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DynamoDB vs PlanetScale

DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Software

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlanetScale logo

PlanetScale

Software

The MySQL-compatible serverless database

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins; PlanetScale eBS High Availability requires 3-node configuration with replication overhead
  • They diverge on capability: DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, PlanetScale covers Database Branching.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DynamoDB and PlanetScale actually diverge.

Attributes where DynamoDB and PlanetScale differ
AttributeDynamoDBPlanetScale
Starting priceOn request$15/month
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
PlatformsAWSCloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure)
Founded20062018

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 DynamoDB

  • Single-digit Millisecond Latency
  • Serverless
  • Auto-scaling
  • Global Tables
  • Point-in-time Recovery
  • Encryption
  • Streams
  • Lambda

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.

DynamoDB

  • High-scale, variable-workload applicationsnot PlanetScale
  • Mobile and IoT device backendsnot PlanetScale
  • Real-time analytics and dashboardsnot PlanetScale
  • Multi-region, globally distributed applicationsnot PlanetScale

PlanetScale

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

Where each one falls short

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

DynamoDB

  • NoSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • Limited query flexibility; requires thinking in terms of keys and indexes rather than ad-hoc queries

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

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

PlanetScale

$15/month

No published plan breakdown. See the PlanetScale review.

Which should you pick?

Choose DynamoDB if

  • You need single-digit millisecond latency.
  • You work on AWS.
  • You also want serverless.
DynamoDB 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 DynamoDB or PlanetScale better?
Neither clearly leads. DynamoDB starts at On request and PlanetScale at $15/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DynamoDB or PlanetScale?
DynamoDB starts at On request and PlanetScale at $15/month.
Does DynamoDB or PlanetScale run on more platforms?
DynamoDB runs on AWS. PlanetScale runs on Cloud-hosted (AWS, GCP, Azure).
What is DynamoDB best used for?
DynamoDB is most often used for high-scale, variable-workload applications, mobile and iot device backends, real-time analytics and dashboards, multi-region, globally distributed applications. Of those, high-scale, variable-workload applications and mobile and iot device backends are not what PlanetScale is typically brought in for.
What can DynamoDB do that PlanetScale cannot?
DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. PlanetScale covers Database Branching, Non-blocking Schema Changes, Insights, Horizontal Scaling. Both handle Web support.
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