SkySQL Serverless is the first true serverless database solution for the MySQL and MariaDB ecosystem, uniquely built to meet the dynamic demands of modern applications. Unlike other “serverless” offerings, SkySQL combines instant scalability with cost efficiency, scaling down to zero when idle—saving you from paying for unused capacity. When workloads resume, SkySQL is ready in milliseconds, ensuring a seamless, uninterrupted experience for applications and users. Built without forking the trusted open-source database, SkySQL also preserves full compatibility with the software developers know and trust.
Today, we’re introducing a forever free tier, perfect for development and testing environments, letting teams focus on building and innovating instead of managing infrastructure.
Why Serverless at the Database Level?
Most modern applications are already embracing serverless architectures, but databases pose unique challenges for dynamic scaling. Traditional databases need to maintain state and ensure high availability, making them more complex to scale up and down. However, the benefits of serverless computing—eliminating over-provisioning, scaling to zero during idle times, and instantly ramping up when needed—are even more crucial at the database layer.
In many cases, database over-provisioning can be one of the largest infrastructure costs for companies. Predicting the right amount of database capacity for changing workloads is nearly impossible. This is where serverless databases shine—they adapt dynamically to workloads, ensuring optimal resource utilization without manual intervention. With SkySQL Serverless, organizations can eliminate costs associated with idle databases, which scale down to zero and only consume resources when active.
How SkySQL Serverless is Different
While some cloud databases claim to be serverless, SkySQL takes scalability and cost-efficiency to the next level. Our approach uses cloud-native techniques without forking and re-architecting the trusted, open source database.
Here’s what makes SkySQL Serverless stand out:
- Instantaneous Scaling: SkySQL Serverless launches databases in milliseconds, providing exactly the compute and memory resources needed at any given time—ensuring no waste and no need for over-provisioning.
- Immediate Cold Start: Our system brings a fully isolated and secure database online instantly, ensuring no delays during initialization and delivering a seamless experience for your applications and users.
- Zero to Infinity: SkySQL Serverless scales all the way down to zero during idle periods, eliminating costs when your database isn’t actively in use. Unlike traditional auto-scaling solutions that often require payment for idle resources, SkySQL Serverless charges only for actual usage. When demand resumes, it instantly scales up to handle workloads, ensuring seamless, optimal performance for your applications.
Serverless vs Provisioned
For consistent workloads that require steady, always-on database performance and predictable cost, SkySQL’s provisioned offering remains available. Provisioned databases are ideal for production systems with predictable demand, ensuring optimal performance without needing the instant, dynamic scaling provided by serverless. SkySQL Serverless is perfect for spiky workloads and environments with frequent periods of inactivity, such as development and testing.
With SkySQL Serverless, you can forget about capacity planning and infrastructure maintenance. This means your team can focus more on innovation, while SkySQL handles your database performance seamlessly.
Ready to experience effortless scalability? Visit SkySQL today and start your journey toward a truly serverless database experience.
For a closer look into the technical design that enables SkySQL Serverless instant autoscaling, please read the associated blog.
