intro
Let’s explore the world of NewSQL, an evolution of SQL that combines the best of traditional relational databases with the pros of NoSQL.
If you have worked in IT in recent years, you have probably heard of SQL and NoSQL. Actually, chances are that you have even used both regularly—even on a daily basis. But are you familiar with NewSQL, the emerging paradigm in the database world? Read this article to learn more about it!
What Is NewSQL?
NewSQL is a class of modern relational database management systems (RDBMS) that incorporate the best of both traditional SQL and NoSQL databases. In detail, this new database paradigm tries to achieve two things:
NewSQL systems are particularly well-suited for OLTP (OnLine Transaction Processing) workloads. If you are not familiar with that, OLTP refers to systems optimized for handling large volumes of short, real-time transactional operations.
The OLTP model is commonly employed in high-demand applications like banking, finance, and e-commerce, where speed and reliability are key. Learn more in our guide on OLTP vs OLAP.
In short, NewSQL bridges the gap between the consistency of traditional SQL databases and the scalability of NoSQL systems.
From SQL to NoSQL to NewSQL: The History Behind the Evolution of Databases
The evolution of databases reflects the changing needs of applications and the growing scale at which they operate.
It all began with SQL in the late 1970s, introduced alongside the rise of relational database management systems such as Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL. These database systems followed a structured schema and emphasized ACID properties to guarantee data integrity. Initially, SQL databases primarily powered enterprise applications that required the management of structured data.
However, the Internet grew rapidly, with web applications scaling to millions of users. Also, Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0 became popular, highlighting the need to handle vast amounts of data per minute. Traditional SQL databases, which were not optimized for horizontal scalability—the ability to distribute data and workloads across multiple servers—began to show their limitations. This growing need for flexibility, especially in handling unstructured and semi-structured data, gave rise to NoSQL databases in the mid-to-late 2000s.
NoSQL systems like MongoDB traded rigid schemas and some ACID guarantees for flexibility and speed. These databases adopt the BASE model (Basically Available, Soft state, Eventually Consistent), which allows you to store and query data in a variety of formats while enabling easier horizontal scaling across distributed systems.
Now, while NoSQL works well for use cases like analytics, caching, and content-heavy applications, its relaxed consistency model made it less suitable for transactional systems like banking or inventory management. To address that, many SQL databases began adding support for JSON to handle more flexible data structures.
In response to these evolving needs, a new contender emerged: NewSQL. The idea here is to get the scalability of NoSQL while maintaining the strong consistency of SQL. Essentially, it addresses the industry's core demand for scalable, reliable, and consistent databases in the increasingly cloud-native world.
What Makes NewSQL Unique
Below are the main aspects that characterize NewSQL:
SQL vs NoSQL vs NewSQL: A Complete Comparison
| Feature | SQL | NoSQL | NewSQL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Model | Relational | Non-relational (varies: key-value, document, graph, etc.) | Relational |
| Querying language | SQL | Custom query languages (e.g., MongoDB's query language) | SQL (with extensions for distributed systems) |
| High availability | Custom | Auto | Built-in |
| Scalability | Vertical (adding resources to a single server) | Horizontal (across multiple nodes) | Vertical + Horizontal |
| Consistency | Strong consistency (ACID) | Eventual consistency (BASE) | Strong consistency (ACID) |
| Transaction Support | Full ACID compliance | Limited ACID compliance (varies) | Full ACID compliance |
| OLTP | Supported with some performance limitations | Limited to no support | Full support |
| Best for | Transactional applications (e.g., banking) | Big data, flexible applications (e.g., social media, real-time analytics) | High transaction volumes, real-time applications (e.g., e-commerce) |
| Examples | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle | MongoDB, Cassandra, Couchbase | NuoDB, CockroachDB, ActorDB |
Now that you have seen a high-level comparison between SQL, NoSQL, and NewSQL, let’s dive into them one by one.
SQL vs NewSQL
SQL systems are built for reliable, consistent data with full ACID compliance but are constrained by their vertical scalability. NewSQL builds on SQL’s strengths, offering horizontal scaling without sacrificing consistency or reliability. That makes it a great choice for high-volume applications that need the robustness of SQL with the scalability of distributed systems.
NoSQL vs NewSQL
NoSQL offers flexibility and scalability. It is also optimized for unstructured data but often sacrifices consistency. On the other hand, NewSQL achieves the scalability and performance of NoSQL with the strong consistency and ACID compliance of traditional relational databases, making it ideal for high-transaction workloads where data integrity is a top concern.
Top NewSQL Databases to Know
This is a list of some of the most popular NewSQL databases (in random order):
Conclusion
In this article, you learned what NewSQL is, how it came about, how it works, and what makes it unique compared to traditional SQL and NoSQL systems. Regardless of the database you choose for your application, it is always recommended to manage it with a top-tier, professional, full-featured visual tool like DbVisualizer. This database client supports over 50 databases, including some NewSQL options. Download it for free today!
FAQ
When was the term "NewSQL" first introduced?
The term “NewSQL” was introduced in 2011 by Matt Aslett, an analyst at 451 Research. It describes a new generation of databases that don’t fit the traditional relational model but also differ from the NoSQL approach.
What is the difference between NewSQL vs Distributed SQL?
NewSQL is a specific class of relational databases while distributed SQL refers specifically to the architecture. Generally, all Distributed SQL databases can be considered NewSQL, while not all NewSQL systems use a fully distributed architecture. Thus, the key difference lies in the focus:
What are the main challenges behind NewSQL?
NewSQL databases can be complex to manage due to their distributed nature. They also lack the mature tooling and community support found in long-established RDBMS platforms. As a newer technology, operational overhead and ecosystem limitations are common concerns for early adopters.
What is the main advantage of NewSQL over traditional SQL?
NewSQL’s biggest advantage is horizontal scalability. It allows databases to scale across multiple servers while still delivering fast transaction processing and full ACID compliance—something traditional SQL databases struggle with at a large scale.
Can NewSQL databases replace traditional RDBMS?
NewSQL can complement but not always replace traditional RDBMS. It’s better suited for modern, high-scale applications. For simpler or legacy systems, traditional RDBMS might still be more practical due to familiarity, tooling, and community support.
