Head-to-Head Comparison
Firebase vs PlanetScale: NoSQL Platform vs MySQL
Firebase vs PlanetScale in 2026: NoSQL app platform vs serverless MySQL compared on pricing, scalability, and developer experience. Detailed feature tables and when to choose each.
Last updated: 2025-01
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Firebase | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Mobile apps | Scalable web |
| Learning Curve | Easy | Medium |
| Pricing | Pay as you go | Usage-based |
| Database Type | NoSQL | MySQL |
| Auth Included | Yes | No |
| Real-time | Excellent | No |
| Branching | No | Yes |
Firebase
- Best For
- Mobile apps
- Learning Curve
- Easy
- Pricing
- Pay as you go
- Database Type
- NoSQL
- Auth Included
- Yes
- Real-time
- Excellent
- Branching
- No
PlanetScale
- Best For
- Scalable web
- Learning Curve
- Medium
- Pricing
- Usage-based
- Database Type
- MySQL
- Auth Included
- No
- Real-time
- No
- Branching
- Yes
Winner by Category
Best for Beginners
FirebaseAll-in-one platform is simpler
Best for Customisation
PlanetScaleFull SQL power
Best for Speed
FirebaseFaster to build features
Best for Learning
PlanetScaleTeaches proper SQL
Best Value
TieBoth scale with usage
Our Recommendation
Choose Firebase for mobile apps and real-time features. Use PlanetScale when you need relational queries and database branching.
When to Choose Each Tool
1
Choose Firebase
Mobile apps or need real-time sync
2
Choose PlanetScale
Complex relational data and team workflows
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