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Neon
What it is
Neon is a managed, cloud-hosted PostgreSQL service for relational databases, with compute that adjusts to workload and can suspend during inactivity before restarting when activity returns. Its isolated database branches can be created in about a second and share data through copy-on-write storage. Neon also offers PgBouncer connection pooling, read replicas, high availability, point-in-time recovery, JSON support, and seven-day backup retention. An API supports programmatic project and database management, and documented workflows cover Vercel, Prisma, Drizzle ORM, GitHub Actions, and its CLI. The Free plan is free and lists 10 projects, 50 CU-hours per month per project, 0.5 GB storage per project, 10 branches per project, and 5 GB monthly egress. Launch is $0.11 a month, billed at $0.106 per CU-hour; Scale is $0.22 a month, billed at $0.222 per CU-hour. Neon states that stored data uses AES-256 encryption and transit uses TLS 1.2 or higher. It says it joined Databricks in May 2025 and is now part of the Databricks Platform.
For and against
For
- Compute scales with workload and can suspend during inactivity.
- Isolated branches share data through copy-on-write storage.
- Supports read replicas and point-in-time recovery.
- Free plan includes 10 projects per account.
- API supports programmatic project and database management.
Against
- Free plan limits storage to 0.5 GB per project.
- Free plan includes 5 GB monthly egress.
- Backup retention is seven days.
The verdict
Neon combines managed PostgreSQL hosting with workload-based compute, database branching, and programmatic controls. Its free plan has defined project, storage, branch, and egress limits, while Launch and Scale use usage-based billing.
Who it suits
Neon suits developers and teams building relational database-backed projects that need managed cloud hosting, branching, or programmatic administration. Its Launch plan is described for growing projects and early startups, while Scale is intended for production workloads requiring advanced security, availability, and compliance features.
Plans and prices
Free
10 projects · 50 CU-hours/month per project · 0.5 GB storage per project · 10 branches/project
Read 30 Sep 2026 · neon.com
Launch
Usage-based with no monthly minimum · 10 branches/project included, then $0.002 per branch-hour · autoscaling up to 16 CU · 100 GB/month egress
Read 30 Sep 2026 · neon.com
Scale
1,000 projects · 99.95% SLA-backed uptime · private networking and IP allow lists · 25 branches/project included
Read 30 Sep 2026 · neon.com
On the record
- API
- Neon provides an API for managing projects and databases programmatically.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Autoscaling
- Neon automatically adjusts database compute resources based on workload.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Branching
- Neon database branches are isolated, can be created in about a second, and share data through copy-on-write storage.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Company
- Neon says it joined Databricks in May 2025 and is now part of the Databricks Platform.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Compliance
- Neon states it undergoes annual SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 audits, and has achieved HIPAA compliance.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Connection pooling
- Neon supports connection pooling using PgBouncer.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- Neon documents integrations and workflows involving Vercel, Prisma, Drizzle ORM, GitHub Actions, and its CLI.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Product
- Neon describes itself as a serverless, cloud-hosted PostgreSQL database service.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Scale to zero
- Neon can suspend compute after inactivity and restart it when database activity resumes.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- Neon states that stored data is encrypted with AES-256 and data in transit uses TLS 1.2 or higher.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Neon directs customers to its Discord community for questions and discussion.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Use cases
- Neon describes its Launch plan as suited to growing projects and early startups, and Scale as intended for production workloads requiring advanced security, availability, and compliance features.neon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
