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Appwrite vs Turso
Side-by-side comparison of Appwrite and Turso.
Quick summary
Appwrite — Open source backend platform for developers. Appwrite is an open-source end-to-end backend server that provides auth, databases, storage, functions, and messaging.
Turso — SQLite for production. Turso is a distributed SQLite database built on libSQL, offering edge replicas and a generous free tier.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Appwrite | Turso |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $29/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Auth | Yes | — |
| Storage | Yes | — |
| Database | MariaDB | — |
| Realtime | Yes | — |
| Free Tier | Yes | 500 databases, 9GB |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Edge Functions | Yes | — |
| Row Level Security | Yes | — |
| Engine | — | SQLite (libSQL) |
| Branching | — | No |
| Serverless | — | Yes |
| Scale-to-zero | — | Yes |
| Point-in-time Recovery | — | Yes |
Appwrite
Open source backend platform for developers
Pros
- Fully open source
- Self-hostable with Docker
- Multiple SDK languages
Cons
- Smaller community vs Supabase/Firebase
- Fewer third-party integrations
Turso
SQLite for production
Pros
- Edge replicas close to users
- Very generous free tier
- Low latency reads
Cons
- SQLite limits write scale
- Newer tool, less tooling
Which should you choose?
Choose Appwrite if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose Turso if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Appwrite or Turso?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Appwrite is the safer default because Appwrite has a larger community and more third-party integrations, which often translates to better long-term support. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Appwrite cheaper than Turso?
Appwrite starts at $15/mo, while Turso starts at $29/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Appwrite to Turso?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Appwrite-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most backend as a service migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Appwrite or Turso open source?
Yes, both Appwrite and Turso are open source and can be self-hosted.
Does Appwrite or Turso have a free tier?
Both Appwrite and Turso offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Appwrite. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.