Supabase vs PlanetScale
Supabase is a full backend platform built on PostgreSQL with auth, storage, and real-time. PlanetScale is a serverless MySQL database platform built on Vitess, optimized for horizontal scaling.
🎓 Why Students Should Care
Supabase's free tier includes 500 MB database, auth, storage, and edge functions — plus $2,500 in startup credits. PlanetScale offered a generous free tier but sunset it in 2024; hobby plans now start at $39/month.
| Feature | Supabase | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes — 500 MB + full features forever | No — free tier removed in 2024 |
| Database Engine | PostgreSQL (relational, SQL) | MySQL (serverless, via Vitess) |
| Auth Built-in | Yes — email, OAuth, magic links | No — separate service needed |
| Branching | No database branching | Yes — Git-like database branches |
| Best For | Students, startups, full-stack apps | Enterprise scale, MySQL workloads |
Our Verdict for Students
Supabase is the clear choice for students and startups today — generous permanent free tier, full backend features, and excellent DX. PlanetScale is excellent at scale but no longer has a free tier.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Supabase or PlanetScale better for students?
Supabase is the clear choice for students and startups today — generous permanent free tier, full backend features, and excellent DX. PlanetScale is excellent at scale but no longer has a free tier.
Can students get Supabase for free?
Supabase's free tier includes 500 MB database, auth, storage, and edge functions — plus $2,500 in startup credits. PlanetScale offered a generous free tier but sunset it in 2024; hobby plans now start at $39/month.