres® AI Cloud Service, we are excited to help enterprises fully harness the power of managed Postgres, whether you're choosing between on-premises versus cloud deployment. Moreover, if open source Community Postgres fits your organization's needs better, EDB Community 360 offers enterprise-grade support without requiring an enterprise Postgres plan – providing self-service with expert assistance when needed.

You deserve a database that works for you, and EDB is here to support your journey.

Fully managed Postgres in the cloud is transforming businesses for the modern age. Experience it for yourself and test drive EDB Postgres® AI Cloud Service!