PostgreSQL Benchmark: AWS RDS vs Hostim vs Self-Hosted on Hetzner (2026)

PostgreSQL Benchmark: AWS RDS vs. Self-Hosted on Hetzner (2026)

I benchmarked PostgreSQL 16 across Hostim, AWS RDS, and a self-hosted Hetzner server with identical specs. Hostim delivered the fastest write speeds, while Hetzner won on raw read performance. Crucially, AWS RDS proved to be the slowest and most expensive option once hidden costs for storage and high availability were factored in, challenging the assumption that managed cloud services always offer the best value.

"Treat $48 as a floor, not a price."