PlanetScale vs Supabase

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tool

PlanetScale

Databases & Storage

Serverless MySQL platform with branching workflows and horizontal scaling.

Starting Price

Custom

Supabase

Databases & Storage

Open-source Firebase alternative with PostgreSQL database and real-time features.

Starting Price

Custom

Feature Comparison

FeaturePlanetScaleSupabase
CategoryDatabases & StorageDatabases & Storage
Pricing Plans22 tiers22 tiers
Starting Price
Key Features
  • Database Branching
  • Non-Blocking Schema Changes
  • Horizontal Scaling
  • PostgreSQL Database
  • Real-time Subscriptions
  • Built-in Authentication

PlanetScale - Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Free tier available for getting started and prototyping
  • Strong database branching capabilities for production use
  • Non-Blocking Schema Changes support enhances integration options
  • Designed for modern AI engineering workflows

Cons

  • MySQL-specific features and limitations apply
  • Some traditional MySQL tools may not work with serverless architecture
  • Branching workflows require learning new development patterns

Supabase - Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Complete backend platform with database, auth, storage, and edge functions
  • Generous free tier — great for prototyping and side projects
  • Built on PostgreSQL with pgvector support for AI applications
  • Open-source with self-hosting option
  • Excellent developer experience with auto-generated APIs

Cons

  • Can outgrow the platform for very custom architectures
  • Performance limitations on free tier
  • Not a dedicated vector database — vector features are add-on
  • Auth and storage features add complexity if only database is needed

Ready to Choose?

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