Serverless PostgreSQL
A real Postgres in seconds. Free tier, no credit card, the same drivers, ORMs, and migration tools you already use. Cloud, desktop, or self-host with SpinDB.
Tables
- users
- events
- orders
- sessions
| id | name | created_at |
|---|---|---|
| 1247 | signup | 2026-03-12 14:21 |
| 1246 | purchase | 2026-03-12 14:08 |
| 1245 | login | 2026-03-12 13:55 |
| 1244 | signup | 2026-03-12 13:44 |
| 1243 | purchase | 2026-03-12 13:30 |
Where to run it
Cloud, desktop, or self-host
One database, three places it can live. Pick the speed you want and move between them when you outgrow it.
Branch PostgreSQL in seconds
Fork a running PostgreSQL into a full, isolated copy with its own connection string. Copy-on-write makes it near-instant, not a dump and restore. Point a preview deploy at it, test a migration, then throw it away. Layerbase branches 9 engines, not just Postgres.
See how branching worksWhat you get
Production features, free tier included
Every PostgreSQL database ships with the same primitives: TLS, web console, hibernation, and a real dashboard. No tiered features hidden behind a sales call.
Web IDE
Query console in the dashboard, no extra client to install.
TLS by default
All connections encrypted. No setup required.
Always-on connections
Pin a database to your always-on pool to prevent hibernation.
Scale to zero
Hibernates when idle. Wakes on the next connection.
Connection pooling
Pooled endpoint for serverless and edge workloads.
Direct connections
Bypass the pooler for migrations and replication.
Native HTTPS endpoint
Engines whose own wire protocol speaks HTTPS. Every database, including this one, is also queryable over the platform's HTTPS query API and web console.
Serverless driver
Drop-in HTTP driver for edge runtimes (Upstash REST, PlanetScale, or the engine-native client).
IP whitelisting
Restrict access to specific IPs or CIDR ranges.
Automatic backups
Scheduled dumps and volume snapshots with one-click restore on paid plans. Free tier includes a manual backup slot.
Quick start
Connect with any PostgreSQL client
Primary application databases, SaaS backends, transactional workloads, and frameworks that expect a normal Postgres URL.
- Drop a managed Postgres behind a side project without paying for a dedicated instance
- Per-tenant or per-developer databases that scale to zero between bursts
- Run logical replication or migration tooling against the direct connection string
- Serve a serverless app with the pooled connection string from edge runtimes
- Self-host on your own hardware with SpinDB when compliance requires it
psql "postgresql://layerbase:password@your-host.cloud.layerbase.dev:5432/app?sslmode=require"
Already have data? Migrate it from Neon, Supabase, Render, and more Any connection string works too.
More on PostgreSQL
All articles- July 3, 2026
Migrating from Neon to Layerbase
Move your Neon Postgres to flat-priced managed Postgres in one pass. The database is the easy part. This is the honest version, including what happens to Neon Auth and how the pooled connection string trips people up.
Read - June 27, 2026
Should I use Lakebase for Postgres?
Lakebase is Databricks' managed Postgres, built on the Neon platform they bought for $1 billion. It is a good database. It is also one more Postgres provider now owned by a $60B enterprise company, with metered billing and a roadmap that answers to enterprise data teams. Here is the honest comparison, and where Layerbase fits.
Read - June 25, 2026
Should you use Cloud Clusters PostgreSQL hosting (pgsclusters)?
An honest look at Cloud Clusters PostgreSQL hosting (pgsclusters.com): what it does well, where it falls short, and why we think Layerbase is the better home for a managed Postgres in almost every case.
Read - June 23, 2026
Migrating a Railway database to Layerbase
Railway is a great place to ship an app and a usage-metered place to keep a database. Here is how to move your Railway Postgres, MySQL, or Redis to flat-priced managed Layerbase with one token.
Read - June 23, 2026
Migrating from Render Postgres to Layerbase
Render's free Postgres expires after 90 days and the paid tiers climb fast. Here is how to move to managed Postgres on Layerbase with one API key, with no expiry clock and flat pricing.
Read
Questions
Common PostgreSQL questions
Which PostgreSQL version do you run?+
Layerbase Cloud tracks the latest stable PostgreSQL major version. The dashboard shows the exact version, and the supported versions list is visible in the create flow so you can pin a specific one.
Do you support extensions like pg_vector or PostGIS?+
Most popular extensions are available out of the box. The dashboard exposes the extension list per database; if something you need is missing, open an issue and we will look at adding it.
Pooled vs direct connection strings?+
Pooled is the right default for serverless and connection-heavy web apps; it multiplexes requests so you do not exhaust the server connection limit. Direct bypasses the pooler and is required for migrations, logical replication, and tools that hold a session.
What about backups?+
Free databases hibernate but persist their data; paid plans add scheduled snapshots with 7 or 30 day retention and one-click restore. Manual snapshots are available on demand.
Can I run PostgreSQL locally too?+
Yes. SpinDB is our open-source CLI for managing local Postgres versions, schemas, and seed data; Layerbase Desktop wraps SpinDB with a GUI for the same workflows.