PostgreSQL maximum connections based on api call or single app to db connection?

Question

I'm using ElephantSQL's tiny turtle plan (5 concurrent connections). By "concurrent connections" does this mean when the application opens the connection (I'm using Gorm so gorm.Open()) on app startup, or does it mean on a per-query-basis?

I've sort-of narrowed it down, when making multiple async API calls I sometimes get the error (pq: too many connections for role "x"), so this leads me to think that the culprit is too many async API calls at once. However, I've also read that it is on an app-connection basis, such as using gorm.Open() to open the connection.

Just wanted some clarification in case I'm mismanaging my connections. Should also say that I've only used gorm.Open() once during app startup.

Thanks!

Answer 1

A connection is a TCP connection between your application and the PostgreSQL database (ElephantSQL). FAQ: https://www.elephantsql.com/docs/faq.html#What_is_a_connection It is concurrent (active) connections you have, which is specified on the pricing page. You can view (and terminate) connections on the Stats page.