# How to copy large Postgres databases in seconds

DevFeed: [How to copy large Postgres databases in seconds](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/how-to-copy-large-postgres-databases-in-seconds-5382.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://neon.com/blog/how-to-copy-large-postgres-databases-in-seconds>)

Author: Carlota Soto

Published: 2024-03-04T17:24:38Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Blog -- Neon Docs](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/blog-neon-docs.md>)

Topics: [Databases](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/databases.md>), [Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/development.md>), [Testing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/testing.md>), [data](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/data.md>), [Replication](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/replication.md>)

Tags: [backups](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/backups.md>), [consistency](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/consistency.md>), [databases](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/databases.md>), [fork](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/fork.md>), [how-to](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/how-to.md>), [migrations](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/migrations.md>), [postgres](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/postgres.md>), [product](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/product.md>), [production](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/production.md>), [replication](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/replication.md>), [storage](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/storage.md>), [testing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/testing.md>), [upgrade](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/upgrade.md>)

## AI overview

The article explains why conventional methods for copying large Postgres databases become slow, resource-intensive, or costly, and presents Neon database branching as an alternative. Branching uses copy-on-write to create immediate copies while allocating additional storage only when the branch diverges.

## Source excerpt

If you're running Postgres in production, you'll most likely be handling database copies not only as backups but also for creating development and testing environments that replicate production settings. Database copies also play a key role in preparing for migrations and upgrade...