TL;DR
Neon is a secure serverless Postgres platform with strong security defaults. It uses TLS encryption, supports database branching for safe development, and offers connection pooling that works well in serverless environments. Full Postgres compatibility means you get all of Postgres's security features. A safe choice for modern applications.
What is Neon?
Neon is a serverless Postgres platform that separates storage and compute, enabling instant branching, autoscaling, and scale-to-zero. It's fully Postgres-compatible and popular with Vercel, Next.js, and serverless applications. Offers a generous free tier.
Our Verdict
What's Good
- TLS encryption required
- Full Postgres security features
- Database branching
- SOC 2 Type II certified
- Connection pooling built-in
What to Watch
- Connection string management
- Branch credential separation
- Pooler vs direct connection
Security Features
Postgres Security: Neon inherits all Postgres security features including roles, row-level security (RLS), and fine-grained permissions.
Connection Options
| Connection Type | Use Case | Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pooled (port 5432) | Serverless, edge | TLS required |
| Direct (port 5432) | Long-running apps | TLS required |
| Neon serverless driver | Edge functions | HTTPS (WebSocket) |
Database Branching
Neon's branching provides security benefits similar to Git:
- Isolated data: Branches are copy-on-write, fully isolated
- Safe testing: Test migrations without affecting production
- Separate credentials: Each branch can have unique roles
- Instant rollback: Create a branch before risky operations
Pro Tip: Create a branch before running migrations. If something goes wrong, your production data is unaffected.
Postgres Security Features
Neon supports all Postgres security capabilities:
- Row-Level Security (RLS): Restrict data access per user
- Roles and Privileges: Fine-grained permission control
- SSL/TLS: Encrypted connections (required)
- Parameterized Queries: SQL injection prevention
Connection String Security
| Practice | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Storage | Environment variables only |
| Rotation | Reset password periodically |
| Branches | Different credentials per environment |
| Roles | Create app-specific roles with limited permissions |
Is Neon safe for production?
Yes, Neon is designed for production use. It's SOC 2 certified, uses TLS encryption, and provides all Postgres security features. Many companies run production workloads on Neon.
How does Neon compare to Supabase?
Both are Postgres-based and secure. Neon focuses on the database with branching and serverless scaling. Supabase adds auth, storage, and realtime features. Choose based on what you need beyond the database.
Should I use pooled or direct connections?
Use pooled connections for serverless/edge functions (they handle connection limits). Use direct connections for long-running applications that maintain persistent connections.