Comparison

Neon vs PostgreSQL

Overview

Serverless Postgres built for the cloud

Neon is a serverless PostgreSQL database with branching, autoscaling to zero, and a generous free tier, optimized for modern cloud-native development workflows.

PostgreSQL

The world's most advanced open-source relational database.

postgresql.org →

PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source object-relational database with 35+ years of active development. It is known for reliability, standards compliance, extensibility (JSON, full-text search, pgvector) and strong ACID guarantees, making it a default choice for everything from small apps to large-scale analytics.

Which should you choose?

Neon is managed serverless Postgres with branching and autoscaling-to-zero, freemium from a free tier to $700/month Business. Vanilla PostgreSQL is the free, open-source engine itself, with no license cost but full operational responsibility on you (or a host of your choosing). Choose Neon if you want Postgres's power without managing servers; choose self-hosted PostgreSQL if you want zero licensing cost and full control over where and how it runs.

TLDR

—If you want Postgres's power without managing servers yourself, choose Neon.
—If you want zero licensing cost and full control over your infrastructure, self-host PostgreSQL.

Features

—Serverless Postgres
—Database branching
—Autoscaling to zero
—Point-in-time restore
—Read replicas
—Instant provisioning
—IP allowlists
—Connection pooling

—Full ACID compliance
—Advanced SQL and window functions
—JSONB document storage
—Extensions (pgvector, PostGIS, full-text search)
—Logical and streaming replication
—Strong data integrity and constraints

Pricing

Neon

freemiumFree plan available

Plan	Price	Notes
Free	Free	0.5 CU, 3GB storage, 1 project.
Launch	$19/mo	10 projects, 10GB storage.
Scale	$69/mo	50 projects, 50GB storage, read replicas.
Business	$700/mo	Unlimited projects, 500GB, SOC 2.
Enterprise	Contact sales	Custom storage, SLA, dedicated support.