PgBouncer

C tier on Database Proxy SoftwareScore 6.8 · #5 of 30

Android app: Not listed
Free plan: Yes
Runs on: Linux, self-hosted, Windows

pgbouncer.org

Summary

PgBouncer is a PostgreSQL connection pooler that reuses server connections to reduce the impact of opening new ones. It supports session, transaction, and statement pooling; statement pooling does not allow multi-statement transactions. PgBouncer can route to databases on different hosts, but it does not provide internal multi-host load balancing or failover detection. Its FAQ describes DNS round-robin or external TCP load balancers for distributing connections, and DNS reconfiguration or external tools for failover. The tool can track protocol-level prepared statements in transaction and statement modes when max_prepared_statements is non-zero. Documented authentication choices include client certificates, SCRAM-SHA-256, LDAP, PAM, and HBA-based configuration. PgBouncer is free and self-hosted, with source releases and references to native OS packages and dedicated RPM and Debian repositories. Building requires Libevent 2.0 or later, pkg-config, and a C11-capable compiler; OpenSSL is needed for TLS support. Windows operation is documented, with MinGW specified as the only supported Windows build environment.

Who it is for

PgBouncer suits PostgreSQL operators who want to reuse connections and can manage self-hosted software. Teams needing load balancing or failover must provide those capabilities through external tools or DNS arrangements.

What is good

Free, self-hosted PostgreSQL connection pooling.
Supports session, transaction, and statement modes.
Can route to databases on different hosts.
Documents several authentication options.
Source and native package options are listed.

What to know first

No internal multi-host load balancing.
No internal failover-host configuration or detection.
Statement pooling disallows multi-statement transactions.
Windows builds require MinGW.

Verdict

PgBouncer focuses on PostgreSQL connection reuse and offers multiple pooling modes. Plan for external load distribution or failover if those functions are required.

PgBouncer plans and pricing

All plans

PgBouncer Free Source release available · self-hosted software pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on database proxy software

Free plan: Yespgbouncer.org
Deployment model: self-hostedpgbouncer.org
Connection pooling: Yespgbouncer.org
Query routing: Nopgbouncer.org
Load balancing: Yespgbouncer.org
Automatic failover: Nopgbouncer.org
Supported databases: PostgreSQLpgbouncer.org

Facts

Purpose: PgBouncer is a PostgreSQL connection pooler that reuses server connections to reduce the performance impact of opening new connections.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Pooling modes: It supports session, transaction, and statement pooling, with statement pooling disallowing multi-statement transactions.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Memory: The features page lists default memory requirements of 2 kB per connection.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Backend hosts: PgBouncer can route to destination databases on different hosts and is not tied to one backend server.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Prepared statements: It can track protocol-level prepared statements in transaction and statement pooling when max_prepared_statements is non-zero.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Authentication: Documented authentication options include client certificates, SCRAM-SHA-256, LDAP, PAM, and HBA-based configuration.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
TLS: The installation documentation lists OpenSSL 1.0.1 or later as a build dependency for TLS support.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Operating systems: The installation page documents running PgBouncer on Windows and specifies MinGW as its only supported Windows build environment.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Build dependencies: Building requires Libevent 2.0 or later, pkg-config, and a C11-capable compiler; OpenSSL is needed for TLS support.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Integrations: Optional build integrations include PAM, LDAP, and systemd support.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Failover: PgBouncer does not provide internal failover-host configuration or detection; its FAQ describes DNS reconfiguration and external tools as options.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Release and security: The homepage says version 1.26.0, released September 23, 2026, fixes three denial-of-service CVEs.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026
Distribution: The downloads page offers source releases and points to native OS packages and dedicated RPM and Debian package repositories.pgbouncer.org · 3 Oct 2026