MongoDB vs MySQL Tradeoffs

Q&A: Why use MongoDB instead of MySQL in a project? What are the general tradeoffs between MongoDB (document/NoSQL) and MySQL (relational), and when should you use one over the other?

MongoDB offers a flexible, schema-less document model, easier horizontal scaling, and fits nested/evolving data well. MySQL offers strong ACID transactions, native joins, and mature relational tooling, and fits highly structured/relational data with complex multi-table queries. The right choice depends on access patterns, consistency requirements, and how often the schema changes.