Which is cheaper, PlanetScale or Timescale?

PlanetScale is 6.0x cheaper than Timescale. PlanetScale starts at $5/mo, Timescale starts at $30/mo.

Does PlanetScale have a free tier?

No, PlanetScale does not have a free tier.

PlanetScale has moderate switching cost. Timescale has moderate switching cost. Both have similar switching complexity.

Database

PlanetScale

← More affordable

Managed MySQL-compatible and Postgres database platform with horizontal sharding via Vitess

Switching Cost: moderate

Timescale

Time-series database built on PostgreSQL with managed cloud hosting

Switching Cost: moderate

You're paying a premium for Timescale — expect around a 6.0x higher bill compared to PlanetScale.

Cost modeling varies: flat-rate drives PlanetScale pricing, while Timescale uses usage-based.

If budget is your primary constraint, PlanetScale is the clear winner with its more wallet-friendly pricing structure.

If budget is your primary constraint, PlanetScale is the clear winner with its more wallet-friendly pricing structure.

Price Difference

6.0x

PlanetScale is cheaper by $25/mo

Pricing Model

Different

Tools charge using different pricing philosophies