People weigh Supabase alternatives when they want a NoSQL/real-time model instead of Postgres, a backend they can fully self-host, a database-only primitive without the full BaaS suite, or something even lighter to run. Others hit the free tier's project limits or find RLS easy to forget.
From our builds
The single most common thing we fix on Supabase projects is a table shipped without row-level security — it's publicly readable until you add a policy, and AI builders don't always add one. It's the first thing we check on any inherited Supabase backend.
How we picked
Database model (SQL vs NoSQL)
Supabase is Postgres/SQL; some teams specifically want NoSQL or a lighter store, which changes how you model data.
Self-hosting and openness
A big reason to choose Supabase is that it's open-source, so alternatives should be judged on whether you can truly self-host.
Breadth of BaaS features
Supabase bundles auth, storage, functions and realtime; some rivals are database-only, which matters if you need the whole suite.
AI-tool compatibility
Supabase is the default backend for many vibe-coding tools, so how well an alternative plugs into those flows affects real projects.
Pricing model
Flat tiers, consumption billing and pay-as-you-go behave very differently, especially as an app grows.
The contenders, ranked
Firebase
Backend-as-a-Service (Google, NoSQL-first)Google's NoSQL-first app platform with real-time sync.
- Best for
- Mobile/web apps wanting real-time NoSQL, easy auth and tight Google/Android integration.
- Pricing from
- Blaze — pay-as-you-go (no fixed middle tier)
- Free tier
- Spark — free (1GB Firestore, 50K reads/day)
Pros
- Real-time listeners and offline sync out of the box
- Broad auth providers plus MFA and mature Cloud Functions
- Battle-tested at global scale
Cons
- The Blaze plan has no spending cap by default — you must set budget alerts
- NoSQL model limits complex relational queries
- Cold starts of 2-10s and common permission-denied rules errors
Our verdict: The top alternative if you want NoSQL and real-time over Postgres.
Appwrite
Backend-as-a-Service (open-source, self-hostable)Open-source, self-hostable backend in one Docker container.
- Best for
- Developers who want a Firebase/Supabase-style BaaS they can fully self-host.
- Pricing from
- $15/mo per org member (Pro)
- Free tier
- Cloud Free — 75K MAU, 10GB storage
Pros
- Fully open-source and self-hostable with no feature restrictions
- Single-container all-in-one: auth, DB, storage, functions and realtime
- Generous 75K MAU free cloud tier
Cons
- Smaller ecosystem and fewer AI-tool integrations than Supabase
- Not the auto-default backend of vibe-coding tools
- Free cloud org/project caps
Our verdict: Best if self-hosting control is the reason you're leaving Supabase.
Neon
Serverless PostgreSQL database (owned by Databricks)Serverless Postgres with branching and scale-to-zero.
- Best for
- Developers who want Git-like DB branching and pay-per-use serverless Postgres.
- Pricing from
- Consumption-based (no monthly minimum)
- Free tier
- Free — 0.5GB + 100 compute-hrs/mo, scale-to-zero, no card
Pros
- Instant database branching (a branch per PR or preview)
- True scale-to-zero — pay only for what you use
- Low, longstanding usage-based storage/compute rates and native Vercel pairing
Cons
- It's a database only — no auth, storage or functions like Supabase
- Consumption billing is harder to predict than flat tiers
- Cold starts when a scaled-to-zero branch resumes
Our verdict: Best if you only need Postgres, not the full BaaS suite.
Nhost
Backend-as-a-Service (open-source, PostgreSQL)Open-source Postgres backend with GraphQL and auth.
- Best for
- Developers who want an open-source Postgres BaaS with a GraphQL-first workflow.
- Pricing from
- Usage-based paid plans
- Free tier
- Free tier (open-source, self-hostable)
Pros
- Open-source and self-hostable, like Supabase
- Postgres with an instant GraphQL API and built-in auth/storage
- Familiar SQL model for relational data
Cons
- Much smaller community than Supabase
- Fewer AI-tool integrations
- GraphQL-first approach isn't for everyone
Our verdict: Best for teams who want open-source Postgres with GraphQL.
PocketBase
Backend-as-a-Service (open-source, self-hosted)Open-source backend in a single portable file.
- Best for
- Solo developers who want a tiny, self-hosted backend with auth and storage.
- Pricing from
- Free (open-source; you pay only for hosting)
- Free tier
- Free — open-source single-file backend
Pros
- One lightweight file with DB, auth, storage and realtime
- Extremely easy to self-host and deploy
- No usage-based billing — you control the server
Cons
- Built around SQLite, so it scales differently than Postgres
- Smaller feature set than Supabase's full suite
- You manage hosting, scaling and backups yourself
Our verdict: Best for lightweight, self-hosted side projects and MVPs.
Convex
Backend-as-a-Service (reactive, TypeScript)Reactive backend with a TypeScript-native data layer.
- Best for
- TypeScript developers who want a reactive, real-time backend with minimal setup.
- Pricing from
- Usage-based paid plans
- Free tier
- Free tier for small projects
Pros
- Reactive queries that update the UI in real time
- TypeScript-first with strong developer experience
- Handles state and functions without wiring separate services
Cons
- Proprietary data model rather than open Postgres
- Smaller ecosystem than Supabase or Firebase
- Less suited to teams that want raw SQL access
Our verdict: Best for TypeScript teams who want reactive data by default.
Xano
Backend-as-a-Service (no-code)No-code backend with a visual API builder.
- Best for
- No-code builders who want a scalable backend without writing server code.
- Pricing from
- Paid plans (free tier available)
- Free tier
- Free tier (no-code backend)
Pros
- Build APIs and business logic visually, no code required
- Pairs well with no-code frontends like WeWeb and Softr
- Postgres-backed with scalable hosting
Cons
- Not open-source or self-hostable
- Paid tiers get pricey as usage grows
- Less flexible than writing your own backend
Our verdict: Best for no-code teams who want a backend without code.
Compare side by side
| Aspect | Firebase | Appwrite | Neon | Nhost | PocketBase | Convex | Xano |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Database model | NoSQL | SQL/NoSQL | Postgres | Postgres | SQLite | Reactive | Postgres |
| Open-source / self-host | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Full BaaS suite | Yes | Yes | DB only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free tier | Spark free | 75K MAU | 0.5GB + 100 hrs | Yes | Free (self-host) | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Pay-as-you-go | $15/member | Consumption | Usage-based | Self-host only | Usage-based | Flat tiers |
| Best for | Real-time NoSQL | Self-hosting | Postgres branching | Open GraphQL | Lightweight MVPs | TypeScript apps | No-code teams |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Quick pick
Short on time? Jump straight to the right choice for your situation.
You want real-time NoSQL and Google integration
Mature real-time sync, broad auth and Android/Google ties.
You want to fully self-host an open-source backend
All-in-one BaaS in one Docker container, no feature limits.
You only need serverless Postgres
Branching, scale-to-zero and consumption pricing without the extras.
You want a tiny self-hosted backend
DB, auth, storage and realtime in a single portable file.
You're building in TypeScript and want reactive data
Reactive queries and a TypeScript-native developer experience.
How we compare: Because people leave Supabase for very different reasons, we weighted database model (SQL vs NoSQL), self-hosting, how complete each backend is, AI-tool fit and pricing — not a single score. Everything reflects the cheapest paid tier as of 2026. The best choice hinges on whether you want NoSQL, full self-hosting or a database-only primitive. If you'd rather have a backend set up and secured (RLS included), RapidDev can build it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Supabase?
It depends on why you're switching. Firebase is the top pick if you want NoSQL and real-time sync, Appwrite if you want to fully self-host an open-source BaaS, and Neon if you only need serverless Postgres. All three are strong; the right one depends on database model and how much of the backend you want managed.
Is Firebase or Supabase better?
Supabase gives you open-source Postgres (real SQL) with auth, storage and functions, while Firebase is Google's NoSQL-first platform with excellent real-time sync and mobile support. Choose Supabase for relational/SQL workloads and Firebase for real-time NoSQL apps — and watch Firebase's uncapped Blaze billing.
Which Supabase alternative can I self-host?
Appwrite, Nhost and PocketBase are all open-source and self-hostable. Appwrite bundles the full BaaS suite in one Docker container, Nhost offers Postgres with GraphQL, and PocketBase packs everything into a single lightweight file. Supabase itself is also open-source and self-hostable.
Is Neon a replacement for Supabase?
Only partly. Neon is serverless Postgres with branching and scale-to-zero, but it's a database only — it doesn't include auth, storage or edge functions like Supabase. If you need the full backend suite, Neon needs pairing with other services; if you only need the database, it's an excellent, Vercel-native pick.
Do Supabase alternatives work with AI app builders?
Supabase is the auto-default for tools like Lovable, so it has the deepest AI-builder integration. Firebase and others can be wired in manually, but you'll do more setup. If tight AI-tool integration matters most, that's a point in Supabase's favor to weigh before switching.
Which Supabase alternative has the best free tier?
Appwrite's cloud free tier is generous at 75K monthly active users and 10GB storage. Firebase's Spark plan is free with daily read/write caps, and Neon offers 0.5GB plus 100 compute-hours a month with scale-to-zero. Self-hosting Appwrite, Nhost or PocketBase is effectively free apart from server costs.
Still weighing your options?
- We build on all of these platforms
- Honest advice on which fits your build
- Fixed price, you own 100% of the code
30-min call. No commitment.
