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PocketBase vs Vercel
Side-by-side comparison of PocketBase and Vercel.
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.
Vercel — The frontend cloud. Vercel is the platform built by the creators of Next.js, offering edge-first hosting, preview deployments, and serverless functions.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PocketBase | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Auth | Yes | — |
| Storage | Yes | — |
| Database | SQLite | — |
| Realtime | Yes | — |
| Free Tier | Unlimited (self-host) | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Edge Functions | No | Yes |
| Row Level Security | Yes | — |
| Edge Network | — | Yes |
| Custom Domains | — | Yes |
| Bandwidth (free) | — | 100GB |
| Preview Deployments | — | Yes |
| Build Minutes (free) | — | 6000/mo |
| Serverless Functions | — | 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
Vercel
The frontend cloud
Pros
- Best-in-class Next.js support
- Fast global edge network
- Excellent DX with Git integration
Cons
- Expensive at scale
- Vendor lock-in with Edge runtime
- Function timeout limits
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 Vercel if a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, PocketBase or Vercel?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, PocketBase is the safer default because PocketBase is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. Vercel is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is PocketBase cheaper than Vercel?
PocketBase starts at Free, while Vercel starts at $20/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from PocketBase to Vercel?
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 Vercel open source?
PocketBase is open source; Vercel is a proprietary managed service.
Does PocketBase or Vercel have a free tier?
Both PocketBase and Vercel 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 Vercel. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.