MongoDB vs Neon for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

MongoDB Overview

MongoDB stores data as JSON-like documents in collections instead of rows in tables. The schema-free approach means you can start storing data without defining a structure upfront. For JavaScript developers, documents feel natural because they map directly to objects.

MongoDB Atlas provides managed cloud hosting with a free tier (512 MB storage on a shared cluster). The ecosystem is mature: Mongoose for Node.js, PyMongo for Python, and official drivers for most languages. The community is large and active.

The trade-offs show up as applications grow. Without schema enforcement, data inconsistencies accumulate silently. Complex queries that would be simple SQL JOINs require multi-stage aggregation pipelines. Relationships between documents force you into denormalization patterns that create data duplication and update complexity.

Neon Overview

Neon is serverless PostgreSQL. You get a full Postgres database that autoscales based on demand, scales to zero when idle, and includes database branching for safe migration testing. It is PostgreSQL with modern serverless infrastructure underneath.

The free tier is solid: 0.5 GB storage, 190 compute hours per month, and branching support. For side projects and early-stage products, this is more than enough. The Pro tier at $19/month unlocks more storage and compute for production workloads.

What makes Neon compelling is that it is standard PostgreSQL. Every tool, ORM, and library that works with Postgres works with Neon. Prisma, Drizzle, Django ORM, SQLAlchemy, ActiveRecord. You are not learning a new query language or data model. You get the most feature-rich open-source database with zero server management.

Key Differences

Document model vs relational model. MongoDB stores flexible documents. Neon stores structured data in PostgreSQL tables. For most web applications (users, products, orders, subscriptions), data is inherently relational. JOINs in PostgreSQL handle these relationships naturally. In MongoDB, you either denormalize (duplicate data) or run multiple queries. The relational model is a better fit for the majority of solo developer projects.

PostgreSQL features are a superset. Neon gives you PostgreSQL, which includes JSONB for document-like storage, full-text search, array columns, CTEs, window functions, and extensions like PostGIS. You get relational capabilities plus document flexibility in one database. MongoDB gives you documents only. If you need relational queries in MongoDB, you hit a wall. If you need document storage in PostgreSQL, JSONB handles it.

Serverless architecture. Both MongoDB Atlas and Neon are managed services. But Neon's serverless model scales to zero, meaning you pay nothing when your database is idle. MongoDB's free tier is a shared cluster that is always running but limited to 512 MB. Neon's autoscaling adjusts compute to match your actual usage.

Database branching. Neon's branching feature lets you create isolated copies of your database for testing migrations, running experiments, or powering preview environments. MongoDB does not have an equivalent feature. You would need to manually create and restore database copies for similar workflows.

Pricing comparison. MongoDB Atlas free tier: 512 MB on a shared cluster. Neon free tier: 0.5 GB with autoscaling. For scaling up, Neon Pro at $19/month vs MongoDB's dedicated tier starting at $57/month. Neon is cheaper for equivalent capability.

Ecosystem compatibility. Neon is PostgreSQL, so it works with everything. Prisma, Drizzle, TypeORM, Sequelize, Django, Rails, Laravel. MongoDB requires MongoDB-specific drivers and ODMs. If you decide to switch from Neon to another PostgreSQL host, the migration is trivial. Switching from MongoDB requires rewriting your data layer.

When to Choose MongoDB

• Your data is genuinely document-oriented (CMS content, event logs, IoT data)
• You are deeply invested in the Mongoose/MongoDB ecosystem
• You need MongoDB Atlas Search for full-text search with advanced relevance
• Schema flexibility is more important than data integrity for your use case
• You prefer the MongoDB query language over SQL

When to Choose Neon

• You want PostgreSQL features without managing a server
• Your data is relational (users, products, orders, subscriptions)
• Database branching for safe migrations matters to you
• You want serverless scaling that adjusts to your traffic
• Ecosystem compatibility with every ORM and framework is important

The Verdict

Neon is the stronger choice for solo developers in 2026. The 9/10 vs 7/10 rating reflects a real difference in capability. Neon gives you PostgreSQL, which handles both relational and document data (via JSONB), plus serverless scaling, database branching, and compatibility with every tool in the ecosystem. MongoDB gives you document storage only.

For the majority of web applications solo developers build, relational data modeling with PostgreSQL is the right approach. Neon makes PostgreSQL accessible without server management, at a lower price point than MongoDB's paid tiers. Unless your data is exclusively document-oriented, Neon is the better foundation.