psycopg-binary
PostgreSQL database adapter for Python -- C optimisation distribution
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are using the PostgreSQL adapter on a supported platform and want performance improvements. Install via `pip install "psycopg[binary]"` rather than directly. The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and is widely used (top 1000 on PyPI). The copyleft LGPL-3.0-only license requires compliance if you distribute derivative works. Verify your platform is supported before installing.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python >= 3.10 and pip >= 20.3.
- Binary wheels are platform-specific; not all platforms are supported—verify availability for your OS and architecture before installing.
- Medium install friction due to platform-specific binary wheels; active maintenance with recent release 105 days ago.
License · maintenance · safety
LGPL-3.0-only (copyleft) — Licensed under LGPL-3.0-only (copyleft). Derivative works and modifications must be distributed under the same license; proprietary applications must comply with copyleft obligations.
last release 2026-05-01 (105 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-01 · 2,475 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 109,644,165 downloads/mo, #321 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install "psycopg[binary]"
import psycopg
conn = psycopg.connect("dbname=mydb user=postgres")- Specific performance improvement magnitude from binary optimization compared to pure-Python version
- Complete list of supported platforms and architectures (documentation reference provided but not enumerated)
What it is and what it does
psycopg-binary is an optional compiled component providing C-level optimizations for the PostgreSQL database adapter. It should not be installed directly; instead, install via `pip install "psycopg[binary]"` to get a matching version of the optimization package.
The package is built as platform-specific binary wheels and requires Python >= 3.10 and pip >= 20.3. It has no runtime dependencies and is actively maintained. Not all platforms are supported, so verify compatibility for your operating system and architecture before installation.
Use it for
- Accelerate PostgreSQL query execution in production applications where database performance is a bottleneck
- Speed up bulk data operations and connection handling in high-throughput data pipelines
- Improve latency in web applications that make frequent database queries
- Optimize performance in data analysis workflows using PostgreSQL as a backend
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are using the PostgreSQL adapter on a supported platform and want performance improvements.
Install via `pip install "psycopg[binary]"` rather than directly. The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and is widely used (top 1000 on PyPI). The copyleft LGPL-3.0-only license requires compliance if you distribute derivative works. Verify your platform is supported before installing.
Install
psycopg-binary on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to platform-specific binary wheels; active maintenance with recent release 105 days ago. Requires pip >= 20.3 and is not available on all platforms—verify compatibility before installing.
Requires Python >= 3.10 and pip >= 20.3. Binary wheels are platform-specific; not all platforms are supported—verify availability for your OS and architecture before installing.
License in practice
Licensed under LGPL-3.0-only (copyleft). Derivative works and modifications must be distributed under the same license; proprietary applications must comply with copyleft obligations.
Quickstart
pip install "psycopg[binary]"
import psycopg
conn = psycopg.connect("dbname=mydb user=postgres")Verify before relying
- Specific performance improvement magnitude from binary optimization compared to pure-Python version
- Complete list of supported platforms and architectures (documentation reference provided but not enumerated)
Package facts
| License | LGPL-3.0-only copyleft |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 105 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 109,644,165 / month, #321 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXProgramming Language :: CythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonTopic :: DatabaseTopic :: Database :: Front-EndsTopic :: Software DevelopmentTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-manylinux2014_ppc64le.manylinux_2_17_ppc64le.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_38_riscv64.manylinux_2_39_riscv64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_ppc64le.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_riscv64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp311-cp311-manylinux2014_ppc64le.manylinux_2_17_ppc64le.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp311-cp311-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_38_riscv64.manylinux_2_39_riscv64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_ppc64le.whl; psycopg_binary-3.3.4-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_riscv64.whl
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See also psycopg-c · psycopg · psycopg-pool · psycopg2-binary · psycopg2 · types-psycopg2 · PyGreSQL · django-db-geventpool · aws-psycopg2 · sqlalchemy-cockroachdb