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CockroachDB vs PlanetScale
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.
PlanetScale — The MySQL-compatible serverless database. PlanetScale is a MySQL-compatible serverless database built on Vitess with branching and non-blocking schema changes.
Feature comparison
| Feature | CockroachDB | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $0.50/hour | $39/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Engine | Distributed SQL (Postgres-compatible) | MySQL (Vitess) |
| Branching | No | Yes |
| Free Tier | 5GB + 50M RUs | Discontinued |
| 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
PlanetScale
The MySQL-compatible serverless database
Pros
- Horizontal scaling via Vitess
- Schema branching workflow
- Non-blocking migrations
Cons
- No free tier
- No foreign key constraints by default
- MySQL only
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 PlanetScale if you need production-grade features and are ready to pay.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, CockroachDB or PlanetScale?
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. PlanetScale is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is CockroachDB cheaper than PlanetScale?
CockroachDB starts at $0.50/hour, while PlanetScale starts at $39/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from CockroachDB to PlanetScale?
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 PlanetScale open source?
CockroachDB is open source; PlanetScale is a proprietary managed service.
Does CockroachDB or PlanetScale have a free tier?
CockroachDB has a free tier; PlanetScale does not.
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 CockroachDB. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.