PocketBase vs Supabase

Comparing two backend as a service platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.

By Bilal Almukhtar Edited by Sofia DraganovLast updated April 20, 2026

Quick summary

PocketBase — Open source backend in 1 file. PocketBase is an open-source Go backend, bundled as a single executable, with embedded SQLite, auth, realtime, and admin UI.

Supabase — The open source Firebase alternative. Supabase is an open-source backend-as-a-service built on PostgreSQL. It provides authentication, realtime subscriptions, storage, edge functions, and a hosted database.

Feature comparison

Feature	PocketBase	Supabase
Pricing model	Free	Freemium
Starting price	Free	$25/mo
Free tier	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	Yes
Auth	Yes	Yes
Storage	Yes	Yes
Database	SQLite	PostgreSQL
Realtime	Yes	Yes
Free Tier	Unlimited (self-host)	500MB DB + 1GB storage
Self-hosted	Yes	Yes
Edge Functions	No	Yes
Row Level Security	Yes	Yes

PocketBase

Open source backend in 1 file

Pros

Zero-config single binary
Fast and lightweight
Great for small-to-medium apps

Cons

SQLite limits horizontal scale
Single maintainer
No managed cloud offering

Visit PocketBase →

Supabase

The open source Firebase alternative

Pros

Open source and self-hostable
Standard PostgreSQL — no vendor lock-in
Generous free tier
Great DX with auto-generated APIs

Cons

Cold starts on free tier
Edge function ecosystem still maturing

Visit Supabase →

Which should you choose?

Choose PocketBase if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose Supabase 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, PocketBase or Supabase?

There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Supabase is the safer default because Supabase 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 PocketBase cheaper than Supabase?

PocketBase starts at Free, while Supabase starts at $25/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.

Can I migrate from PocketBase to Supabase?

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply PocketBase-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 PocketBase or Supabase open source?

Yes, both PocketBase and Supabase are open source and can be self-hosted.

Does PocketBase or Supabase have a free tier?

Both PocketBase and Supabase 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 Supabase. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.

More Backend as a Service comparisons

All PocketBase alternatives →All Supabase alternatives →