Softwr

Software · head to head

DataGrip vs PlanetScale

DataGrip logo

DataGrip

Software

Cross-platform database IDE from JetBrains for SQL and NoSQL databases

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlanetScale logo

PlanetScale

Software

The MySQL-compatible serverless database

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DataGrip has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DataGrip commercial use requires a paid subscription; the free tier is non-commercial only.; PlanetScale eBS High Availability requires 3-node configuration with replication overhead
  • They diverge on capability: DataGrip covers Intelligent SQL Completion, PlanetScale covers Database Branching.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DataGrip and PlanetScale actually diverge.

Attributes where DataGrip and PlanetScale differ
AttributeDataGripPlanetScale
Starting priceFree$15/month
Free tierYesNo
Platformswindows, mac, linuxCloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure)
Founded20002018

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 DataGrip

  • Intelligent SQL Completion
  • Schema Navigation
  • Data Editor
  • Version Control for Scripts
  • Multi-database Support

Only in PlanetScale

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

What people use each for

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

DataGrip

  • Writing and running SQL queries across multiple database enginesnot PlanetScale
  • Browsing and editing schema and table data visuallynot PlanetScale
  • Version-controlling database migration scriptsnot PlanetScale
  • Standardizing database tooling across a JetBrains-based teamnot PlanetScale

PlanetScale

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

Where each one falls short

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

DataGrip

  • Commercial use requires a paid subscription; the free tier is non-commercial only.
  • No built-in database administration features like backup scheduling found in dedicated DBA tools.
  • Heavier resource footprint than lightweight single-purpose SQL clients.
  • NoSQL support (e.g. MongoDB) is less mature than its relational database tooling.

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

DataGrip

Free
  • Free (non-commercial)Free
    • Personal, non-commercial use only
  • Individual - Year 1$99/year
    • Full DataGrip license
    • Free updates during subscription
  • Individual - Year 2+$79/year
    • Continuity discount from second year onward

PlanetScale

$15/month

No published plan breakdown. See the PlanetScale review.

Which should you pick?

Choose DataGrip if

  • You need intelligent sql completion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want schema navigation.
DataGrip 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 DataGrip or PlanetScale better?
Neither clearly leads. DataGrip 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, DataGrip or PlanetScale?
DataGrip has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for DataGrip and $15/month for PlanetScale.
Does DataGrip or PlanetScale run on more platforms?
DataGrip runs on windows, mac, linux. PlanetScale runs on Cloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure).
Can I use DataGrip for free?
Yes. DataGrip has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PlanetScale starts at $15/month.
What is DataGrip best used for?
DataGrip is most often used for writing and running sql queries across multiple database engines, browsing and editing schema and table data visually, version-controlling database migration scripts, standardizing database tooling across a jetbrains-based team. Of those, writing and running sql queries across multiple database engines and browsing and editing schema and table data visually are not what PlanetScale is typically brought in for.
What can DataGrip do that PlanetScale cannot?
DataGrip covers Intelligent SQL Completion, Schema Navigation, Data Editor, Version Control for Scripts. PlanetScale covers Database Branching, Non-blocking Schema Changes, Insights, Horizontal Scaling.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DataGrip: Is DataGrip free for personal use?

JetBrains introduced a free non-commercial license for DataGrip in October 2025, allowing personal use, while commercial use still requires a paid annual or monthly subscription.

Source
DataGrip: Who qualifies for the free non-commercial license?

Only individuals are eligible, for uses like learning, open-source work, or content creation. Anyone paid by an employer, including at a non-profit, must use a commercial license instead.

Source
DataGrip: How long does the free non-commercial license last?

It lasts one year and auto-renews if DataGrip was used at least once in the final six months; otherwise you can simply reapply for a new license.

Source
DataGrip: Does the free license have fewer features than the paid version?

No, it is a full-featured IDE identical to the paid version, though it requires anonymized telemetry sharing that cannot be opted out of under the non-commercial agreement.

Source
DataGrip: Can I use DataGrip offline with the free license?

No, activation requires logging into a JetBrains Account; offline activation codes are not available for the free non-commercial license.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on DataGrip

More on PlanetScale

Keep looking

Other head to heads