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Supabase vs Vercel
Side-by-side comparison of Supabase and Vercel.
Quick summary
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.
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 | Supabase | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $25/mo | $20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Auth | Yes | — |
| Storage | Yes | — |
| Database | PostgreSQL | — |
| Realtime | Yes | — |
| Free Tier | 500MB DB + 1GB storage | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Edge Functions | Yes | 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 |
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
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 Supabase 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, Supabase or Vercel?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Supabase is the safer default because Supabase 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 Supabase cheaper than Vercel?
Supabase starts at $25/mo, while Vercel starts at $20/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Supabase to Vercel?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Supabase-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 Supabase or Vercel open source?
Supabase is open source; Vercel is a proprietary managed service.
Does Supabase or Vercel have a free tier?
Both Supabase 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.