PlanetScale
Serverless MySQL platform
PlanetScale is a serverless MySQL-compatible database platform with branching, non-blocking schema changes, and unlimited scale.
Our Verdict
PlanetScale is the best MySQL database for teams that need branching and safe migrations. The workflow is game-changing.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Incredible branching workflow
- +Non-blocking migrations
- +Scales automatically
- +MySQL compatible
Cons
- -MySQL only (no Postgres)
- -Can get expensive
- -No self-hosting
Build vs Buy with AI
Buy This ToolHard to Build2-3 months for branching, longer for scale
PlanetScale's branching and non-blocking schema changes are built on Vitess, which powers YouTube. You could run Vitess yourself, but the operational complexity is significant.
Key Considerations
- •Vitess is open source but operationally complex
- •Database branching requires significant infrastructure
- •Non-blocking migrations need careful implementation
- •For simple MySQL, managed RDS or self-hosted is fine
Features
MySQL compatibleYes
BranchingYes
Non-blocking schema changesYes
Auto-scalingYes
Built-in AuthNo
Self-hosted optionNo
Foreign keysYes
Best For
Teams with complex schemasHigh-scale appsMySQL users
Pricing
Free tier available
Hobby$0
- - 5GB storage
- - 1 billion row reads
- - 1 database
Scaler$39/mo
- - 10GB storage
- - Unlimited reads
- - Branches
EnterpriseCustom
- - Unlimited
- - SLA
- - Support
Compare PlanetScale
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Last updated: 2026-01-15