JumpCloud vs PlanetScale — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
JumpCloud starts at $19/mo. PlanetScale starts at $5/mo. PlanetScale is $14/mo cheaper on the entry tier than JumpCloud.
See price history: JumpCloud · PlanetScale
Open directory platform combining identity management (SSO, MFA), device management (MDM for Mac/Windows/Linux), and password management in one tool. Positioned as the SMB-friendly alternative to running Okta + Jamf + LastPass separately. Distinctive for supporting Linux devices natively (rare among MDM tools) and offering a free tier for up to 10 users + 10 devices. Priced modularly ($11-$25/user/mo) or bundled in Platform ($19) or Platform Prime ($25). Popular with 20-500 person tech companies without dedicated IT ops. $2.56B valuation (2021 Series F).
Serverless MySQL platform built on Vitess (YouTube's original scaling infra). Positioned as the alternative to Amazon Aurora for teams that need horizontal scale with zero downtime schema changes. PS-5 cluster starts at $39/mo, HA clusters from $59/mo. Distinctive for branching + deploy requests (git-like workflow for schema changes). Killed its free tier in April 2024 — controversial move that drove users to Neon + Turso.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | JumpCloud monthly | JumpCloud annual | PlanetScale monthly | PlanetScale annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | Free / Hobby | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | Device Management / $5 PlanetScale | $11 | $11 | $5 | $5 |
| Mid tier 1 | Core Directory / — | $15 | $15 | — | — |
| Mid tier 2 | Platform / — | $19 | $19 | — | — |
| Pro / power | Platform Prime / — | $25 | $25 | — | — |
| Enterprise | — / Enterprise | — | — | Custom | Custom |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
JumpCloud is worth it if… growing tech companies (10-500 employees) that need identity + device + password management in one tool — particularly if you're running Mac + Linux + Windows without dedicated IT staff. Free covers up to 10 users + 10 devices (real free tier); Core Directory adds unified identity for larger teams; Platform ($19/user) bundles everything (identity + MDM + apps + patching + password manager); Platform Prime ($25) adds 24/7 support and cert management.
PlanetScale is worth it if… developers who want serverless MySQL with branching (Git-like schema changes) and read replicas — particularly for high-traffic apps that outgrow shared Postgres. New $5/mo tier launched 2026 undercutting AWS RDS on entry pricing; Scaler adds more resources; Enterprise custom.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose JumpCloud over PlanetScale if…
Choose JumpCloud if…
- You're comfortable with JumpCloud's from $19/mo entry point.
- You match the profile JumpCloud is built for: growing tech companies (10-500 employees) that need identity + device + password management in one tool — particularly if you're running Mac + Linux + Windows without dedicated IT staff.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose PlanetScale if…
- You're comfortable with PlanetScale's from $5/mo entry point.
- You match the profile PlanetScale is built for: developers who want serverless MySQL with branching (Git-like schema changes) and read replicas — particularly for high-traffic apps that outgrow shared Postgres.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| JumpCloud | PlanetScale | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $19/mo | $5/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | — | — |
| Verification | Pricing under review | Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified October 3, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about JumpCloud and PlanetScale
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- How much does PlanetScale cost in 2026?
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