PostgreSQL
Firebird

PostgreSQL to Firebird Converter

Move PostgreSQL data into a Firebird .fdb database or Firebird server with type-mapping review, saved sessions, and optional two-way sync.

PostgreSQL → Firebird migration usually means moving a PostgreSQL schema into a Firebird .fdb database or Firebird server for an embedded, desktop, or InterBase-compatible application.

DBConvert connects to PostgreSQL, managed PostgreSQL services, and Supabase and writes to a Firebird .fdb file or Firebird / InterBase server, creating tables, fields, indexes, primary keys, foreign keys, and supported views with per-table type review before the target is built. Generated keys, PostgreSQL-only types, array and JSON storage, and identifier policy are the parts that need a decision first.

  • DBConvert saves the job as a repeatable session for test loads, and DBSync keeps PostgreSQL and Firebird aligned during a staged cutover.

Which tool: DBConvert or DBSync?

DBConvert for PostgreSQL → Firebird

One-time migration or a repeatable saved session. Use it when Firebird is becoming the target database and you need schema creation, type mapping, row transfer, and test reruns in one desktop workflow.

DBSync for PostgreSQL ↔ Firebird

Staged cutover or recurring sync. Use it when PostgreSQL must keep running while Firebird is populated, validated, or read by a desktop application. Review synchronization concepts.

Need more context? Compare DBConvert and DBSync side by side →

How DBConvert handles the PostgreSQL → Firebird differences

DBConvert handles schema, mapping, and data transfer in the wizard. PostgreSQL-specific types, generated keys, arrays, JSON, identifiers, extensions, and procedural SQL still need a review before Firebird becomes the write target.

Generated keys

PostgreSQL serial, bigserial, identity columns, and standalone sequences map to Firebird identity columns or sequence-backed defaults depending on target version and policy.

PostgreSQL-only types

Arrays, ranges, enums, domains, network types, jsonb, and extension-backed types need a Firebird storage policy: text, lookup tables, normalized child tables, or application logic.

Charset and identifiers

PostgreSQL UTF8 text needs a Firebird character-set decision, and quoted mixed-case identifiers should be normalized or preserved consistently before application testing starts.

Application SQL cleanup

ILIKE, RETURNING, ON CONFLICT, DISTINCT ON, :: casts, array operators, JSON operators, and PostgreSQL functions do not run unchanged in Firebird SQL.

Procedural code boundary

DBConvert migrates tables, fields, supported views, indexes, and foreign keys. PL/pgSQL functions, triggers, rules, extension behavior, row-level security, and embedded application SQL remain a manual Firebird PSQL rewrite.

Type mapping checkpoints

PostgreSQL Firebird Notes
smallint / integer / bigint SMALLINT / INTEGER / BIGINT Direct for signed ranges.
numeric(p,s) DECIMAL(p,s) / NUMERIC(p,s) Preserve precision and scale.
uuid CHAR(36) or VARCHAR(36) Confirm whether the application expects text UUIDs.
text / varchar BLOB SUB_TYPE TEXT / VARCHAR Confirm Firebird character set and long-text storage.
bytea BLOB SUB_TYPE 0 Binary payloads should be sampled after import.
timestamp / timestamptz TIMESTAMP Review timezone assumptions before flattening timestamptz.
boolean BOOLEAN Direct on modern Firebird targets.
json / jsonb BLOB SUB_TYPE TEXT or VARCHAR Firebird is not a drop-in replacement for PostgreSQL JSON operators.
array, range, enum, domain policy-specific Usually text, lookup tables, normalized child tables, or inline column definitions.

PL/pgSQL objects and PostgreSQL security - out of scope

DBConvert's migration covers tables (with their fields, types, defaults, and indexes), views, and foreign keys. PL/pgSQL functions, triggers, rules, extensions, custom operators, row-level security, and grants stay in the source and are rewritten manually in Firebird PSQL - inventory them separately and rewrite them against the final Firebird schema.

Choosing the PostgreSQL → Firebird migration route

This direction is usually a compatibility or embedded-target project, so the route depends on whether the workload is mostly tables, recurring sync, or a PostgreSQL code rewrite.

Route Use it when Main limitation
DBConvert / DBSync You need a GUI workflow, saved sessions, table selection, type mapping review, direct Firebird output, or staged synchronization. PostgreSQL procedural code, extensions, and app SQL remain outside the migration tool.
Other desktop migration tools You want to compare a second wizard-based table-copy workflow for the same niche path. Feature coverage varies; validate Firebird version support, arrays, JSON, identity handling, and charset behavior.
Custom ETL or dump scripts The schema is small, the data shape is known, and engineers are comfortable writing Firebird DDL and loaders. You own type mapping, charset conversion, generated keys, load ordering, retries, and validation.
SQL conversion / rewrite project The main risk is PL/pgSQL, triggers, PostgreSQL extensions, reporting SQL, or application queries. Schema and data movement still need a separate migration or synchronization path.

Firebird target planning checklist

Lock down these choices before the final PostgreSQL export.

Firebird file or server

Decide whether the target is a standalone .fdb file, a Firebird server database, or an InterBase-compatible destination.

Generated key policy

Choose identity columns or sequence-backed defaults and validate the next value after the first load.

Special types

Sample arrays, JSON, UUIDs, long text, binary values, and timestamp columns before application testing.

Application SQL test cycle

Run real PostgreSQL queries against Firebird early. SQL dialect cleanup is often the real project.

Supported versions and services

PostgreSQL

  • PostgreSQL 8.x through 17.x
  • Amazon RDS / Aurora for PostgreSQL, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Google Cloud SQL, Supabase
  • PostgreSQL schemas (public, custom schemas)

Firebird

  • Firebird 2.x, 3.x, 4.x and InterBase
PostgreSQL

All PostgreSQL Tools

Other directions and pairs
Firebird

All Firebird Tools

Migration & sync options

Reverse Conversion

Firebird to PostgreSQL

DBConvert Studio

30+ databases · cloud · scheduled sync

Need more directions or unattended sync? One tool covers them all.

How to migrate PostgreSQL to Firebird

When launching the DBConvert or DBSync application in GUI mode, it guides you through the steps to start database migration or synchronization:

1

Connect to PostgreSQL source database

Specify the username/password and host/port parameters if your source database requires login credentials.

Connect to PostgreSQL source database from DBConvert

PostgreSQL source

Read from self-hosted PostgreSQL, Amazon RDS / Aurora for PostgreSQL, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, or Google Cloud SQL.

2

Connect to Firebird destination database

Specify parameters for the destination database similar to the source, defining connection settings and username/password pairs.

Connect to Firebird target database from DBConvert

Firebird target

Write to a Firebird .fdb file or server — Firebird target settings.

Steps 3-6: the same for every database pair

Source and target are connected - steps 1 and 2 above. What follows is identical whichever two databases you picked, so it lives in one place. Each step below opens at its own section.

Open the full guide

All four steps in one page, plus software features, command-line mode, scheduler, and system requirements.

See all features

More guides for PostgreSQL ↔ Firebird