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About PlanetScale
What is PlanetScale?
PlanetScale is a cloud database platform that provides managed hosting for both Postgres and Vitess (MySQL-compatible) databases. It is designed to deliver high performance through NVMe storage and horizontal sharding for ultra scalability, making it suitable for demanding workloads.
What problem does it solve?
PlanetScale addresses the challenges of managing database infrastructure at scale. It simplifies operations with features like high availability (99.99% SLA), automated sharding for large data volumes, and flexible deployment options (including your own cloud). It is built for teams that need reliability and speed without the overhead of self-managing complex database clusters.
Who is it for?
It is ideally suited for engineering teams and companies that run high-traffic applications, such as Cursor (Anysphere), Slack, HubSpot, and GitHub. It is particularly beneficial for those needing to scale MySQL databases horizontally via Vitess. If you have a small database with modest requirements, you might find the pricing resource-based and more than you need, and a simpler, lower-cost solution might be better.
Real use cases
PlanetScale is used for powering Tier 0 databases, handling millions of queries per second across hundreds of terabytes of data. Common use cases include scaling SaaS applications, managing high-volume user data, and ensuring database availability across multiple availability zones.
Key features
- Vitess Support — Scale MySQL databases horizontally through explicit sharding, distributing data across thousands of nodes.
- Postgres Support — Deploy a fast, managed cloud Postgres database for your application.
- High Availability — Deploy with a primary and two replica nodes across 3 availability zones for a 99.99% SLA.
- PlanetScale Metal — Use ultra-fast NVMe drives with unlimited IOPS for data center-like performance in the cloud.
- Multiple Deployment Options — Choose multi-tenant, single-tenant, or bring your own cloud (AWS/GCP) to meet security and compliance needs.
- Migration Assistance — Receive hands-on help from database experts, including core Vitess maintainers, to migrate workloads with no downtime.
SaaSpartout Score
7.6
/10
Editorial score from our review methodology — not user ratings.
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PlanetScale Pricing
PlanetScale pricing: from $5/mo.
For comparison: the median starting price in Analytics & Data is $39/month, measured across 274 tools we track. See the full SaaS Pricing Index →
Base Plan (Postgres)
Starting at $5/month for a single node, ideal for development and low-traffic production workloads. Pricing is resource-based, allowing you to upsize or downsize instances as needed.
High Availability
Deploy with 1 primary and 2 replicas across 3 availability zones for a 99.99% SLA. Performance varies based on configuration; the smallest HA configuration starts at $15/month.
Metal
High-performance clusters with local NVMe storage, starting at $50/month for high-throughput needs.
Try PlanetScale with a free plan—no contract or sales interaction required to get started on the Base plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PlanetScale cost?
PlanetScale pricing starts at $5/month for a single-node Postgres database. High-availability configurations start at $15/month, and Metal (NVMe) clusters start at $50/month.
Is PlanetScale free?
Yes, the Base plan is what you get when you sign up, and it includes a free tier for development and low-traffic workloads. You can start without a contract.
What is the difference between PlanetScale Postgres and Vitess?
PlanetScale Postgres is a managed cloud Postgres database. Vitess is a MySQL-compatible database system that adds horizontal sharding for massive scale, allowing data to be distributed across thousands of nodes.
Who is PlanetScale best for?
PlanetScale is best for engineering teams running high-traffic applications that need high performance, high availability (99.99% SLA), and the ability to scale databases horizontally. It powers Tier 0 databases for companies like Cursor, Slack, and GitHub.
What are the top alternatives to PlanetScale?
Common alternatives to PlanetScale include fully-managed database services like AWS RDS, Google Cloud SQL, and Neon for Postgres, as well as self-hosted Vitess or MySQL solutions for teams with specialized infrastructure expertise.
What is PlanetScale Metal?
PlanetScale Metal is a cluster configuration that uses ultra-fast NVMe local drives, providing unlimited IOPS for the fastest performance available in the cloud. Metal clusters start at $50/month.
