Supabase vs PlanetScale: Which Database is Right for Your AI Project?

Choosing the right database for your AI project can feel like navigating a maze. You want something that’s scalable, fast, and easy to integrate with your tech stack. In 2026, with the rise of AI applications, the decision often comes down to two heavyweights: Supabase and PlanetScale. Both offer unique features that cater to different needs, but which one is the better fit for your project? Let's break it down.

Overview of Supabase and PlanetScale

Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative that provides a real-time database, authentication, and storage. It’s built on PostgreSQL, making it a good choice for developers who prefer SQL databases.

PlanetScale, on the other hand, is built on MySQL and designed for serverless applications. It focuses on scalability and performance, allowing for horizontal scaling without the hassle of sharding.

Feature Comparison: Supabase vs PlanetScale

Let's dive into a feature-by-feature comparison to see how these two databases stack up against each other.

| Feature | Supabase | PlanetScale | |-----------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------------| | Database Type | PostgreSQL | MySQL | | Pricing | Free tier + $25/mo pro | Free tier + $49/mo pro | | Scalability | Vertical scaling | Horizontal scaling | | Real-time capabilities | Yes | No | | SQL support | Full SQL support | Full SQL support | | Ideal for | Rapid prototyping, MVPs | Production apps, high traffic| | Limitations | Limited to PostgreSQL features | MySQL limitations on certain SQL features | | Our Verdict | Great for startups needing quick feedback | Best for long-term scaling needs |

Pricing Breakdown

When you're building an AI project, cost is always a consideration. Here’s a more detailed pricing breakdown for both databases.

Supabase Pricing:

• Free Tier: Includes up to 500 MB of database storage and 2 GB of file storage.
• Pro Plan: $25/month for 8 GB of database storage and additional features like email authentication.

PlanetScale Pricing:

• Free Tier: Offers up to 1 database with 5 GB of storage.
• Pro Plan: $49/month for additional features and scaling options.

Best Use Cases for Each Database

Supabase

• Best for: Rapid prototyping and MVPs, particularly for AI projects that require real-time data updates.
• Limitations: Limited to PostgreSQL features, which might not support some complex queries or data types needed for advanced AI models.

PlanetScale

• Best for: Production applications that expect high traffic and need to scale without downtime.
• Limitations: Some MySQL-specific limitations on advanced SQL functionalities, which might restrict certain AI data handling.

Decision Framework: Choose Your Database

When deciding between Supabase and PlanetScale, consider the following:

• Choose Supabase if: You need real-time capabilities and are building a prototype or MVP. It’s also great if you’re already familiar with PostgreSQL.
• Choose PlanetScale if: You expect your application to grow significantly and need a database that scales seamlessly without the overhead of manual management.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re just starting out with an AI project and need something that you can set up quickly, go with Supabase. It's user-friendly and provides the tools necessary for rapid iteration. However, if you’re looking at a project that could scale significantly and handle high traffic, PlanetScale is the way to go.

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we lean towards Supabase for our smaller projects and MVPs due to its ease of use and real-time features. For larger applications that require robust scaling, we turn to PlanetScale.