Supabase vs PlanetScale: Which MCP should you use?
Supabase
Open-source Firebase alternative on Postgres
PlanetScale
Serverless MySQL platform with branching
TL;DR
Supabase is a Postgres-based BaaS with auth, storage, and realtime. PlanetScale is serverless MySQL (Vitess) with branching, schema workflows, and massive horizontal scale. Supabase gives you a full backend; PlanetScale gives you a bulletproof MySQL database.
Pick Supabase
Pick Supabase when you need a full backend (DB + auth + storage + realtime + functions).
Pick PlanetScale
Pick PlanetScale when you want serverless MySQL with branching, zero downtime, and Vitess scale.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | 🟢Supabase | 🪐PlanetScale | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Database engine | Postgres | MySQL (Vitess) | Tie |
| Branching / schema workflow | Branching + migrations | Industry-leading branching | B |
| Auth built-in | Yes | No | A |
| Storage built-in | Yes | No | A |
| Realtime subs | Yes | No | A |
| Horizontal scaling | Read replicas | Vitess shards (massive) | B |
| Schema deploy safety | Standard migrations | Deploy Requests, zero-dt | B |
| Open source core | Yes | Vitess yes, platform no | A |
Database engine
TieSupabase
Postgres
PlanetScale
MySQL (Vitess)
Branching / schema workflow
BSupabase
Branching + migrations
PlanetScale
Industry-leading branching
Auth built-in
ASupabase
Yes
PlanetScale
No
Storage built-in
ASupabase
Yes
PlanetScale
No
Realtime subs
ASupabase
Yes
PlanetScale
No
Horizontal scaling
BSupabase
Read replicas
PlanetScale
Vitess shards (massive)
Schema deploy safety
BSupabase
Standard migrations
PlanetScale
Deploy Requests, zero-dt
Open source core
ASupabase
Yes
PlanetScale
Vitess yes, platform no
Best for
Supabase
- Auth built-in: Yes
- Storage built-in: Yes
- Realtime subs: Yes
- Open source core: Yes
Best for
PlanetScale
- Branching / schema workflow: Industry-leading branching
- Horizontal scaling: Vitess shards (massive)
- Schema deploy safety: Deploy Requests, zero-dt
Migration path
Different engines: you're migrating MySQL↔Postgres at the same time. Use pgloader (MySQL→PG) or a CDC tool like Debezium for low-downtime moves. Re-implement auth via Supabase Auth or bring your own (Clerk/Auth.js + PlanetScale). Realtime has no PlanetScale equivalent — rebuild on Pusher, Ably, or keep Supabase for that subset.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Supabase and PlanetScale?
Supabase is a Postgres-based BaaS with auth, storage, and realtime. PlanetScale is serverless MySQL (Vitess) with branching, schema workflows, and massive horizontal scale. Supabase gives you a full backend; PlanetScale gives you a bulletproof MySQL database. In short: Supabase — Open-source Firebase alternative on Postgres. PlanetScale — Serverless MySQL platform with branching.
When should I pick Supabase over PlanetScale?
Pick Supabase when you need a full backend (DB + auth + storage + realtime + functions).
When should I pick PlanetScale over Supabase?
Pick PlanetScale when you want serverless MySQL with branching, zero downtime, and Vitess scale.
Can I migrate from one to the other?
Different engines: you're migrating MySQL↔Postgres at the same time. Use pgloader (MySQL→PG) or a CDC tool like Debezium for low-downtime moves. Re-implement auth via Supabase Auth or bring your own (Clerk/Auth.js + PlanetScale). Realtime has no PlanetScale equivalent — rebuild on Pusher, Ably, or keep Supabase for that subset.
Do Supabase and PlanetScale both work with MCP-compatible AI agents?
Yes. Both have MCP servers installable via MCPizy (mcpizy install supabase and mcpizy install planetscale). They work identically across Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, and any other MCP-compatible client. You can install both side by side and route queries in your agent's prompt.
More Backend Platforms comparisons
Hasura vs Supabase
Hasura gives you instant GraphQL + REST API over Postgres (or MySQL, SQL Server) with deep permission rules. Supabase gives you auto-REST (PostgREST) plus auth, storage, edge functions, realtime — broader but less GraphQL-native. Hasura wins for GraphQL-first teams; Supabase wins as a full BaaS.
Firebase vs Appwrite
Firebase is the Google BaaS — Firestore, Auth, Cloud Functions, FCM, Remote Config. Appwrite is the open-source alternative — self-hostable, similar feature set, permissive license. For Google-tied mobile teams, Firebase. For self-host / open-source, Appwrite.
Install both with MCPizy
Not sure? Run both side by side — swap between them in your AI agent with a single config line.