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CockroachDB vs Neon
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.
Neon — Serverless Postgres. Neon is a serverless Postgres platform with branching, autoscaling, and a generous free tier.
Feature comparison
| Feature | CockroachDB | Neon |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $0.50/hour | $19/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | Distributed SQL (Postgres-compatible) | PostgreSQL |
| Branching | No | Yes |
| Free Tier | 5GB + 50M RUs | 0.5GB storage |
| Serverless | Yes | Yes |
| Scale-to-zero | Yes | Yes |
| 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
Neon
Serverless Postgres
Pros
- Git-like branching for databases
- Scale-to-zero saves money
- Standard Postgres
Cons
- Cold starts after scale-to-zero
- Younger platform vs RDS
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 Neon if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, CockroachDB or Neon?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Neon is the safer default because Neon has a larger community and more third-party integrations, which often translates to better long-term support. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is CockroachDB cheaper than Neon?
CockroachDB starts at $0.50/hour, while Neon starts at $19/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from CockroachDB to Neon?
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 Neon open source?
Yes, both CockroachDB and Neon are open source and can be self-hosted.
Does CockroachDB or Neon have a free tier?
Both CockroachDB and Neon 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 Neon. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.