Django & PostgreSQL: Performance, Relations and Tricks

By NSLTD | Published on June 25, 2025

Databases

Why PostgreSQL Is Django’s Best Friend

PostgreSQL is Django’s preferred database for a reason: it’s powerful, scalable, and supports advanced features like full-text search, JSON fields, and custom indexing.

Optimizing Model Relations

• Use ForeignKey and ManyToManyField wisely: Normalize your models, but avoid over-nesting.
• Use select_related for ForeignKey to reduce queries.
• Use prefetch_related for ManyToMany or reverse relations.

Performance Tips

• Use indexes for frequently filtered fields with db_index=True
• Define composite indexes using Meta.indexes
• Use .only() and .defer() to limit loaded fields
• Profile queries with Django Debug Toolbar

PostgreSQL Superpowers

• JSONField: Store semi-structured data directly in your models
• ArrayField: Store multiple values in one field—great for tags or lists
• Full-Text Search: Combine SearchVector and SearchQuery for smart querying
• Database functions: Use expressions like TruncMonth, F, and Window

PostgreSQL turns Django into a data powerhouse when used properly. Clean schema design + query optimization = blazing performance.

“Don’t just store data. Master it.”