Supabase is an open-source backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform that provides developers with a complete set of tools to build scalable applications quickly. Built on PostgreSQL, Supabase offers a PostgreSQL database, authentication, instant APIs, real-time subscriptions, file storage, edge functions, and vector embeddings—all accessible through a simple dashboard and client libraries. It serves as a powerful Firebase alternative, giving full SQL control while maintaining the ease of use that developers love for rapid prototyping, MVPs, and production apps.
Is Supabase Free or Paid?
Supabase offers a generous free tier that includes everything needed to build and test real applications without any upfront cost. For production use, growing traffic, higher limits, or advanced features like custom domains and backups, paid plans are available. The platform follows a usage-based model on top of subscription tiers, so you only pay for what you exceed in the free or base plan allowances.
Supabase Pricing Details
Supabase pricing includes tiered plans with included quotas plus pay-as-you-go charges for overages (database size, bandwidth, compute, etc.). Paid plans include monthly compute credits to offset instance costs.
| Plan Name | Price (Monthly / Yearly) | Main Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 500 MB database, 1 GB file storage, 50,000 monthly active users (MAUs), 2 projects, basic auth & realtime | Hobby projects, learning, prototypes, small MVPs |
| Pro | $25 / month (+ usage) | 8 GB database, 100 GB file storage, 100,000 MAUs, unlimited projects, daily backups, no Supabase branding, $10 compute credits | Growing startups, production apps, indie developers needing scale |
| Team | $599 / month (+ usage) | Higher base limits, SOC2 compliance, advanced security, priority support, SSO, HIPAA option (add-on) | Professional teams, agencies, mid-size companies requiring compliance & collaboration |
| Enterprise | Custom (contact sales) | Dedicated support, custom SLAs, private regions, advanced compliance, unlimited scale options | Large organizations, mission-critical apps with strict requirements |
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Best Alternatives to Supabase
If Supabase doesn’t fit your stack, several strong backend-as-a-service or database platforms offer similar capabilities with different trade-offs in openness, pricing, or features.
| Alternative Tool Name | Free or Paid | Key Feature | How it compares to Supabase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firebase | Freemium + Paid | Realtime NoSQL database, easy mobile SDKs, extensive Google integrations | Simpler for mobile-first apps; NoSQL vs Supabase’s relational PostgreSQL; vendor lock-in concerns |
| Appwrite | Free (self-hosted) / Paid cloud | Open-source, self-hostable BaaS with auth, storage, functions | Fully self-hostable like Supabase; slightly different API style, growing but smaller ecosystem |
| PocketBase | Free (open-source) | Lightweight, single-file Go backend with realtime & admin UI | Extremely simple and embeddable; less scalable for very large apps compared to Supabase |
| Nhost | Freemium + Paid | Open-source Hasura + PostgreSQL + auth stack | Very similar to Supabase (also Postgres-based); strong GraphQL focus, slightly different dashboard |
| AWS Amplify | Pay-as-you-go | Full AWS-powered backend with auth, API, storage | Deeper AWS integration and scalability; steeper learning curve and higher potential costs |
| Xano | Paid | No-code backend with visual builder, scalable APIs | More no-code friendly; less open-source flexibility than Supabase |
Pros and Cons of Supabase
Pros:
- True open-source foundation with PostgreSQL at the core—full SQL power for complex queries, joins, and reporting
- Generous free tier supports real production workloads for small to medium apps
- Built-in real-time subscriptions, authentication (including social logins), and storage work seamlessly together
- Instant REST + GraphQL APIs auto-generated from your database schema
- Edge functions and vector support enable modern AI and serverless features
- No vendor lock-in—export your data anytime, or self-host if desired
- Excellent developer experience with intuitive dashboard, CLI, and client libraries (JavaScript, Flutter, etc.)
Cons:
- Usage-based overages (storage, bandwidth, compute) can add up unexpectedly during viral growth spikes
- Free tier project limits and quotas may force upgrades sooner for active apps
- Real-time can consume resources quickly in high-traffic scenarios
- Self-hosting is possible but requires more DevOps effort than the managed cloud version
- Some advanced enterprise features (HIPAA, dedicated regions) are only in higher/custom tiers
- Documentation occasionally lags behind new features during rapid updates