Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work in maintaining this directory.
Supabase
Open-source Firebase alternative with PostgreSQL and real-time features.
About Supabase
Supabase is an open-source backend-as-a-service (BaaS) that provides a full PostgreSQL database, authentication, real-time subscriptions, edge functions, file storage, and vector embeddings out of the box. Often described as the open-source Firebase alternative, Supabase lets developers build production-ready backends in hours instead of weeks. Its dashboard provides a spreadsheet-like table editor, SQL editor, and database management tools. Row-level security policies handle authorization at the database level. The free tier includes 500 MB database storage, 1 GB file storage, and 50,000 monthly active users — generous enough for MVPs and side projects.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Open source — no vendor lock-in
- +Full PostgreSQL power with a managed experience
- +Generous free tier for side projects
- +Real-time and auth built in from day one
- +Excellent developer documentation
Cons
- -Fewer managed services compared to Firebase
- -Edge Functions still maturing
- -Self-hosting requires significant DevOps knowledge
- -Connection pooling can be tricky at scale