The best database proxies, according to hackers
4 database proxies were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 2 earn the Hacker Approved badge.
Top picks
The two most recommended database proxies with the badge. Each figure is 2 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Stable and battle-tested in production
Recommended as a transparent Postgres connection pooler that works without app changes. Caveat: it does not detect primary failure, and sharding still needs care.
Proven at large scale
Open-source MySQL sharding system that makes many servers look like one; praised as battle tested at scale. Caveat: sharding often requires redesigning schemas and shard keys.
All 4 database proxies, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same database proxy in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to database proxies that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.