🗄️ Databases Comparison
PlanetScale vs Supabase
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
Last updated: 2026-01-31
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)
Supabase
Free tier, Pro from $25/mo
Strengths
- + Full Postgres database, not a proprietary system — your data, your queries
- + Auth, file storage, edge functions, and real-time included at no extra cost
- + Free tier includes 500MB database and 1GB file storage
Weaknesses
- − Some features (like edge functions) are still maturing compared to Firebase
- − Free tier pauses inactive projects after 7 days
- − Less hand-holding than Firebase — you need to know some SQL
The verdict
Which one is right for you?
Choose PlanetScale if you want
- → Database branching lets you test schema changes without touching production
- → Non-blocking schema migrations — no downtime during changes
Choose Supabase if you want
- → Full Postgres database, not a proprietary system — your data, your queries
- → Auth, file storage, edge functions, and real-time included at no extra cost
In depth
About each tool
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.
Supabase
Postgres database with built-in auth, storage, and real-time — the open-source Firebase alternative
Supabase gives you a real Postgres database with the convenience of Firebase. Set up a project, and you immediately get a database, auth system, file storage, edge functions, and real-time subscriptions. No piecing together separate services.
The free tier is enough to build and test a real product. The Pro tier at $25/month gives you a production-ready setup. The key advantage over Firebase: it is Postgres under the hood. Your queries are standard SQL, and you can migrate your data to any Postgres host if you ever want to leave. That data portability is worth a lot for a solo founder building something long-term.
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