Softwr

Database & Data Management · head to head

Couchbase vs PlanetScale

Couchbase logo

Couchbase

Database & Data Management

The modern database for enterprise applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlanetScale logo

PlanetScale

Database & Data Management

The MySQL-compatible serverless database

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Couchbase has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Couchbase the free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only; PlanetScale eBS High Availability requires 3-node configuration with replication overhead
  • They diverge on capability: Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, PlanetScale covers Database Branching.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Couchbase and PlanetScale actually diverge.

Attributes where Couchbase and PlanetScale differ
AttributeCouchbasePlanetScale
Starting priceFree$15/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, WebCloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure)
Founded20112018

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Database & Data Management).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Couchbase

  • JSON Document Model
  • SQL++ Query
  • Full-text Search
  • Eventing
  • Analytics
  • Mobile Sync
  • Multi-dimensional Scaling
  • Kafka

Only in PlanetScale

  • Database Branching
  • Non-blocking Schema Changes
  • Insights
  • Horizontal Scaling
  • Connection Pooling
  • Query Caching
  • Automatic Backups
  • Global Replication

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Couchbase

  • Running a distributed NoSQL document database as a managed servicenot PlanetScale
  • Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot PlanetScale

PlanetScale

  • MySQL database hosting with automatic failover and replicationnot Couchbase
  • Vitess-based sharding for horizontal scaling across large datasetsnot Couchbase
  • Cloud provider flexibility across AWS, GCP, Azure with 60+ regionsnot Couchbase
  • Cost-effective database clusters using ARM64 architecture optionsnot Couchbase

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Couchbase

  • The free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only
  • Node rates are hourly and quoted as starting figures, from $0.15 an hour on Basic to $0.49 on Enterprise
  • The Developer Pro and Enterprise plans require 3 nodes, so the hourly rate multiplies before any usage
  • Backup storage is billed separately at $0.07 per GB a month, and analytics backups at $0.14
  • Support response time is a plan feature, at 8 hours on Developer Pro against 30 minutes on Enterprise
  • AI and analytics run as separately priced planes at up to $0.86 an hour per node

PlanetScale

  • EBS High Availability requires 3-node configuration with replication overhead
  • EBS Non-HA single-node option lacks redundancy and automatic failover
  • Pricing varies by cloud provider and region, requiring queries for specific rates
  • ARM64 architecture only available on EBS tier, not Metal deployments

Pricing, plan by plan

Couchbase

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full features
    • Community support
    • Self-managed
  • Capella FreeFree
    • Managed service
    • Limited resources
    • Cloud hosted

PlanetScale

$15/month

No published plan breakdown. See the PlanetScale review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Couchbase if

  • You need json document model.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want sql++ query.
Couchbase review

Choose PlanetScale if

  • You need database branching.
  • You work on Cloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure).
  • You also want non-blocking schema changes.
PlanetScale review

Questions people ask

Is Couchbase or PlanetScale better?
Neither clearly leads. Couchbase starts at Free and PlanetScale at $15/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Couchbase or PlanetScale?
Couchbase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Couchbase and $15/month for PlanetScale.
Does Couchbase or PlanetScale run on more platforms?
Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. PlanetScale runs on Cloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure).
Can I use Couchbase for free?
Yes. Couchbase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PlanetScale starts at $15/month.
What is Couchbase best used for?
Couchbase is most often used for running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service, mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database. Of those, running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service and mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database are not what PlanetScale is typically brought in for.
What can Couchbase do that PlanetScale cannot?
Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. PlanetScale covers Database Branching, Non-blocking Schema Changes, Insights, Horizontal Scaling. Both handle Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Couchbase

More on PlanetScale

Keep looking

Other head to heads