InsForge vs Hosted Postgres

07 Jan 20264 minute
Hang Huang

Hang Huang

CEO & Co-Founder

Hosted Postgres services make it easy to run PostgreSQL in production without managing servers. InsForge builds on top of hosted Postgres by turning it into an agent operable backend platform. Instead of only providing a database endpoint, InsForge enables coding agents to provision, integrate, and operate the entire backend including authentication, storage, serverless logic, and AI integrations.

What is Hosted Postgres?

Hosted Postgres refers to managed PostgreSQL services offered by cloud platforms. These services provide a ready to use Postgres database with a secure connection and basic management features handled for you. Hosted Postgres focuses on delivering the database itself, while APIs, authentication, file storage, background jobs, and other backend components are built separately using additional services and custom code.

What is InsForge?

InsForge is an AI native backend platform built for agentic coding. It provides hosted Postgres as part of a complete backend system that also includes authentication, storage, serverless functions, deployment, and built in AI integrations. InsForge exposes backend state through an MCP server, giving AI coding agents structured access to schemas, permissions, logs, and services so they can provision and operate the backend automatically as part of the development workflow.

How are they similar?

Hosted Postgres services and InsForge both offer a managed PostgreSQL database suitable for production use. At the database layer, they share the same core capabilities:

  • A web UI for managing your database
  • SLAs and enterprise support packages on higher tiers
  • Direct SSL connections to Postgres
  • Support for Postgres extensions
  • Automated backups and point in time recovery
  • Postgres logs
  • Encryption at rest

In both cases, developers get access to a managed Postgres instance without running their own database servers.

What’s different?

While Hosted Postgres and InsForge overlap at the database layer, they differ significantly in scope and how backend systems are built and operated.

Core features

Hosted Postgres focuses on the raw database. InsForge provides additional backend primitives out of the box.

CapabilityHosted PostgresInsForge
Managed PostgresIncludedIncluded
Connection poolingExternal or optionalBuilt in
Auto generated APIsNot includedBuilt in
Realtime subscriptionsExternal setupBuilt in
AuthenticationExternal serviceBuilt in
AuthorizationApplication logicBuilt in policies
Serverless functionsExternal workersBuilt in
File storageExternal serviceBuilt in
AI integrationsExternal setupBuilt in
Schema management UIBasicIntegrated

Platform Responsibility

Using Hosted Postgres means developers are responsible for assembling and operating the backend around the database. InsForge takes responsibility for providing an integrated backend platform.

DimensionHosted PostgresInsForge
Backend assemblyDeveloper ownedPlatform provided
Service wiringManualBuilt in
Access controlImplemented in codeBuilt in policies
Default architectureFlexibleOpinionated
Failure handlingDeveloper responsibilityPlatform responsibility

Operator Model

Hosted Postgres assumes a human operated backend. InsForge is designed for agentic coding, where AI agents are first class backend operators. Instead of humans stitching together services, InsForge exposes backend context directly to agents so they can plan and execute backend operations safely.

DimensionHosted PostgresInsForge
Primary operatorHuman developersAI coding agents
ConfigurationSQL and manual toolingAgent executed operations
Backend contextSpread across tools and docsStructured and machine readable
Execution loopManualAgent driven
Human roleImplement and maintainDefine intent and review

Development Workflow

Hosted Postgres is typically one component in a larger stack. InsForge is designed for workflows where the backend is continuously provisioned and operated by coding agents.

Workflow stageHosted PostgresInsForge
Schema changesHuman authored migrationsAgent planned and executed
Service integrationApplication codeAgent coordinated
Backend operationsHuman drivenAgent driven
Human involvementOngoing implementationIntent definition and review

Conclusion

Hosted Postgres services provide a convenient way to run PostgreSQL without managing servers, but they focus narrowly on delivering the database. APIs, authentication, storage, and integrations must be assembled and maintained separately. InsForge is built for agentic coding workflows, providing a complete backend platform on top of hosted Postgres. By integrating backend primitives and exposing backend state as structured context, InsForge enables teams building with coding agents to ship production ready applications without manually wiring backend services.