Supabase vs PlanetScale (2026): Which Database Platform Wins?
By ToolVS Editorial · Updated April 10, 2026 · 10 min read
Supabase
Best Full-Stack Database Platform
- Free tier with PostgreSQL + Auth + Storage
- Open-source, self-hostable
- Row Level Security (RLS) built-in
- Realtime subscriptions via WebSockets
- Free projects pause after 7 days inactive
- No database branching workflow
Pricing: Free → Pro $25/mo → Team $599/mo
Start Free with Supabase →PlanetScale
Best for Database Branching Workflow
- Git-like database branching
- Vitess-powered (YouTube-scale MySQL)
- Non-blocking schema changes
- Excellent Laravel/Rails integration
- No free tier since March 2024
- MySQL only (no PostgreSQL)
Pricing: Scaler $39/mo → Team $299/mo
Explore PlanetScale →Score Breakdown
Full Comparison Table
| Category | Supabase | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | ✅ Yes (500MB PostgreSQL) | ❌ Removed March 2024 |
| Database Engine | PostgreSQL | MySQL (Vitess) |
| Auth Built-in | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| File Storage | ✅ Yes (1GB free) | ❌ No |
| Realtime | ✅ WebSocket subscriptions | ❌ No |
| DB Branching | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (killer feature) |
| Schema Changes | Standard migrations | Non-blocking (Vitess) |
| Open Source | ✅ Yes | ❌ Partially |
| Self-hostable | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Edge Functions | ✅ Deno-based | ❌ No |
| Starting Price | Free / $25/mo Pro | $39/mo (no free) |
| Connection Pooling | PgBouncer built-in | Built-in (PlanetScale) |
Regret Index
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Supabase if: You want a full Firebase-alternative with PostgreSQL, built-in Auth, Storage, Realtime, and Edge Functions — all on a generous free tier. Ideal for solo developers, startups, and anyone who values open-source and self-hostability.
Choose PlanetScale if: Your team works with MySQL at scale and you need Git-like database branching for safe schema migrations. Best for companies with existing MySQL investments (Laravel, Rails apps).
FAQs
Does Supabase have a free plan?
Yes. Supabase free plan includes 500MB database, 1GB file storage, 50MB bandwidth/day, and built-in Auth. Projects pause after 1 week of inactivity.
What happened to PlanetScale free tier?
PlanetScale removed its free tier in March 2024. The lowest plan now starts at $39/month (Scaler), making it less accessible for hobbyists.
Can Supabase replace Firebase?
Yes — Supabase is purpose-built as a Firebase alternative, offering PostgreSQL, Auth, Storage, Realtime, and Edge Functions. It uses SQL rather than NoSQL.
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Last updated: April 10, 2026