Netlify vs PlanetScale: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Netlify positions itself as "frontend cloud for static sites and serverless functions" 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 — Netlify uses a freemium approach and PlanetScale a subscription-based model, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. Netlify 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.
At a glance
| Netlify | PlanetScale | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 82/100 | 73/100 |
| Starting price | Free | $39/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Best for | Frontend cloud for static sites and serverless functions | Serverless MySQL platform with branching |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Netlify | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Git-based deploys | Yes | No |
| Preview deployments | Yes | No |
| Serverless functions | Yes | No |
| Edge functions | Yes | No |
| Form handling | 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 | Netlify | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Split testing | Pro+ | No |
| Netlify DB (Postgres) | Yes | No |
| Netlify Blobs (storage) | Yes | No |
| Image CDN | Yes | No |
| Analytics | Pro+ | 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 | Netlify | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub | Yes | No |
| GitLab | Yes | No |
| Bitbucket | Yes | No |
| Next.js | Yes | No |
| Astro | Yes | No |
| Gatsby | Yes | No |
| Hugo | 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 Netlify means going without MySQL compatible, Database branching, Non-blocking schema changes (which PlanetScale offers). Choosing PlanetScale means losing Git-based deploys, Preview deployments, Serverless functions. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
PlanetScale (51-200 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Netlify (201-500 employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose Netlify if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
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 Netlify or PlanetScale better?
Netlify scores 82/100 compared to PlanetScale's 73/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Netlify excels at ease of use (9/10) while PlanetScale scores 7/10.
How much does Netlify cost compared to PlanetScale?
Netlify starts at free (free tier available). PlanetScale starts at $39/mo. Netlify is the more affordable option.
Does Netlify or PlanetScale have a free plan?
Netlify offers a free tier. PlanetScale does not — its cheapest plan starts at $39/mo.
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