Neon
Serverless Postgres with branching and scale-to-zero
Overview
Neon brings the serverless model to PostgreSQL. Your database scales to zero when idle (no charges for unused time), automatically scales compute based on load, and separates storage from compute so you pay for each independently. For development databases and low-traffic applications, the cost savings are substantial.
Database branching is Neon's killer feature for development workflows. Create a branch of your production database in seconds - a full copy of your schema and data - for testing migrations, developing features, or debugging issues. Branches are copy-on-write, so they consume minimal additional storage.
The developer experience is exceptional. Connect with any PostgreSQL client or ORM, use the familiar SQL interface, and benefit from Neon's serverless infrastructure without changing your application code. The transition from traditional PostgreSQL to Neon requires zero code changes.
Key Features
Scale to Zero
No charges when your database is idle
Database Branching
Create instant copy-on-write branches for development
Auto-Scaling
Compute scales based on query load automatically
Standard PostgreSQL
Full compatibility with any PostgreSQL client or ORM
Connection Pooling
Built-in connection pooler for serverless environments
Point-in-Time Recovery
Restore to any point in the last 30 days
Why We Recommend Neon
Neon's branching feature has transformed our development workflow. Testing migrations against a branch of production data catches issues that staging environments miss. The serverless pricing means development databases cost nearly nothing.