vs
CockroachDB vs MongoDB Atlas
Comparing two database platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
CockroachDB — Distributed SQL built for scale. CockroachDB Cloud is a distributed SQL database with Postgres wire compatibility and global horizontal scale.
MongoDB Atlas — Multi-cloud developer data platform. MongoDB Atlas is the managed cloud service for MongoDB with global clusters, search, and vector capabilities.
Feature comparison
| Feature | CockroachDB | MongoDB Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $0.50/hour | $9/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Engine | Distributed SQL (Postgres-compatible) | MongoDB (NoSQL) |
| Branching | No | No |
| Free Tier | 5GB + 50M RUs | M0 cluster 512MB |
| Serverless | Yes | Yes |
| Scale-to-zero | Yes | No |
| Point-in-time Recovery | Yes | Yes |
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL built for scale
Pros
- Horizontal SQL scaling
- Strong consistency
- Postgres wire-compatible
Cons
- Higher latency vs single-region Postgres
- Complex pricing
MongoDB Atlas
Multi-cloud developer data platform
Pros
- Flexible document model
- Mature ecosystem
- Atlas Search and Vector Search built-in
Cons
- Can get expensive fast
- Eventual consistency caveats
Which should you choose?
Choose CockroachDB if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose MongoDB Atlas if a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, CockroachDB or MongoDB Atlas?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, CockroachDB is the safer default because CockroachDB is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. MongoDB Atlas is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is CockroachDB cheaper than MongoDB Atlas?
CockroachDB starts at $0.50/hour, while MongoDB Atlas starts at $9/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from CockroachDB to MongoDB Atlas?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply CockroachDB-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most database migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is CockroachDB or MongoDB Atlas open source?
CockroachDB is open source; MongoDB Atlas is a proprietary managed service.
Does CockroachDB or MongoDB Atlas have a free tier?
Both CockroachDB and MongoDB Atlas offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is MongoDB Atlas. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.