PlanetScale vs CockroachDB: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between PlanetScale 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.
Bottom line: PlanetScale is our overall pick for data & databases workflows. Pick CockroachDB if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
PlanetScale
Serverless PostgreSQL and MySQL databases with branching
Best for you if:
- • Serverless MySQL platform
- • Branching for database like Git
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL database built for cloud
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • 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 |  PlanetScale |  CockroachDB |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $5/monthPostgres (Single Node) | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
Choose PlanetScale or CockroachDB?
Choose PlanetScale if
Serverless PostgreSQL and MySQL databases with branching
- Database branching
- Non-blocking migrations
- Excellent DX
Choose CockroachDB if
Distributed SQL database built for cloud
- Distributed SQL
- PostgreSQL compatible
- Multi-region
- Budget matters (Free vs $5/month)
| Feature | PlanetScale | CockroachDB |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 5 reviews | ★4.3/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesCloud & Infrastructure | Data & DatabasesCloud & Infrastructure |
In-Depth Analysis
PlanetScale
Serverless PostgreSQL and MySQL databases with branching
Strengths
- +Database branching
- +Non-blocking migrations
- +Excellent DX
Weaknesses
- -MySQL only
- -No free tier anymore
Key features
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL database built for cloud
Strengths
- +Distributed SQL
- +PostgreSQL compatible
- +Multi-region
- +Strong consistency
- +Good scaling
Weaknesses
- -Complex operations
- -Expensive at scale
- -Learning curve
- -Latency vs single-node
- -Specific use cases
Key features
Pricing: PlanetScale vs CockroachDB
| Plan | PlanetScale | CockroachDB |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $5 month Postgres (Single Node) | Free Basic |
| Tier 2 | $39 month Vitess PS-10 (Base) | $0.18 /hour (2 vCPUs) Standard |
| Tier 3 | $39 month starting Vitess HA (3-zone) | $0.6 /hour (4 vCPUs) Advanced |
| Tier 4 | $50 month starting Metal | N/A |
| Tier 5 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on PlanetScale pricing and CockroachDB pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
CockroachDB has a free tier. PlanetScale is paid only.
Go with: CockroachDB
Want the highest-rated option?
PlanetScale: 4.2/5 (5 reviews). CockroachDB: 4.3/5 (29 reviews).
Go with: CockroachDB
Value user reviews?
PlanetScale: 5 reviews (4.2/5). CockroachDB: 29 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: CockroachDB
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
PlanetScale is paid. CockroachDB is freemium. CockroachDB lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are data & databases tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
CockroachDB is rated higher: 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
PlanetScale
- Our pick for this comparison
CockroachDB
- Has a free tier
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (29 reviews)
The Bottom Line
PlanetScale is our pick. CockroachDB has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PlanetScale or CockroachDB better?
PlanetScale is rated in our evaluation. PlanetScale is paid and CockroachDB is freemium.
What are PlanetScale and CockroachDB used for?
PlanetScale: Serverless PostgreSQL and MySQL databases with branching. CockroachDB: Distributed SQL database built for cloud.
What does PlanetScale cost vs CockroachDB?
PlanetScale is a paid tool. CockroachDB is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.