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Seeking a better alternative to Supabase? Some backends serve specific app needs far better. This guide compares top Supabase alternatives to help you choose the one that fits your growth, syncing, and storage demands.
Choosing the right backend can shape your entire app experience.
Supabase works well for many teams, but it’s not always the best match for every use case. Different apps demand different strengths—whether it’s better real-time sync, advanced GraphQL support, or more flexible file storage.
What if there’s a Supabase alternative that better fits your project?
As your app grows, backend needs can shift fast. That’s why it helps to look beyond a single tool.
This article guides you through strong alternatives, what each one offers, and how they compare to Supabase. You'll have a clear view of the options, allowing you to make a confident and informed choice.
Supabase is a popular open-source backend server, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Many developers explore alternatives for several reasons:
Different database needs: Some apps require NoSQL, others need complex relational data support.
Infrastructure control: Teams may want self-hostable options to avoid vendor lock-in.
Enhanced features: Needs such as push notifications, GraphQL API, or built-in analytics may not be fully addressed.
Better scalability or performance: Certain platforms handle high availability, low latency, and real-time database workloads better.
Choosing the right tool depends on the specific needs of your project, users, and stack. Let’s explore the top Supabase alternatives and compare their features.
Firebase, developed by Google, is one of the most widely used backend-as-a-service platforms.
Offers powerful real-time data synchronization with Firestore and the real-time Database.
Seamless file storage, authentication, push notifications, and serverless functions.
Integrates well with other Google Cloud services.
Firebase excels for web and mobile apps requiring real-time updates, fast deployment, and global scalability. However, its NoSQL structure may not suit relational data needs or complex queries.
Ideal For: Developers already using Google Cloud, or building AI applications, chat apps, or live dashboards.
Appwrite is a developer-friendly, open-source backend that supports both SQL and NoSQL databases.
Strong user authentication, file storage, and real-time capabilities.
Entirely self-hostable, allowing full control of infrastructure.
Built with a comprehensive suite of tools that reduce external dependencies.
Appwrite appeals to those building feature-rich applications with a focus on data management, privacy, and active community support.
Ideal For: Teams prioritizing infrastructure management, security, and full control over backend operations.
NHost is an open-source Firebase alternative built around PostgreSQL and GraphQL.
Native GraphQL API and real-time subscriptions.
Scalable file storage, serverless functions, and CI/CD pipelines.
Eliminates the hassle of managing infrastructure, with automatic scaling.
NHost is especially attractive to GraphQL enthusiasts looking for seamless integration with their frontend. It enables developers to build modern, production-ready apps quickly.
Ideal For: Those building AI applications, mobile applications, or SaaS products using PostgreSQL.
PocketBase is a lightweight, self-hostable, and embeddable backend built on SQLite.
Offers authentication, file storage, and a real-time database out of the box.
No setup headaches, deploys with a single binary.
Useful for apps needing real-time capabilities and fast prototyping.
Despite its minimalism, it handles user management and real-time subscriptions effectively for small-scale web applications.
Ideal For: Indie developers, hobby projects, or early-stage prototypes needing quick backend solutions.
“Firebase offers a generous free tier, powerful real time capabilities, while Supabase provides a strong SQL based alternative.”
Hasura is a powerful GraphQL engine for PostgreSQL, known for high performance and real-time capabilities.
Native support for GraphQL API and real-time subscriptions.
Blazing-fast APIs for complex, relational data.
Easily integrates with edge functions and modern distributed systems.
Hasura minimizes backend coding, letting developers focus on product logic, not boilerplate APIs.
Ideal For: Teams with data-intensive AI applications or web applications needing scalable, real-time database access.
Directus transforms SQL databases into a fully-managed, headless CMS with real time capabilities.
Supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and more.
Offers both REST API and GraphQL API endpoints.
No-code/low-code admin for managing users, roles, and data sources.
Its comprehensive suite of CMS tools allows developers to build quickly while maintaining full control over database changes.
Ideal For: Content-heavy apps and teams requiring flexible data modeling and user authentication.
A veteran in the space, Parse is a reliable open-source backend server with rich features and a long history.
Built-in authentication, push notifications, and cloud functions.
Extensible with a vibrant community and extensive documentation.
Handles database management and file storage seamlessly.
Parse is favored by developers looking for a trusted platform with proven stability and active community support.
Ideal For: Apps needing strong user management, notifications, and legacy backend compatibility.
Built by Amazon Web Services, AWS Amplify offers a comprehensive suite of tools tailored for scalability and seamless integration with cloud infrastructure.
Supports GraphQL API, REST API, and file storage.
Built-in authentication, hosting, and serverless functions.
Part of the broader AWS ecosystem, enabling integration with AI applications, Lambda, and more.
Despite its learning curve, it is incredibly powerful for teams already on AWS or managing distributed systems.
Ideal For: Enterprise teams or startups building globally distributed, highly scalable web and mobile apps.
| Platform | GraphQL | Self-hosted | real-time | Storage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firebase | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Google-based apps |
| Appwrite | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Self-hosted needs |
| NHost | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | GraphQL + PostgreSQL |
| PocketBase | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Lightweight setups |
| Hasura | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | GraphQL performance |
| Directus | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Content-driven apps |
| Parse | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Legacy apps |
| AWS Amplify | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | AWS ecosystem |
There’s no universal winner when it comes to alternatives to Supabase. Each tool offers unique benefits based on your goals, such as handling complex queries, avoiding vendor lock-in, or ensuring high availability.
To summarize:
Choose Firebase or AWS Amplify for backend-as-a-service in large-scale, cloud-native apps.
Pick NHost or Hasura if you prioritize GraphQL API, relational data, and real-time subscriptions.
Go with Appwrite or Parse for full control, open-source, and self-hostable setups.
Use PocketBase or Directus for fast prototypes, content platforms, or apps with unique data sources.
By aligning your development process with the right tool, you simplify backend development, enhance user experiences, and scale confidently.
