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PlanetScale vs Turso
Comparing two database platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
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.
Turso — SQLite for production. Turso is a distributed SQLite database built on libSQL, offering edge replicas and a generous free tier.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PlanetScale | Turso |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | $39/mo | $29/mo |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Engine | MySQL (Vitess) | SQLite (libSQL) |
| Branching | Yes | No |
| Free Tier | Discontinued | 500 databases, 9GB |
| Serverless | Yes | Yes |
| Scale-to-zero | No | Yes |
| Point-in-time Recovery | Yes | 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
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 PlanetScale if you need production-grade features and are ready to pay. 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, PlanetScale or Turso?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Turso is the safer default because Turso 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 Turso?
PlanetScale starts at $39/mo, while Turso starts at $29/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from PlanetScale to Turso?
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 Turso open source?
Turso is open source; PlanetScale is a proprietary managed service.
Does PlanetScale or Turso have a free tier?
Turso 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 Turso. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.