PocketBase vs Supabase
PocketBase is for developers seeking a lightweight, self-hosted SQLite backend, while Supabase offers a managed Postgres BaaS with a comprehensive cloud platform.
Our Take
Feature Comparison
| Feature | PocketBase | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Open-source | Freemium |
| Primary Database | SQLite | PostgreSQL |
| Deployment Model | Self-host | Managed SaaS / Self-host |
| Managed Cloud Offering | No | Yes |
| GitHub Stars | 57652 | 100963 |
| npm Weekly Downloads | 200740 | 18377301 |
| Paid Plans | None | Starts at $25/mo |
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go pricing
- Pro$25/mo
- Team$599/mo
- Enterprisecontact sales
When to Choose
Choose PocketBase when…
Choose PocketBase if you prioritize a lightweight, self-hostable backend with minimal dependencies and full control over your data. It's ideal for projects that benefit from a single Go binary deployment and the simplicity of SQLite, especially for prototypes or small to medium-sized applications.
Choose Supabase when…
Opt for Supabase when you need a managed, scalable PostgreSQL-based backend-as-a-service with a comprehensive suite of cloud-native features. It suits projects requiring a robust relational database, real-time capabilities, and the convenience of a fully hosted platform with enterprise support options.
Pros & Cons
PocketBase
Pros
- ✓Single Go binary for easy deployment and minimal dependencies.
- ✓SQLite database offers extreme portability and low overhead.
- ✓Full self-hosting control without vendor lock-in.
- ✓High community adoption for a self-hostable solution (57k+ GitHub stars).
Cons
- ✗No managed cloud offering, requiring manual infrastructure setup.
- ✗Database limited to SQLite, which may not suit all use cases.
- ✗Lacks enterprise-grade support or dedicated paid plans.
Supabase
Pros
- ✓Managed cloud platform with a generous free tier.
- ✓Built on PostgreSQL, providing a powerful and familiar relational database.
- ✓Extensive ecosystem including real-time, storage, and edge functions.
- ✓Offers paid plans for scalability, dedicated support, and advanced features.
- ✓Massive community and adoption (100k+ GitHub stars, 18M+ npm weekly downloads).
Cons
- ✗Can be more resource-intensive and complex than a single-file backend.
- ✗Managed service introduces potential vendor lock-in compared to pure self-hosting.
- ✗Paid tiers start at $25/mo, a cost for scaling beyond the free limits.