Supabase vs Firebase
Supabase is Open-source Firebase alternative providing a Postgres database, authentication, storage, and edge functions, while Firebase is google's app development platform providing a realtime database, authentication, hosting, and cloud functions. The biggest difference up front: Firebase is free, while Supabase starts at $25/mo. Supabase is built for developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core, whereas Firebase targets mobile and web apps that need realtime sync and fast prototyping.
| Feature | Supabase | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| Analytics | — | ✓ |
| Auth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud Functions | — | ✓ |
| Edge Functions | ✓ | — |
| Firestore | — | ✓ |
| Hosting | — | ✓ |
| Postgres | ✓ | — |
| Realtime | ✓ | — |
| Storage | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Firebase is completely free (Free Spark plan with generous limits), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Supabase starts at $25/mo, but Free for 2 projects, pauses after inactivity. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Supabase offers Edge Functions, Postgres and Realtime that Firebase lacks. Firebase brings Analytics, Cloud Functions and Firestore that Supabase does not have. Both share Auth.
Team fit: Both tools target any size teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Open source: Supabase is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Firebase is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Supabase's biggest strengths are: full postgres database with sql access and extensions. open source with self-hosting option for full control. Firebase's biggest strengths are: realtime data sync works brilliantly for mobile apps. comprehensive platform covering auth, storage, hosting, and more.
Watch out for: With Supabase, users commonly note that free tier pauses inactive projects after one week. With Firebase, the main complaint is that proprietary nosql queries are limiting compared to sql.
choose Supabase if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Edge Functions and Postgres
- You care about open source with self-hosting option for full control
- The free tier works for you: free for 2 projects, pauses after inactivity
choose Firebase if
- You need a tool built for mobile and web apps that need realtime sync and fast prototyping
- Budget is a hard constraint — Firebase is free, Supabase is not
- You specifically need Analytics and Cloud Functions
- You care about comprehensive platform covering auth, storage, hosting, and more
- The free tier works for you: free spark plan with generous limits
frequently asked
What is the difference between Supabase and Firebase?
Supabase is Open-source Firebase alternative providing a Postgres database, authentication, storage, and edge functions, while Firebase is google's app development platform providing a realtime database, authentication, hosting, and cloud functions. The biggest difference up front: Firebase is free, while Supabase starts at $25/mo. Supabase is built for developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core, whereas Firebase targets mobile and web apps that need realtime sync and fast prototyping.
Should I use Supabase or Firebase?
Firebase is the free option; Supabase charges $25/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Supabase over Firebase?
Choose Supabase if Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Edge Functions and Postgres; You care about open source with self-hosting option for full control; The free tier works for you: free for 2 projects, pauses after inactivity.
When should I choose Firebase over Supabase?
Choose Firebase if You need a tool built for mobile and web apps that need realtime sync and fast prototyping; Budget is a hard constraint — Firebase is free, Supabase is not; You specifically need Analytics and Cloud Functions; You care about comprehensive platform covering auth, storage, hosting, and more; The free tier works for you: free spark plan with generous limits.
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