Turso vs CockroachDB: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Turso 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:
Turso
SQLite at the edge
Best for you if:
- • You need database builders features specifically
- • Turso is an edge-native database built on libSQL
- • It provides SQLite at the edge with replication and low latency
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL database built for cloud
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need managed databases features specifically
- • 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 |  Turso |  CockroachDB |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Database Builders | Managed Databases |
Rating | 84/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Turso | CockroachDB |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Database BuildersEdge Computing | Managed DatabasesServerless Databases |
How Turso and CockroachDB Compare
Turso
SQLite at the edge
Free tier available · 84/100 score
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL database built for cloud
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Turso is a database builders tool. CockroachDB is in managed databases.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Turso
Want the highest-rated option?
Turso: 84/100. 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?
Turso is a database builders tool. CockroachDB is in managed databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
CockroachDB scores higher: 88/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
CockroachDB
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Turso
- Better fit for database builders
The Bottom Line
CockroachDB (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Turso or CockroachDB better?
CockroachDB scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Turso and CockroachDB used for?
Turso: SQLite at the edge. CockroachDB: Distributed SQL database built for cloud.
What does Turso cost vs CockroachDB?
Turso is freemium (free tier + paid plans). CockroachDB is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.