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CockroachDB vs PocketBase
Side-by-side comparison of CockroachDB and PocketBase.
Quick summary
CockroachDB — Distributed SQL built for scale. CockroachDB Cloud is a distributed SQL database with Postgres wire compatibility and global horizontal scale.
PocketBase — Open source backend in 1 file. PocketBase is an open-source Go backend, bundled as a single executable, with embedded SQLite, auth, realtime, and admin UI.
Feature comparison
| Feature | CockroachDB | PocketBase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $0.50/hour | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | Distributed SQL (Postgres-compatible) | — |
| Branching | No | — |
| Free Tier | 5GB + 50M RUs | Unlimited (self-host) |
| Serverless | Yes | — |
| Scale-to-zero | Yes | — |
| Point-in-time Recovery | Yes | — |
| Auth | — | Yes |
| Storage | — | Yes |
| Database | — | SQLite |
| Realtime | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Edge Functions | — | No |
| Row Level Security | — | Yes |
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL built for scale
Pros
- Horizontal SQL scaling
- Strong consistency
- Postgres wire-compatible
Cons
- Higher latency vs single-region Postgres
- Complex pricing
PocketBase
Open source backend in 1 file
Pros
- Zero-config single binary
- Fast and lightweight
- Great for small-to-medium apps
Cons
- SQLite limits horizontal scale
- Single maintainer
- No managed cloud offering
Which should you choose?
Choose CockroachDB if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose PocketBase if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, CockroachDB or PocketBase?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, PocketBase is the safer default because PocketBase has a larger community and more third-party integrations, which often translates to better long-term support. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is CockroachDB cheaper than PocketBase?
CockroachDB starts at $0.50/hour, while PocketBase starts at Free. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from CockroachDB to PocketBase?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply CockroachDB-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most database migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is CockroachDB or PocketBase open source?
Yes, both CockroachDB and PocketBase are open source and can be self-hosted.
Does CockroachDB or PocketBase have a free tier?
Both CockroachDB and PocketBase offer a free tier.
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 PocketBase. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.