Neon vs CockroachDB: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Neon and CockroachDB comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Neon
Serverless Postgres
Best for you if:
- • Serverless Postgres that scales to zero
- • Branching for database development
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL database built for cloud
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.7/10)
- • CockroachDB is a distributed SQL database that survives failures and scales horizontally
- • It provides PostgreSQL compatibility with automatic sharding and multi-region deployment
| At a Glance |  Neon |  CockroachDB |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Managed Databases | Managed Databases |
Rating | 87/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Neon | CockroachDB |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 87 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Managed DatabasesServerless Databases | Managed DatabasesServerless Databases |
How Neon and CockroachDB Compare
Neon
Serverless Postgres
Free tier available · 87/100 score
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL database built for cloud
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Neon
Want the highest-rated option?
Neon: 87/100. CockroachDB: 88/100.
Go with: CockroachDB
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: CockroachDB
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are managed databases tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
CockroachDB scores higher: 88/100 vs 87/100.
Key Takeaways
CockroachDB
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 87
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Neon
The Bottom Line
CockroachDB (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Neon or CockroachDB better?
CockroachDB scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Neon and CockroachDB used for?
Neon: Serverless Postgres. CockroachDB: Distributed SQL database built for cloud.
What does Neon cost vs CockroachDB?
Neon is freemium (free tier + paid plans). CockroachDB is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.