Pick / avoid summary (fast)
Skim these triggers to pick a default, then validate with the quick checks and constraints below.
- ✓ Developer workflow optimized for branching and fast environments
- ✓ Serverless operating model compared to traditional managed Postgres
- ✓ Often reduces friction for preview environments and rapid iteration
- ✓ MySQL-compatible relational option with modern workflows
- ✓ Often evaluated when teams want serverless model and scaling patterns
- ✓ Can be a strong fit for teams preferring MySQL ecosystem
- × Not a drop-in replacement for every production operating model
- × Constraints and limits must be validated against workload needs
- × Not Postgres; ecosystem and features differ from Postgres-centric stacks
- × Operational constraints and limits must be validated
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Model switching costchanging SQL dialect/ecosystem later is expensive.
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The trade-offPostgres-first workflow vs MySQL-first workflow and compatibility constraints.
At-a-glance comparison
Neon
Serverless Postgres optimized for modern developer workflows like branching and ephemeral environments, evaluated when dev workflow is the bottleneck.
- ✓ Developer workflow optimized for branching and fast environments
- ✓ Serverless operating model compared to traditional managed Postgres
- ✓ Often reduces friction for preview environments and rapid iteration
PlanetScale
Serverless MySQL platform (Vitess-based) evaluated when teams want MySQL compatibility plus modern workflows and horizontal scaling patterns.
- ✓ MySQL-compatible relational option with modern workflows
- ✓ Often evaluated when teams want serverless model and scaling patterns
- ✓ Can be a strong fit for teams preferring MySQL ecosystem
What breaks first (decision checks)
These checks reflect the common constraints that decide between Neon and PlanetScale in this category.
If you only read one section, read this — these are the checks that force redesigns or budget surprises.
- Real trade-off: Postgres-first branching/ephemeral workflow vs a MySQL-compatible serverless workflow (Vitess-based) with different operational and compatibility expectations.
- Operational model and ownership: Define your scaling path (single region vs multi-region resilience)
- Ecosystem alignment vs portability: Identify integration gravity (identity, networking, observability)
Implementation gotchas
These are the practical downsides teams tend to discover during setup, rollout, or scaling.
Where Neon surprises teams
- Not a drop-in replacement for every production operating model
- Constraints and limits must be validated against workload needs
- Migration and ownership still matter (schema design, governance)
Where PlanetScale surprises teams
- Not Postgres; ecosystem and features differ from Postgres-centric stacks
- Operational constraints and limits must be validated
- Migration and data model decisions still carry switching costs
Pros and cons
Neon
Pros
- + Developer workflow optimized for branching and fast environments
- + Serverless operating model compared to traditional managed Postgres
- + Often reduces friction for preview environments and rapid iteration
- + Good fit when developer workflow (branching/ephemeral DBs) is a primary productivity lever
- + Useful for teams that want fast environment spin-up for previews and CI
Cons
- − Not a drop-in replacement for every production operating model
- − Constraints and limits must be validated against workload needs
- − Migration and ownership still matter (schema design, governance)
- − Cost predictability can change when environments multiply (branches/preview DBs)
- − Enterprise governance expectations may require additional validation versus a hyperscaler baseline
PlanetScale
Pros
- + MySQL-compatible relational option with modern workflows
- + Often evaluated when teams want serverless model and scaling patterns
- + Can be a strong fit for teams preferring MySQL ecosystem
- + Good fit when you want a modern workflow around a MySQL-compatible database
- + A clear alternative when you want MySQL compatibility but don’t want to self-manage MySQL operations
Cons
- − Not Postgres; ecosystem and features differ from Postgres-centric stacks
- − Operational constraints and limits must be validated
- − Migration and data model decisions still carry switching costs
- − Platform coupling can create switching cost if you adopt platform-specific workflows deeply
- − You must validate production constraints early to avoid rework later
- − Not a fit if your stack is deeply Postgres-centric and you need Postgres compatibility
Keep exploring this category
If you’re close to a decision, the fastest next step is to read 1–2 more head-to-head briefs, then confirm pricing limits in the product detail pages.
FAQ
How do you choose between Neon and PlanetScale?
Choose Neon when you want Postgres with branching/ephemeral environments as a workflow primitive. Choose PlanetScale when MySQL compatibility is important and you want a modern serverless MySQL workflow. The key decision is Postgres vs MySQL ecosystem and the workflow model you want long-term.
When should you pick Neon?
Pick Neon when: Developer workflow optimized for branching and fast environments; Serverless operating model compared to traditional managed Postgres; Often reduces friction for preview environments and rapid iteration; Good fit when developer workflow (branching/ephemeral DBs) is a primary productivity lever.
When should you pick PlanetScale?
Pick PlanetScale when: MySQL-compatible relational option with modern workflows; Often evaluated when teams want serverless model and scaling patterns; Can be a strong fit for teams preferring MySQL ecosystem; Good fit when you want a modern workflow around a MySQL-compatible database.
What’s the real trade-off between Neon and PlanetScale?
Postgres-first branching/ephemeral workflow vs a MySQL-compatible serverless workflow (Vitess-based) with different operational and compatibility expectations.
What’s the most common mistake buyers make in this comparison?
Treating them as interchangeable ‘serverless databases’ instead of deciding on Postgres vs MySQL compatibility and the workflow model you’re committing to.
What’s the fastest elimination rule?
Pick Neon if you want Postgres and branching/preview environments are central to your workflow.
What breaks first with Neon?
Production constraints/limits if you assume it behaves like a hyperscaler managed baseline. Governance and access control expectations as more teams/services rely on the same DB. Cost predictability once environments multiply (branches/preview DBs).
What are the hidden constraints of Neon?
Production requirements must be validated early (limits, performance, observability expectations). Operational model differs from traditional managed Postgres. Cost predictability can change quickly as branches and environments multiply.
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Sources & verification
We prefer to link primary references (official pricing, documentation, and public product pages). If links are missing, treat this as a seeded brief until verification is completed.