Quick answer
Aiven - Aiven gives you one always-on PostgreSQL service with 1 GB of storage and no credit card. Neon gives you up to 100 projects at 0.5 GB each, with 100 compute-hours per project every month. Neon fits many small databases. Aiven fits one steady database.
How the free tiers compare
Aiven's free PostgreSQL service has 1 GB of storage and 1 GB of RAM on one dedicated VM. You cannot pick the cloud or region, and it has no connection pooling. Neon's free plan allows 100 projects with 0.5 GB of storage each, 100 CU-hours per project each month, compute up to 2 CU (8 GB RAM) and unlimited team members. Both free plans start without a credit card.
Aiven vs Neon Serverless Postgres free tier, side by side
| AivenFTV 59 | Neon Serverless PostgresFTV 60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 1 GB | 0.5 GB per project, 100 projects |
| Free compute | 1 dedicated VM, 1 CPU, 1 GB RAM | 100 CU-hours per project each month, up to 2 CU (8 GB RAM) |
| Free plan limits | No choice of cloud or region, no connection pooling | Unlimited team members |
| First paid plan | Developer - $5/mo, 1 CPU, 1 GB RAM, 8 GB storage | Launch - usage-based, $0.106 per CU-hour and $0.35 per GB-month |
| Next plan up | Hobbyist - from $12/mo, 8 GB storage | Scale - $0.222 per CU-hour and $0.35 per GB-month, sizes up to 56 CU |
After you outgrow the free tier
Aiven prices PostgreSQL by plan. Developer costs $5 a month for 8 GB of storage, and Hobbyist starts at $12 a month. Startup starts at $75 a month with a 99.99% uptime SLA. Neon bills by use. Launch charges $0.106 per CU-hour and $0.35 per GB-month, with sizes up to 16 CU. Scale charges $0.222 per CU-hour with sizes up to 56 CU.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Aiven | Neon Serverless Postgres |
|---|---|---|
| 8 GB of storage, storage cost only | $5/mo for Developer, which includes 8 GB | $2.80/mo at $0.35 per GB-month, plus compute at $0.106 per CU-hour |
| 10 CU-hours of compute in a month | Included in the flat plan price | $1.06 at $0.106 per CU-hour |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Aiven when…
- You run one database and want 1 GB of storage in it.
- You want a service that stays on, with 1 GB of RAM reserved for it.
- Your next step is a flat $5 a month for 8 GB of storage.
Pick Neon Serverless Postgres when…
- You run many small databases, such as one per app or per branch. The free plan allows 100 projects.
- You want more than 1 GB of RAM. Free compute goes up to 2 CU, which is 8 GB.
- You have a team. Neon allows unlimited team members on the free plan.
Bottom line
Pick Aiven for one steady database that needs 1 GB. Pick Neon for many small databases or for more RAM. Both let you start without a card.
Read the full listings: Aiven and Neon Serverless Postgres. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.