Appwrite vs PlanetScale: BaaS vs Serverless MySQL
Appwrite is a complete backend platform. PlanetScale is focused serverless MySQL. Complete backend vs specialised database.
Last updated: 2026-03
In This Comparison
300%+ average ROI from custom software within three years of deployment
Source: Forrester 2024
3-10x faster development speed when using AI coding assistants
Source: McKinsey 2025
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | appwrite | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Full backend | Database only |
| Pricing | $15/mo cloud | $39/mo |
| Database | MariaDB-based | MySQL (Vitess) |
| Best For | Self-hosted backends | MySQL at scale |
| Schema Branching | Not available | Git-like branching |
appwrite
- Scope
- Full backend
- Pricing
- $15/mo cloud
- Database
- MariaDB-based
- Best For
- Self-hosted backends
- Schema Branching
- Not available
PlanetScale
- Scope
- Database only
- Pricing
- $39/mo
- Database
- MySQL (Vitess)
- Best For
- MySQL at scale
- Schema Branching
- Git-like branching
Winner by Category
Best for Completeness
appwriteAuth, storage, functions included
Best for Mysql
PlanetScaleBest serverless MySQL with Vitess scaling
Best Value
appwriteLower price with more features
Our Recommendation
Choose Appwrite for a complete backend. Pick PlanetScale specifically for production MySQL with schema branching.
“The best tool depends on what you are building and how you work. There is no universal winner. Pick the one that fits your workflow and budget, then ship something.”
When to Choose Each Tool
Choose Appwrite
Need a complete backend platform
Choose PlanetScale
Specifically need serverless MySQL at scale
Overview
Appwrite and PlanetScale serve different needs. Appwrite is a complete backend with auth, databases, storage, and functions. PlanetScale provides serverless MySQL with git-like schema branching, powered by Vitess. Appwrite gives you a complete platform; PlanetScale gives you the best possible MySQL experience.
Choosing
If you want a complete backend from a single provider, Appwrite provides everything. If you specifically need MySQL with horizontal scaling and schema branching for production workloads, PlanetScale is purpose-built for that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Appwrite support MySQL?
Appwrite uses MariaDB internally, which is MySQL-compatible. PlanetScale provides full MySQL via Vitess.
Can PlanetScale provide auth?
No. PlanetScale is database-only. Appwrite includes authentication as part of its platform.
Which scales better?
PlanetScale with Vitess handles massive MySQL workloads. Appwrite scales well but is not designed for extreme database throughput.
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