Does PlanetScale Work With Netlify?
PlanetScale and Netlify work seamlessly together for building full-stack applications with serverless databases and functions.
Quick Facts
How PlanetScale Works With Netlify
PlanetScale and Netlify integrate naturally because both are serverless-first platforms designed for modern development workflows. You connect PlanetScale to Netlify Functions or Edge Functions using standard MySQL connection strings—PlanetScale provides a secure connection URI that works with any MySQL client library. The workflow is straightforward: set your PlanetScale credentials as Netlify environment variables, use them in your serverless functions, and deploy. PlanetScale's branching feature pairs well with Netlify's preview deployments, letting you test against isolated database branches before merging to production. The main architectural consideration is connection pooling—Netlify Functions are ephemeral, so use PlanetScale's connection pooling endpoint (not the direct MySQL endpoint) to avoid connection exhaustion. Most developers use a query library like Prisma or Drizzle ORM which handles connection management automatically, making the experience nearly friction-free.
Best Use Cases
Quick Setup
npm install @prisma/client prisma// netlify/functions/users.ts
import { PrismaClient } from '@prisma/client';
const prisma = new PrismaClient();
export default async (req: Request) => {
try {
const users = await prisma.user.findMany({
take: 10,
});
return new Response(JSON.stringify(users), {
status: 200,
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
});
} catch (error) {
return new Response(JSON.stringify({ error: error.message }), {
status: 500,
});
} finally {
await prisma.$disconnect();
}
};
// .env.local
// DATABASE_URL=mysql://[user]:[password]@[host]/[database]?schema=publicKnown Issues & Gotchas
Using direct MySQL endpoint instead of pooling endpoint causes connection limits to be exceeded
Fix: Always use the 'Node.js (Pooling)' connection string variant from PlanetScale dashboard, not the raw MySQL endpoint
Cold starts on Netlify Functions may cause noticeable latency on first database query
Fix: Use connection pooling and consider Netlify Edge Functions for lower-latency queries, or implement caching strategies
PlanetScale free tier has limited row read counts that can be consumed quickly under traffic
Fix: Monitor your Insights dashboard and optimize N+1 queries; consider paid tier for production
Environment variables containing connection strings may be logged in Netlify build logs
Fix: Use Netlify's encrypted environment variables and never commit credentials; rotate keys regularly
Alternatives
- •Supabase (PostgreSQL) with Netlify—more feature-rich but heavier than PlanetScale
- •Firebase Realtime Database with Netlify Functions—fully managed but less SQL-friendly
- •AWS RDS Aurora Serverless with Netlify—more powerful but requires more infrastructure knowledge
Resources
Related Compatibility Guides
Explore more compatibility guides