Database
An honest comparison to help you pick the right database tool in 2026.
| Feature | Neon | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Database | Database |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Paid Plan | $19/mo | $39/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
| Best For | Developers who want serverless Postgres that scales to zero and only charges for usage | Teams who need production MySQL with git-like branching and zero-downtime schema migrations |
| Feature 1 | Serverless Postgres | MySQL compatible |
| Feature 2 | Autoscaling | Database branching |
| Feature 3 | Database branching | Non-blocking schema changes |
| Feature 4 | Scale to zero | Vitess scaling |
| Feature 5 | Connection pooling | Query insights |
| Website | Neon | PlanetScale |
Neon and PlanetScale are both popular choices in the database category, but they serve different types of developers. Neon is serverless Postgres with autoscaling, branching, and scale-to-zero that only charges for actual compute usage. Meanwhile, PlanetScale is serverless MySQL platform with branching, non-blocking schema changes, and Vitess-powered horizontal scaling.
One key difference is accessibility: Neon offers a free tier, while PlanetScale requires a paid plan starting at $39/mo. This makes Neon a better starting point for solo developers and small teams exploring database options.
Neon stands out with Serverless Postgres and Autoscaling, while PlanetScale differentiates itself through MySQL compatible and Non-blocking schema changes. The right choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow. Ultimately, developers who want serverless Postgres that scales to zero and only charges for usage, while PlanetScale is best for teams who need production MySQL with git-like branching and zero-downtime schema migrations.
Neon: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $19/mo. Enterprise pricing: Custom.
PlanetScale: No free tier. Paid plans start at $39/mo. Enterprise pricing: Custom.
Choose Neon if you value serverless postgres and autoscaling. Go with PlanetScale if teams who need production MySQL with git-like branching and zero-downtime schema migrations. Both are solid database options in 2026 — the best pick depends on your team size, budget, and technical requirements. We recommend trying both (especially if they have free tiers) before committing to one.
Not sold on either Neon or PlanetScale? Check out these other database tools:
See all Neon alternatives or PlanetScale alternatives.
Read more about database on our Apps page.
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