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Appwrite vs PlanetScale
Side-by-side comparison of Appwrite and PlanetScale.
Quick summary
Appwrite — Open source backend platform for developers. Appwrite is an open-source end-to-end backend server that provides auth, databases, storage, functions, and messaging.
PlanetScale — The MySQL-compatible serverless database. PlanetScale is a MySQL-compatible serverless database built on Vitess with branching and non-blocking schema changes.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Appwrite | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $39/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Auth | Yes | — |
| Storage | Yes | — |
| Database | MariaDB | — |
| Realtime | Yes | — |
| Free Tier | Yes | Discontinued |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Edge Functions | Yes | — |
| Row Level Security | Yes | — |
| Engine | — | MySQL (Vitess) |
| Branching | — | Yes |
| Serverless | — | Yes |
| Scale-to-zero | — | No |
| Point-in-time Recovery | — | Yes |
Appwrite
Open source backend platform for developers
Pros
- Fully open source
- Self-hostable with Docker
- Multiple SDK languages
Cons
- Smaller community vs Supabase/Firebase
- Fewer third-party integrations
PlanetScale
The MySQL-compatible serverless database
Pros
- Horizontal scaling via Vitess
- Schema branching workflow
- Non-blocking migrations
Cons
- No free tier
- No foreign key constraints by default
- MySQL only
Which should you choose?
Choose Appwrite if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose PlanetScale if you need production-grade features and are ready to pay.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Appwrite or PlanetScale?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Appwrite is the safer default because Appwrite is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. PlanetScale is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Appwrite cheaper than PlanetScale?
Appwrite starts at $15/mo, while PlanetScale starts at $39/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Appwrite to PlanetScale?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Appwrite-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most backend as a service migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Appwrite or PlanetScale open source?
Appwrite is open source; PlanetScale is a proprietary managed service.
Does Appwrite or PlanetScale have a free tier?
Appwrite has a free tier; PlanetScale does not.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Appwrite. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.