7 alternatives · Database & Backend
Best alternatives to PlanetScale in 2026
PlanetScale is a serverless MySQL-compatible database built on Vitess, the same technology that powers YouTube's database infrastructure. Its standout features are database branching (create a copy of your production schema to test migrations like you branch code), non-blocking schema changes that never lock your production tables, and automatic horizontal sharding at massive scale. It is designed for teams that need highly available MySQL without managing infrastructure.
What is PlanetScale?
Why look for PlanetScale alternatives?
PlanetScale ended its free tier in 2024, with plans now starting at $39 per month. It also does not support foreign keys (a Vitess limitation), which can be a blocker for applications that rely on them. Neon and Supabase offer Postgres with free tiers at similar or lower costs.
7 alternatives to PlanetScale
The open-source Firebase alternative.
Supabase is an open-source backend platform providing a Postgres database, authentication, real-time subscriptions, storage, and edge functions. It is the most popular Firebase alternative among developers who want SQL over NoSQL.
Google's app development platform.
Firebase is Google's Backend-as-a-Service platform providing Firestore (NoSQL database), Authentication, Hosting, Cloud Functions, Storage, and Cloud Messaging. It is the most widely used BaaS for mobile and web application development.
Serverless Postgres. Scale to zero, branch your data.
Neon is a serverless Postgres platform with database branching, autoscaling, and scale-to-zero for cost efficiency. It is designed for modern development workflows and is particularly well-suited for preview environments and serverless applications.
The developer data platform for intelligent applications.
MongoDB Atlas is the fully managed cloud version of MongoDB, the world's most popular NoSQL database. It offers global clusters, automated backups, Atlas Search (full-text search), Atlas Vector Search, and a serverless tier for variable workloads.
SQLite for Production. Edge-native database.
Turso is an edge-native database built on libSQL (a fork of SQLite), designed to run close to users with embedded replicas and multi-tenancy at scale. It is ideal for applications with many small databases and edge-deployed workloads.
Your backend, minus the hassle.
Appwrite is an open-source backend server providing authentication, databases, file storage, cloud functions, and real-time APIs. It is self-hostable, giving teams complete control over their data, and provides SDKs for web, mobile, and server environments.
The fullstack TypeScript development platform.
Convex is a reactive backend platform where your database, server functions, and real-time subscriptions are defined in TypeScript and automatically synced to the frontend. It eliminates the need to manage API endpoints, caching, and state management separately.
Know a great PlanetScale alternative?
Submit your product to BuiltByMe and get discovered by people looking for exactly what you built.
Frequently asked
Does PlanetScale support foreign keys?
No. PlanetScale is built on Vitess which does not support foreign keys. This is a significant limitation for applications that rely on referential integrity enforced at the database level. Teams needing foreign keys use Neon, Supabase, or traditional Postgres instead.
What is database branching?
Database branching lets you create an isolated copy of your database schema (not data) to test migrations before applying them to production. It works like Git branches for your schema, allowing you to develop and review schema changes with confidence before deploying.
Is PlanetScale good for Next.js apps?
Yes. PlanetScale works well with Next.js using the Prisma or Drizzle ORM adapters. Its serverless connection model is designed for edge and serverless environments where traditional persistent database connections are not practical.
How does PlanetScale compare to Neon?
PlanetScale is MySQL-compatible; Neon is Postgres. Both are serverless with branching features. Neon has a free tier and supports foreign keys. PlanetScale scales better for extremely high traffic. For most new projects, Neon or Supabase are recommended given their Postgres compatibility and pricing.
Browse all Database & Backend tools
Discover more tools built by indie makers