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PlanetScale vs PocketBase
Side-by-side comparison of PlanetScale and PocketBase.
Quick summary
PlanetScale — The MySQL-compatible serverless database. PlanetScale is a MySQL-compatible serverless database built on Vitess with branching and non-blocking schema changes.
PocketBase — Open source backend in 1 file. PocketBase is an open-source Go backend, bundled as a single executable, with embedded SQLite, auth, realtime, and admin UI.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PlanetScale | PocketBase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | $39/mo | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Engine | MySQL (Vitess) | — |
| Branching | Yes | — |
| Free Tier | Discontinued | Unlimited (self-host) |
| Serverless | Yes | — |
| Scale-to-zero | No | — |
| Point-in-time Recovery | Yes | — |
| Auth | — | Yes |
| Storage | — | Yes |
| Database | — | SQLite |
| Realtime | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Edge Functions | — | No |
| Row Level Security | — | Yes |
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
PocketBase
Open source backend in 1 file
Pros
- Zero-config single binary
- Fast and lightweight
- Great for small-to-medium apps
Cons
- SQLite limits horizontal scale
- Single maintainer
- No managed cloud offering
Which should you choose?
Choose PlanetScale if you need production-grade features and are ready to pay. Choose PocketBase 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, PlanetScale or PocketBase?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, PocketBase is the safer default because PocketBase 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 PlanetScale cheaper than PocketBase?
PlanetScale starts at $39/mo, while PocketBase starts at Free. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from PlanetScale to PocketBase?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply PlanetScale-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 PlanetScale or PocketBase open source?
PocketBase is open source; PlanetScale is a proprietary managed service.
Does PlanetScale or PocketBase have a free tier?
PocketBase 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 PocketBase. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.