# Managed PostgreSQL on Light Cloud

> PostgreSQL is the open-source relational database that most web frameworks and ORMs support first. Light Cloud creates a PostgreSQL 15 database next to your app, shared and ready in seconds or on an instance of its own, with a data explorer in the same console.

## PostgreSQL at a glance

- **Version:** PostgreSQL 15
- **Shared tier:** A private database on a pooled instance, ready in seconds, 1 to 10 GB. Belgium (`europe-west1`).
- **Dedicated tier:** An instance of its own, from 1 shared vCPU up to 4 vCPU and 15 GB of memory, 10 GB of storage to start
- **Connect:** A connection string on the Credentials tab, set as `DATABASE_URL`. TLS is required on the shared tier.
- **Data explorer:** Browse tables, run SQL, import a file, export a table or the whole database
- **Plans:** Lite ($5 a month) includes one shared database; Starter ($19) and up add dedicated ones. Not on Free.

## How to deploy PostgreSQL

1. **Create it.** From the console, the CLI or your AI assistant. Pick the shared tier or a dedicated instance.
2. **Ready.** A shared database is ready in seconds. Nothing to patch or back up by hand.
3. **Connect.** Copy the connection string from the Credentials tab into the app’s environment variables.
4. **Explore.** Browse tables, run SQL, import a file, or export a table or the whole database.

## Connect it from

- [Node.js](https://light-cloud.com/runtimes/nodejs): Node 22, 24 or 26
- [Python](https://light-cloud.com/runtimes/python): Python 3.10 to 3.14
- [Go](https://light-cloud.com/runtimes/go): One compiled binary
- [Java](https://light-cloud.com/runtimes/java): Maven or Gradle
- [Ruby](https://light-cloud.com/runtimes/ruby): Rack apps
- [PHP](https://light-cloud.com/runtimes/php): PHP 8.2 on Apache
- [.NET](https://light-cloud.com/runtimes/dotnet): .NET 8, 9 or 10
- [Docker](https://light-cloud.com/runtimes/docker): Your own Dockerfile

## Questions

### How do I create a PostgreSQL database?

In the console, open the project and add a database, or ask the CLI or your AI assistant to create one. A shared database is ready in seconds.

### Which PostgreSQL version is it?

PostgreSQL 15.

### How much does a PostgreSQL database cost?

A shared database uses $4 of usage a month. Lite ($5 a month) includes one shared database; Starter ($19 a month) and up add dedicated instances. The Free plan has no databases.

### How do I connect my app to it?

Copy the connection string from the Credentials tab and set it as DATABASE_URL in the app’s environment variables. Prisma, Drizzle, Django and most Node, Python and Go libraries read it. Keep sslmode=require: the shared tier requires TLS.

### What is the difference between shared and dedicated?

A shared database is a private database on a pooled instance: ready in seconds, 1 to 10 GB, 10 connections. A dedicated database is an instance of its own, sized from 1 shared vCPU up to 4 vCPU and 15 GB of memory.

### Can I import or export data?

Yes. The data explorer imports a file into a table and exports a table or the whole database, and the connection string works from psql on your laptop.

Docs: https://docs.light-cloud.com/platform/databases
Page: https://light-cloud.com/databases/postgresql
Create a PostgreSQL database: https://console.light-cloud.com/new?type=postgresql
Start free, no card: https://console.light-cloud.com/signup