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CockroachDB vs Turso
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.
Turso — SQLite for production. Turso is a distributed SQLite database built on libSQL, offering edge replicas and a generous free tier.
Feature comparison
| Feature | CockroachDB | Turso |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $0.50/hour | $29/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | Distributed SQL (Postgres-compatible) | SQLite (libSQL) |
| Branching | No | No |
| Free Tier | 5GB + 50M RUs | 500 databases, 9GB |
| 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
Turso
SQLite for production
Pros
- Edge replicas close to users
- Very generous free tier
- Low latency reads
Cons
- SQLite limits write scale
- Newer tool, less tooling
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 Turso 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 Turso?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Turso is the safer default because Turso 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 Turso?
CockroachDB starts at $0.50/hour, while Turso starts at $29/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from CockroachDB to Turso?
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 Turso open source?
Yes, both CockroachDB and Turso are open source and can be self-hosted.
Does CockroachDB or Turso have a free tier?
Both CockroachDB and Turso 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 Turso. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.