Free PostgreSQL database hosting almost always means a managed free tier with small storage, inactivity pauses, and no automated backups you can rely on. AtrbCode's managed PostgreSQL Mini plan starts at $3.99 a month and includes 1 GB storage, nightly backups, TLS and an IP allow-list. This post compares the two so you can choose based on what your project actually needs.
What 'free PostgreSQL hosting' usually means
Free PostgreSQL hosting from cloud platforms usually works like this: you sign up, create a project, and get a running PostgreSQL instance with a small storage allowance. The catch is that the instance is not always on. Supabase's free plan, for example, gives 500 MB of storage and pauses the database after one week of inactivity. That makes free tiers a good fit for side projects and learning, but not for a store or a bot that expects the database to answer immediately.
Free tier limitations: storage, inactivity, backups
The three limitations that matter most are storage, inactivity pauses and backups.
- Storage: 500 MB sounds fine for a small project, but it fills quickly once you add users, logs or images. When you reach the limit, you have to delete data or upgrade.
- Inactivity pauses: If no request hits the database for a week, the free instance pauses. The next request often has to wait for it to wake up, which can cause timeouts in your application.
- Backups: On the free tier, Supabase does not include automated backups. You are responsible for exporting your own dumps and keeping them safe. If you forget, you can lose data.
When a $3.99 managed plan makes sense
A paid plan is worth it when the database is part of a product that must be available. Specifically:
- You have real users or a small business application.
- You need nightly backups you can restore with one click.
- You want a database that does not pause after inactivity.
- You need TLS and an IP allow-list for secure access.
- You prefer a fixed monthly price over a usage-based model that can surprise you.
If you are in one of those situations, the entry plan at AtrbCode's managed databases is a practical step up. You get a predictable price and a database that behaves like a production service.
AtrbCode Mini: exact specs and how it compares
The Mini plan costs $3.99 a month. Every payment adds a $1.00 service fee, and the first database plan on an account adds a one-time $2.00 account fee. That price is not a trial: it is the normal monthly rate for a small production PostgreSQL 16 database.
Here is what the Mini plan includes:
- 256 MB RAM and 1 GB storage.
- PostgreSQL 16 as one of the supported engines (MariaDB, MySQL, MongoDB and Valkey are also available at the same price).
- Nightly backups kept for 7 days, with one-click restore and backup download.
- TLS encryption in transit, which you can require.
- An IP allow-list so only your applications can connect.
- An in-browser console: SQL, MongoDB shell and Valkey commands, read-only by default.
The server runs in Frankfurt, Germany.
| Feature | Supabase Free | AtrbCode Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $3.99/month + $1.00 service fee per payment; one-time $2.00 account fee on first database plan |
| Storage | 500 MB | 1 GB |
| Inactivity pause | After 1 week inactive | No pause |
| Backups | None on Free | Nightly, 7 kept, one-click restore, download |
| TLS | TLS | TLS, can be required |
| IP allow-list | Network restrictions | Yes |
| In-browser console | SQL editor | SQL, MongoDB shell and Valkey commands (read-only by default) |
As the table shows, the Mini plan is not just more space. It removes the inactivity pause, adds real backups and gives you the security controls you need for a production application.
How to migrate from a free PostgreSQL database
The migration is straightforward if you use standard PostgreSQL tools.
- Run
pg_dumpagainst your free PostgreSQL instance to export all schemas and data. - Create a new database on AtrbCode and choose PostgreSQL 16 as the engine.
- Restore the dump into the new database using
psqlor the restore tool you prefer. - Update your application's connection string to point to the new AtrbCode host, port and database name.
- Set the IP allow-list in the AtrbCode panel to the IP addresses of your application servers or local machine.
- Test a few read and write queries, then stop the free instance once you are confident everything works.
Take a fresh backup after the migration so you have a recent snapshot in the new environment.
FAQ
Is there a truly free PostgreSQL hosting option that stays available?
No. Supabase's free plan has 500 MB of storage and pauses after one week of inactivity, so it is not always on. Our own entry plan is $3.99 a month and removes the pause.
Does AtrbCode offer a free PostgreSQL database?
No. Our entry plan is the Mini plan at $3.99 a month. It includes 1 GB storage, nightly backups and no inactivity pause.
What does the $3.99 Mini plan include exactly?
It includes 256 MB RAM, 1 GB storage, PostgreSQL 16, nightly backups kept 7 days with one-click restore and download, TLS encryption, an IP allow-list and an in-browser console (read-only by default).
Do I pay the same price for PostgreSQL and MySQL?
Yes. All database engines on AtrbCode cost the same on the same plan. MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB and Valkey are priced per plan, not per engine.
How do I move from Supabase free to AtrbCode?
Dump your database with pg_dump, create a PostgreSQL 16 database on AtrbCode, restore the dump, update your connection string and set the IP allow-list. Then switch off the free instance.
If you are deciding between a free PostgreSQL tier and a managed plan, start with our Managed PostgreSQL from $3.99/mo page or the full database comparison. For a deeper look at the Mini plan against larger clouds, read Managed PostgreSQL Hosting: $3.99 Mini Plan vs Big Clouds.
