Which is cheaper, MotherDuck or PlanetScale Postgres?

PlanetScale Postgres is 50.0x cheaper than MotherDuck. MotherDuck starts at $0/mo, PlanetScale Postgres starts at $5/mo.

Does MotherDuck have a free tier?

Yes, MotherDuck offers a free tier with activeUsers: 3, serviceAccounts: 2.

MotherDuck has moderate switching cost. PlanetScale Postgres has drop-in switching cost. PlanetScale Postgres is easier to switch away from.

Database

MotherDuck

Serverless analytics platform built on DuckDB with hybrid local/cloud execution

Switching Cost: moderate

← More affordable

Managed PostgreSQL with single-node or HA clustering options

Switching Cost: drop-in

You're paying a premium for MotherDuck — expect around a 50.0x higher bill compared to PlanetScale Postgres.

For experimentation and testing, MotherDuck wins with its free tier option — something PlanetScale Postgres doesn't offer.

Price-conscious teams should choose PlanetScale Postgres — the cost advantage is hard to ignore, especially for growing workloads.

Price-conscious teams should choose PlanetScale Postgres — the cost advantage is hard to ignore, especially for growing workloads.

Price Difference

50.0x

PlanetScale Postgres is cheaper by $245/mo

Free Tier

MotherDuck

Has a free tier option

Switching Costs

PlanetScale Postgres

Lower switching costs for easier migration