Which is cheaper, PlanetScale or Turso?

PlanetScale is 1.2x cheaper than Turso. PlanetScale starts at $5/mo, Turso starts at $0/mo.

Does PlanetScale have a free tier?

No, PlanetScale does not have a free tier.

PlanetScale has moderate switching cost. Turso 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

Turso

Edge-hosted SQLite-compatible database with embedded replicas

Switching Cost: moderate

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

Cost modeling varies: flat-rate drives PlanetScale pricing, while Turso uses hybrid.

For early-stage teams or experimental projects, Turso's free tier provides valuable runway without commitment.

For early-stage teams or experimental projects, Turso's free tier provides valuable runway without commitment.

Price Difference

1.2x

PlanetScale is cheaper by $0.9900000000000002/mo

Free Tier

Turso

Has a free tier option

Pricing Model

Different

Tools charge using different pricing philosophies