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PlanetScale vs Vercel
Side-by-side comparison of PlanetScale and Vercel.
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.
Vercel — The frontend cloud. Vercel is the platform built by the creators of Next.js, offering edge-first hosting, preview deployments, and serverless functions.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PlanetScale | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | $39/mo | $20/mo |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Engine | MySQL (Vitess) | — |
| Branching | Yes | — |
| Free Tier | Discontinued | — |
| Serverless | Yes | — |
| Scale-to-zero | No | — |
| Point-in-time Recovery | Yes | — |
| Edge Network | — | Yes |
| Custom Domains | — | Yes |
| Edge Functions | — | Yes |
| Bandwidth (free) | — | 100GB |
| Preview Deployments | — | Yes |
| Build Minutes (free) | — | 6000/mo |
| Serverless Functions | — | 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
Vercel
The frontend cloud
Pros
- Best-in-class Next.js support
- Fast global edge network
- Excellent DX with Git integration
Cons
- Expensive at scale
- Vendor lock-in with Edge runtime
- Function timeout limits
Which should you choose?
Choose PlanetScale if you need production-grade features and are ready to pay. Choose Vercel if a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, PlanetScale or Vercel?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Vercel is the safer default because Vercel offers a free tier, while PlanetScale requires a paid plan. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is PlanetScale cheaper than Vercel?
PlanetScale starts at $39/mo, while Vercel starts at $20/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from PlanetScale to Vercel?
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 Vercel open source?
No — both PlanetScale and Vercel are proprietary managed services. If open source is a requirement, see our alternatives pages.
Does PlanetScale or Vercel have a free tier?
Vercel 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 Vercel. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.