Bubble vs PlanetScale: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Bubble positions itself as "visual full-stack no-code app builder" while PlanetScale goes after "serverless mysql platform with branching" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. They take different commercial approaches — Bubble uses a freemium approach and PlanetScale a subscription-based model, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. Bubble lets you start for free, which means you can validate the fit before committing budget. PlanetScale requires a paid commitment upfront, so make sure it matches your workflow before signing. Bubble (founded 2012) has had more time to build out its ecosystem and integrations, while PlanetScale (2018) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| Bubble | PlanetScale | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 71/100 | 73/100 |
| Starting price | Free | $39/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Best for | Visual full-stack no-code app builder | Serverless MySQL platform with branching |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Bubble | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Visual builder | Yes | No |
| Database (built-in) | Yes | No |
| Workflows/logic | Yes | No |
| API integrations | Yes | No |
| User auth | Yes | No |
| MySQL compatible | No | Yes |
| Database branching | No | Yes |
| Non-blocking schema changes | No | Yes |
| Connection pooling | No | Yes |
| Auto-scaling | No | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | Bubble | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Custom code | Team+ | No |
| API as backend | Growth+ | No |
| Branching | Growth+ | No |
| Plugin ecosystem | Yes | No |
| Mobile responsive | Yes | No |
| Vitess-powered sharding | No | Yes |
| Rewind (time travel) | No | Yes |
| Query analytics | No | Yes |
| Read replicas | No | Enterprise |
| Private networking | No | Enterprise |
integrations
| Feature | Bubble | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Yes | No |
| Zapier | Yes | No |
| Google Sheets | Yes | No |
| Airtable | Yes | No |
| REST APIs | Yes | No |
| Prisma | No | Yes |
| Drizzle | No | Yes |
| Laravel | No | Yes |
| Rails | No | Yes |
| Vercel | No | Yes |
| Railway | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Bubble means going without MySQL compatible, Database branching, Non-blocking schema changes (which PlanetScale offers). Choosing PlanetScale means losing Visual builder, Database (built-in), Workflows/logic. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
Choose Bubble if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Choose PlanetScale if...
- You're ready to invest from $39/mo
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Bubble or PlanetScale better?
PlanetScale scores 73/100 compared to Bubble's 71/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Bubble excels at ease of use (7/10) while PlanetScale scores 7/10.
How much does Bubble cost compared to PlanetScale?
Bubble starts at free (free tier available). PlanetScale starts at $39/mo. Bubble is the more affordable option.
Does Bubble or PlanetScale have a free plan?
Bubble offers a free tier. PlanetScale does not — its cheapest plan starts at $39/mo.
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