Supabase vs Upstash
Supabase is Open-source Firebase alternative providing a Postgres database, authentication, storage, and edge functions, while Upstash is Serverless Redis, Kafka, and QStash with per-request pricing for edge and serverless. The biggest difference up front: Upstash is free, while Supabase starts at $25/mo. Supabase is built for developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core, whereas Upstash targets serverless developers wanting redis and kafka at the edge.
| Feature | Supabase | Upstash |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| Auth | ✓ | — |
| Edge | — | ✓ |
| Edge Functions | ✓ | — |
| Kafka | — | ✓ |
| Postgres | ✓ | — |
| QStash | — | ✓ |
| Realtime | ✓ | — |
| Serverless Redis | — | ✓ |
| Storage | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Upstash is completely free (Free 10K commands/day), 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 Auth, Edge Functions and Postgres that Upstash lacks. Upstash brings Edge, Kafka and QStash that Supabase does not have.
Team fit: Supabase is geared toward any size teams, while Upstash is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: Supabase is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Upstash 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. Upstash's biggest strengths are: includes serverless redis as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows. includes kafka as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows.
Watch out for: With Supabase, users commonly note that free tier pauses inactive projects after one week. With Upstash, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
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 Auth and Edge Functions
- You care about open source with self-hosting option for full control
- Your team size fits the any size profile Supabase is designed for
choose Upstash if
- You need a tool built for serverless developers wanting redis and kafka at the edge
- Budget is a hard constraint — Upstash is free, Supabase is not
- You specifically need Edge and Kafka
- You care about includes kafka as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
- Your team size fits the small teams profile Upstash is designed for
frequently asked
What is the difference between Supabase and Upstash?
Supabase is Open-source Firebase alternative providing a Postgres database, authentication, storage, and edge functions, while Upstash is Serverless Redis, Kafka, and QStash with per-request pricing for edge and serverless. The biggest difference up front: Upstash is free, while Supabase starts at $25/mo. Supabase is built for developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core, whereas Upstash targets serverless developers wanting redis and kafka at the edge.
Should I use Supabase or Upstash?
Upstash is the free option; Supabase charges $25/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Supabase over Upstash?
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 Auth and Edge Functions; You care about open source with self-hosting option for full control; Your team size fits the any size profile Supabase is designed for.
When should I choose Upstash over Supabase?
Choose Upstash if You need a tool built for serverless developers wanting redis and kafka at the edge; Budget is a hard constraint — Upstash is free, Supabase is not; You specifically need Edge and Kafka; You care about includes kafka as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows; Your team size fits the small teams profile Upstash is designed for.
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