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Technology · head to head

Plane vs PocketBase

Plane logo

Plane

Technology

Open-source project management tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PocketBase logo

PocketBase

APIs

Open-source backend with REST API, real-time subscriptions and Admin UI

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Plane self-hosted Community edition requires managing your own Docker/Kubernetes infra plus your own PostgreSQL, Redis, and S3-compatible/GCS/MinIO storage; no single-binary install; PocketBase requires technical expertise to deploy and maintain
  • They diverge on capability: Plane covers Issue tracking, PocketBase covers REST API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Plane and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Plane and PocketBase differ
AttributePlanePocketBase
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, WindowsLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
CategoryTechnologyAPIs
Founded20222021

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Plane

  • Issue tracking
  • Cycles (Sprints)
  • Modules
  • Views & layouts
  • Pages (Docs)
  • Analytics
  • API access
  • GitHub

Only in PocketBase

  • REST API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Admin UI
  • SQLite
  • File storage
  • Go support
  • Docker support
  • Self-hosted support

Both cover

  • Webhooks

What people use each for

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

Plane

  • Project and task management with cycles, modules, epics, and initiativesnot PocketBase
  • Documentation and knowledge management via workspace wiki tied to project worknot PocketBase
  • Sprint planning and issue triagenot PocketBase
  • Cross-functional collaboration with analytics and dashboardsnot PocketBase
  • Migration target from Jira, Linear, Monday, ClickUp, or Asananot PocketBase

PocketBase

  • Embedded realtime database with REST APInot Plane
  • Backend-as-a-service for single-file deploymentsnot Plane
  • Rapid application development with email/OAuth2 authenticationnot Plane
  • File storage and media attachment managementnot Plane
  • Lightweight alternative to Firebase or traditional backend infrastructurenot Plane
  • Go and JavaScript customisable application frameworknot Plane

Where each one falls short

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

Plane

  • Self-hosted Community edition requires managing your own Docker/Kubernetes infra plus your own PostgreSQL, Redis, and S3-compatible/GCS/MinIO storage; no single-binary install
  • Cloud Free tier caps at 12 users and 500 AI credits per seat per month
  • Substantial feature gating by tier: custom work item types, workspace wiki, time tracking, dashboards, initiatives, teamspaces, and integrations require Pro or above; LDAP, granular access control, and multi-workflow approvals require Enterprise Grid
  • Guest-to-paid-member ratio capped at 1:5 on the Pro plan

PocketBase

  • Requires technical expertise to deploy and maintain
  • No built-in hosting provided
  • Community support only

Pricing, plan by plan

Plane

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 500 AI credits per seat
    • Max 12 users
    • Unlimited projects
  • Pro$6/seat per month
    • 1,000 AI credits per seat
    • Unlimited users
    • Custom work item types
  • Business$13/seat per month
    • 2,000 AI credits per seat
    • Unlimited users
    • Project templates, recurring work items
  • Enterprise Grid$null/mo
    • Flexible AI credit allocation
    • Private deployments
    • Granular access control

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Plane if

  • You need issue tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want cycles (sprints).
Plane review

Choose PocketBase if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
  • You also want real-time subscriptions.
PocketBase review

Questions people ask

Is Plane or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Plane starts at Free and PocketBase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Plane or PocketBase?
Plane starts at Free and PocketBase at Free.
Does Plane or PocketBase run on more platforms?
Plane runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows. PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
Can I use Plane for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Plane best used for?
Plane is most often used for project and task management with cycles, modules, epics, and initiatives, documentation and knowledge management via workspace wiki tied to project work, sprint planning and issue triage, cross-functional collaboration with analytics and dashboards. Of those, project and task management with cycles, modules, epics, and initiatives and documentation and knowledge management via workspace wiki tied to project work are not what PocketBase is typically brought in for.
What can Plane do that PocketBase cannot?
Plane covers Issue tracking, Cycles (Sprints), Modules, Views & layouts. PocketBase covers REST API, Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite. Both handle Webhooks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Plane: Does Plane offer a free plan?

Yes, Plane's free tier includes 500 AI credits per seat, support for up to 12 users, and access to projects, work items, cycles, modules, layouts, views, estimates, and pages.

Source
PocketBase: How much does PocketBase cost?

PocketBase is completely free and open-source. It is a self-hosted backend solution with database, authentication, and file storage capabilities at no cost.

Source
Plane: How much does Plane Pro cost?

Plane Pro costs $6/seat per month and saves 25% when billed annually. It includes 1,000 AI credits per seat, unlimited users, and access to custom work item types, wiki, time tracking, and integrations.

Source
PocketBase: Is PocketBase open-source?

Yes, PocketBase is open-source software. You can download, modify, and deploy it yourself at no cost with no licensing restrictions.

Source
Plane: What is the difference between Plane's paid tiers?

Pro ($6/seat/month) includes 1,000 AI credits and workspace wiki. Business ($13/seat/month) adds 2,000 AI credits, project templates, and recurring work items. Enterprise Grid offers custom pricing with multiple workflows and LDAP support.

Source
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