LATERAL can be expensive (executes per row). Index columns in LATERAL subquery. Compare with window functions. Test with EXPLAIN.

Index columns in LATERAL subquery

Limit rows in LATERAL subquery

Compare with window functions

Filter outer query to reduce executions

Use EXPLAIN to analyze

Not indexing LATERAL subquery columns

Using LATERAL when window functions sufficient

Not limiting rows in LATERAL subquery

Forgetting database-specific syntax

Not testing performance