🗄️ Databases Comparison
Neon vs PlanetScale
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
Last updated: 2026-01-31
Neon
Free tier, Pro from $19/mo
Strengths
- + Scales to zero on the free tier — no cost when your app has no traffic
- + Database branching for safe schema changes and testing
- + Generous free tier with 0.5 GB storage and autoscaling
Weaknesses
- − Cold starts on free tier add 1-2 seconds to the first query after inactivity
- − Newer service than established options like RDS or Supabase
- − Compute limits on free tier can bottleneck during traffic spikes
PlanetScale
From $39/mo (free tier discontinued)
Strengths
- + Database branching lets you test schema changes without touching production
- + Non-blocking schema migrations — no downtime during changes
- + Built on Vitess (the same technology that powers YouTube)
Weaknesses
- − Free tier was killed — $39/month minimum is steep for side projects
- − MySQL only — if you prefer Postgres, look at Neon or Supabase
- − No foreign key support in the default configuration (Vitess limitation)
The verdict
Which one is right for you?
Choose Neon if you want
- → Scales to zero on the free tier — no cost when your app has no traffic
- → Database branching for safe schema changes and testing
Choose PlanetScale if you want
- → Database branching lets you test schema changes without touching production
- → Non-blocking schema migrations — no downtime during changes
In depth
About each tool
Neon
Serverless Postgres that scales to zero — you only pay when your database is actually being used
Neon is Postgres that disappears when you are not using it. On the free tier, your database scales to zero during quiet periods and wakes up when a request comes in. This means a side project that gets occasional traffic costs nothing, not $39/month like PlanetScale.
The tradeoff is cold starts — that first query after a period of inactivity takes a second or two while the database wakes up. For APIs and web apps, this is usually fine. For real-time applications, it might matter. The branching feature is great for testing migrations safely. If you want Postgres without paying for idle time, Neon is the best option right now.
PlanetScale
Serverless MySQL with git-like branching for safe schema changes
PlanetScale brings git workflows to your database. Create a branch, change your schema, test it, then merge it into production with zero downtime. No more scary migration scripts run against your live database at 2 AM.
The big hit was losing the free tier in 2024 — it pushed many indie developers to alternatives like Neon and Supabase. At $39/month, PlanetScale is now aimed at production apps that need reliable MySQL with safe migrations. If you are still picking a database for a new project, Neon (Postgres, free tier) or Supabase (Postgres + extras, free tier) are more practical starting points.
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