Strapi has rapidly become one of the most popular open‑source headless
CMS platforms, thanks to its flexibility, developer‑friendly
architecture, and powerful API‑driven design. Whether you're building a
website, mobile application, or complex web platform, Strapi gives you
the freedom to choose your database, customize your backend, and manage
your content effortlessly.

But one question developers often ask is:

"What database does Strapi use?"

In this in‑depth guide, we'll explore all the databases Strapi supports,
how Strapi interacts with them, when to choose one over the other, and
what this means for your project's scalability and performance.
We'll also cover database configuration, migration considerations, and
best practices for choosing the right database for your Strapi project.

And if you're looking to build a custom enterprise‑grade Strapi project,
remember you can hire AAMAX, a full‑service digital marketing and
development company offering Web Development, Digital Marketing, SEO,
and expert MERN Stack Development services.

Why Strapi Doesn't Lock You Into a Database

Most CMS platforms force you into using one specific database. This
limits scalability, performance tuning, and flexibility in future
migrations.

Strapi, however, takes a modern, developer‑focused approach:

• It is database‑agnostic
• It provides an abstraction layer through its database connectors
• You can switch between SQL and NoSQL options depending on your use
  case
• It provides built‑in ORM‑like functionality to manage data

This flexibility is one of the reasons Strapi is so widely adopted in
the JAMstack and enterprise development space.

Databases Supported by Strapi

As of the latest stable versions, Strapi supports the following
databases:

1. SQLite

SQLite is the default database Strapi uses when you create a new project
in development mode. It's lightweight, file‑based, and requires zero
configuration.

Best for

• Prototyping
• Small‑scale projects
• Local development

Pros

• Easy setup
• No server needed
• Very fast for local development

Cons

• Not suitable for large production environments
• Limited concurrency

2. PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is widely considered the best production database for Strapi.
It is powerful, stable, and fully open‑source.

Best for

• Large‑scale applications
• High‑traffic APIs
• Enterprise systems

Pros

• Advanced indexing
• Great performance
• Strong ACID compliance
• Robust JSON and relational capabilities

Cons

• Requires a server and configuration
• More complex than SQLite

3. MySQL

MySQL is another relational database supported by Strapi. It's easy to
use and widely used in many existing infrastructures.

Best for

• Medium to large‑scale apps
• Teams already using MySQL

Pros

• Reliable
• Easy to manage
• Large community

Cons

• Some limitations in JSON handling compared to PostgreSQL
• Replication can be more complex

4. MariaDB

MariaDB is a community‑driven fork of MySQL with enhanced performance
and features.

Best for

• Startups
• Applications requiring performance improvements over MySQL

Pros

• Faster than traditional MySQL in many cases
• Drop‑in replacement for MySQL

Cons

• Some features may differ from MySQL

5. MongoDB (Deprecated in Strapi v4 and above)

Strapi originally supported MongoDB, but this support was removed in
Strapi v4 due to major architectural changes.

Why MongoDB was removed

• Complications in maintaining two different database paradigms
• Major internal refactoring required
• Inconsistent feature support
• Significantly higher maintenance overhead

Current status

MongoDB is not supported in Strapi v4+.
If you need NoSQL, you're currently required to use Strapi v3 or fork
the project.

Strapi Database Architecture: How It Works

Strapi interacts with databases using a Database Query Engine, which
acts as the communication layer between your Strapi app and the
underlying database.

Key components include:

• Models -- Define structure of content types
• Query Engine -- Translates Strapi queries into SQL
• Migrations -- Based on content‑type changes
• Connectors -- Provide compatibility for supported databases

This modular setup is what allows Strapi to remain future‑proof and
database‑agnostic.

Choosing the Right Database for Your Strapi Project

Selecting the best database depends on factors like scalability,
performance, cost, and the complexity of your data.

Here is a breakdown:

Choose SQLite if:

• You're building a prototype
• You're in early development
• You want a database that runs instantly

Choose PostgreSQL if:

• You need the best overall performance
• You're building an enterprise solution
• Your data is relational, complex, or large
• You need advanced indexing and query capabilities

Choose MySQL or MariaDB if:

• You already have MySQL infrastructure
• Your team is familiar with MySQL
• Your architecture is designed around MySQL clusters

How to Configure a Database in Strapi

Strapi stores database configuration in:

/config/database.js

Example: PostgreSQL configuration

module.exports = ({ env }) => ({
  connection: {
    client: 'postgres',
    connection: {
      host: env('DATABASE_HOST', '127.0.0.1'),
      port: env.int('DATABASE_PORT', 5432),
      database: env('DATABASE_NAME', 'strapi'),
      user: env('DATABASE_USERNAME', 'your_user'),
      password: env('DATABASE_PASSWORD', 'your_password'),
      ssl: env.bool('DATABASE_SSL', false),
    },
  },
});

Example: SQLite configuration

module.exports = ({ env }) => ({
  connection: {
    client: 'sqlite',
    connection: {
      filename: env('DATABASE_FILENAME', './data.db'),
    },
    useNullAsDefault: true,
  },
});

Can You Switch Databases Later?

Yes --- but with caveats.

Migrating databases in Strapi involves:

• Exporting your content types
• Exporting your data
• Adjusting configuration files
• Importing into the new database

Because different databases handle relationships and indexing
differently, manual cleanup is sometimes required.

Database Performance Tips for Strapi

To optimize Strapi performance:

1. Use PostgreSQL for Large Projects

Its performance, JSON support, and indexing make it the top choice.

2. Enable Caching

Implement Redis caching for performance boosts.

3. Use a Load Balancer

For high‑traffic deployments, distribute load across multiple servers.

4. Use a Managed Database

Services like AWS RDS or DigitalOcean Managed Databases simplify
maintenance.

Strapi in the MERN Stack: Where Does the Database Fit?

Strapi isn't a traditional part of the MERN stack, but it integrates
seamlessly with React or Next.js as the front end.

Strapi handles:

• API generation
• Authentication
• Data modeling
• Role-based permissions
• Content management

The database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.) sits behind Strapi, powering your
content API.

If you're building a custom MERN or extended full-stack solution,
AAMAX can help architect, develop, and deploy your system
professionally.

Final Thoughts

Strapi's database‑agnostic nature is one of its biggest strengths.
Whether you're building a simple website or a large enterprise‑level
application, Strapi supports the flexibility you need.
With options like SQLite, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MariaDB, you can choose
a database that perfectly fits your project's size, complexity, and
performance needs.

If you're planning to build a scalable Strapi‑powered application,
consider hiring AAMAX --- experts in MERN Stack Development, web
development, SEO, and digital marketing --- to ensure your project is
built with best‑in‑class architecture and long‑term scalability.