Best PlanetScale Alternatives in 2026
PlanetScale (Free / $29/mo) not the right fit? Here are 5 alternatives we tested and compared — from free options to enterprise-grade tools.
Last updated: February 2026 · 5 alternatives reviewed
PlanetScale
Serverless MySQL database platform with branching, non-blocking schema changes, and unlimited scalability.
- Free tier removed for new users (2024)
- No support for foreign key constraints (Vitess limitation)
- Can get expensive at scale compared to self-hosted
Top 5 Alternatives to PlanetScale
Supabase
Open-source Firebase alternative with PostgreSQL database, authentication, storage, and edge functions.
- Full PostgreSQL with Row Level Security — real database, not NoSQL
- Free tier is incredibly generous (500MB DB, 50K MAU auth)
- Free tier pauses after 7 days of inactivity (can lose data if not careful)
- Limited to 2 free projects (need Pro for more)
Raycast
Blazingly fast macOS launcher that replaces Spotlight. Extensions, snippets, AI, and window management built in.
- Fastest launcher on macOS — instant results
- Massive extension store (GitHub, Jira, Notion, etc.)
- macOS only — no Windows or Linux
- AI features require Pro subscription
Airtable
Spreadsheet-meets-database platform for building custom apps. Powerful views, automations, and integrations.
- Incredibly flexible — build anything from CRM to inventory
- Beautiful grid, kanban, calendar, gallery views
- Free tier: only 1,000 records per base
- Per-user pricing gets very expensive for teams
Render
Unified cloud platform to build and run apps, databases, cron jobs, and static sites with easy deploys from Git.
- Simple GitHub/GitLab deploy pipeline
- Generous free tier for static sites
- Free tier services spin down (cold starts)
- Performance can lag behind Vercel/Fly.io for edge workloads
Fly.io
Deploy app servers close to users with edge hosting. Run full-stack apps, databases, and machines globally.
- Deploy to 30+ regions for low-latency globally
- Run any Docker container — language agnostic
- Steeper learning curve than Vercel/Render
- CLI-centric workflow can frustrate dashboard users
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to PlanetScale?
The best free alternatives to PlanetScale include Supabase, Raycast, Airtable. Each offers a free plan with varying feature limits.
Is there a cheaper alternative to PlanetScale?
Yes. PlanetScale starts at Free / $29/mo. Supabase (Free / $25/mo) and Raycast (Free / $8/mo) offer lower pricing.
Why do people switch from PlanetScale?
Common reasons include: Free tier removed for new users (2024), No support for foreign key constraints (Vitess limitation), Can get expensive at scale compared to self-hosted. Each alternative addresses different pain points, so the best choice depends on your specific needs.
Can I migrate my data from PlanetScale?
Most alternatives offer import tools or CSV migration paths. The complexity depends on your data volume and workflow complexity. We recommend running both tools in parallel for 1-2 weeks during transition.