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Open source PocketBase alternatives

Top Backend as a Service like PocketBase

The most popular alternative to PocketBase is Supabase, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to PocketBase are Appwrite, Nhost, and Xata.

Most alternatives to PocketBase are in the Backend as a Service category, compared here by price, platform and features.

PocketBase alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
4 apps

All PocketBase alternatives

  1. Supabase

    111.4Kstars

    Supabase is an open source backend platform built on Postgres. Each project gets a full Postgres database with auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs, authentication, file storage, realtime subscriptions, edge functions and vector support for AI applications. It can be used as a hosted service with a free tier or self-hosted with Docker, and appeals to developers who want SQL rather than a NoSQL backend.

    8 Supabase alternatives

    Pros

    • Full Postgres database with SQL, extensions and row-level security
    • Auto-generated APIs, auth, storage and realtime in one platform
    • Open source and self-hostable with Docker

    Cons

    • Free-tier projects are paused after a period of inactivity
    • Self-hosting is more involved to set up than the managed service
    • Row-level security policies take time to get right
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Backend as a Service
    Platforms
    WebSelf-hosted
    Features
    API accessBuilt-in databaseFile storageRealtime databaseServerless functionsUser authentication
    Visit websiteMore about Supabase

  2. Appwrite

    57.6Kstars

    Appwrite is an open source backend server that bundles authentication, databases, file storage, serverless functions, messaging and realtime events behind one consistent API, with SDKs for web, mobile and Flutter. Since 2025 it also hosts websites and web apps through Appwrite Sites. It can be self-hosted with Docker or used through Appwrite Cloud, which has a free plan.

    8 Appwrite alternatives

    Pros

    • Auth, database, storage, functions and messaging behind one API
    • Open source and straightforward to self-host with Docker
    • SDKs for web, mobile and Flutter apps

    Cons

    • Database queries are more limited than raw SQL
    • Self-hosted upgrades between versions can require careful migrations
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Backend as a ServiceHosting & Deployment
    Platforms
    WebSelf-hosted
    Features
    Built-in databaseFile storageRealtime databaseServerless functionsUser authentication
    Visit websiteMore about Appwrite

  3. Nhost

    9.4Kstars

    Nhost is an open source backend platform that combines a dedicated Postgres database, an instant GraphQL API powered by Hasura with realtime subscriptions, authentication, file storage and serverless functions. It also offers AI tooling such as vector embeddings. Projects run on Nhost Cloud, which has a free starter plan, or can be self-hosted, and a CLI supports local development.

    8 Nhost alternatives

    Pros

    • Dedicated Postgres database for each project
    • Instant GraphQL API with realtime subscriptions through Hasura
    • Open source, with a CLI for local development and self-hosting

    Cons

    • GraphQL-first approach adds a learning curve for REST-oriented teams
    • Smaller community and ecosystem than Supabase or Firebase
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Backend as a Service
    Platforms
    WebSelf-hosted
    Features
    API accessBuilt-in databaseFile storageRealtime databaseServerless functionsUser authentication
    Visit websiteMore about Nhost

  4. Xata

    1.1Kstars

    Xata is a Postgres platform built around copy-on-write branching, which lets teams create full copies of large databases in seconds for previews, testing and development. It adds scale-to-zero compute, data anonymization and zero-downtime schema migrations. The platform is open source under Apache-2.0 for self-hosting on Kubernetes, and is also available as the managed Xata Cloud with a free trial.

    8 Xata alternatives

    Pros

    • Copy-on-write branches clone large databases in seconds
    • Built-in data anonymization for safer test environments
    • Zero-downtime schema migrations and scale-to-zero compute

    Cons

    • Self-hosting requires Kubernetes, which is heavy for small teams
    • Focused on Postgres, without the auth or file storage of a full backend
    • The cloud offers a free trial rather than a permanent free tier
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Backend as a Service
    Platforms
    WebSelf-hosted
    Features
    API accessBuilt-in databasePreview deployments
    Visit websiteMore about Xata

PocketBase vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of PocketBase, compared with its most popular alternatives.

PocketBase vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAPI accessBuilt-in databaseFile storageRealtime databaseUser authentication
PocketBaseFreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted
SupabaseFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
AppwriteFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
NhostFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
XataFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted

PocketBase alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to PocketBase?

The most popular alternative to PocketBase is Supabase: Open source Postgres development platform and Firebase alternative. Other great alternatives are Appwrite, Nhost, and Xata.

Is there a free alternative to PocketBase?

Yes, 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Supabase, Appwrite, Nhost, and Xata.

Is there an open source alternative to PocketBase?

Yes, 4 open source alternatives are listed, including Supabase, Appwrite, Nhost, and Xata.

Is PocketBase free?

Yes, PocketBase is free to use.

Compare PocketBase with its alternatives

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