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Updated May 2, 2026Databases Comparison
PlanetScale vs Neon Comparison
A detailed comparison of PlanetScale and Neon.
P
PlanetScale
The world's most advanced serverless MySQL platform.
Primary Task
Serverless MySQL
Pricing
PaidKey Features
- Horizontal Sharding
- Non-blocking Schema Changes
- Branching
N
Neon
Serverless Postgres. Built for the Cloud.
Primary Task
Serverless Postgres
Pricing
FreemiumKey Features
- Serverless
- Branching
- Autoscaling
At a Glance
| Feature | PlanetScale | Neon |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Task | Serverless MySQL | Serverless Postgres |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Founded | 2018 | 2021 |
| Open Source | ||
| Database Type | Multi-model | Multi-model |
| Realtime | N/A | N/A |
| Built-in Auth | ||
| Self-Hostable | N/A | N/A |
Pros & Cons
P
PlanetScale
Strengths
- Horizontal scaling
- Non-blocking schema changes
- Branching
Limitations
- No foreign keys
- Pricing changes
- MySQL only
N
Neon
Strengths
- Serverless Postgres
- Branching workflows
- Scale to zero
Limitations
- Slower initial response on free tier (Cold starts)
Final Decision
The Verdict
Both tools are excellent. Here's how to choose the right one for your project.
P
Choose PlanetScale
Best for
- Strong Horizontal Sharding capabilities
- Paid pricing model
- Serverless MySQL workflows
N
Choose Neon
Best for
- Serverless focused projects
- Freemium approach
- Serverless Postgres use cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between PlanetScale and Neon?
PlanetScale is primarily a Serverless MySQL, while Neon is focused on Serverless Postgres. The world's most advanced serverless MySQL platform. Serverless Postgres. Built for the Cloud.
Is PlanetScale open source?
No, PlanetScale is a commercial product with a paid model.
Is Neon open source?
No, Neon is a commercial product with a freemium model.
Which is better for Databases?
It depends on your specific needs. PlanetScale is often chosen for its horizontal sharding capabilities, while Neon is popular for its serverless features.