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Open source Supabase alternatives

Top Backend as a Service like Supabase

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

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

Supabase alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
4 apps

All Supabase alternatives

  1. 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
  2. PocketBase is an open source backend that ships as a single Go executable with an embedded SQLite database. It provides realtime subscriptions, user authentication including OAuth2, file storage and an admin dashboard, and can be extended in Go or JavaScript. It suits small projects and prototypes that need a backend running in minutes. It has not reached version 1.0, so breaking changes can still happen.

    7 PocketBase alternatives

    Pros

    • The whole backend ships as one executable that runs in minutes
    • Embedded SQLite with realtime, auth and an admin dashboard
    • Can be extended in Go or JavaScript

    Cons

    • Not yet at version 1.0, so breaking changes can still happen
    • Single-server SQLite design limits horizontal scaling
    • No official managed hosting, so you run and back up the server yourself
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Platforms
  3. 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
  4. 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

Supabase vs its alternatives at a glance

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

Supabase vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAPI accessBuilt-in databaseFile storageRealtime databaseServerless functions
SupabaseFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
AppwriteFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
PocketBaseFreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted
NhostFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
XataFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted

Supabase alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Supabase?

The most popular alternative to Supabase is Appwrite: Open source backend and hosting for web, mobile and Flutter apps. Other great alternatives are PocketBase, Nhost, and Xata.

Is there a free alternative to Supabase?

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

Is there an open source alternative to Supabase?

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

Is Supabase free?

Supabase has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Supabase with its alternatives

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