I recommend one of two databases, and the choice depends on the shape of your data.
PostgreSQL: my default for business records#
PostgreSQL is a free, open-source database with decades of reliability behind it. It is the right choice when accuracy and relationships matter: customers who place orders, orders that contain products, invoices that must add up to the cent.
- Strong guarantees that data is never half-written
- Rules enforced by the database itself, not just by the app
- Powerful reporting with plain SQL, which almost any analyst can read
- Available fully managed on Google Cloud SQL
MongoDB: for flexible, fast-changing data#
MongoDB stores data as documents rather than rows. It fits content, catalogs, logs and data whose shape changes often, such as products where every category has different attributes.
- No migrations needed to add a new field
- A natural fit for JSON-heavy APIs
- Available fully managed through MongoDB Atlas on Google Cloud
Getting out of spreadsheets#
Many projects start with data that lives in Google Sheets or Excel. I map it, clean it and move it into a proper database. When it helps, the spreadsheet can stay as a live view of that data, so your team keeps the tool they know while the database keeps everything consistent.
For a deeper comparison, read PostgreSQL or MongoDB? A practical guide for small businesses.