How Makers Build
Check my stackPlan my stack
Menu

PocketBase vs Supabase

Two backend platform options for database. When each fits, what it costs, who moves from one to the other, and what makers who chose it say.

PocketBaseBackend platform
SupabaseBackend platformllms.txtMCPCLIIn Bolt, Lovable, v0
Ask your AI about this, with this page as the source:ChatGPT ↗Claude ↗Perplexity ↗

Which fits you

Choose PocketBase if
  • A whole backend — database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI — in one self-hosted executable.

Use it whenYour app is small to medium, you're happy on one server, and you want a backend running in minutes with no monthly bill.

Trade-offSQLite on a single server, so it scales up, not out; still pre-1.0, so upgrades can include breaking changes.

Choose Supabase if
  • You want the database, auth and file storage in one project, and plain SQL you can take elsewhere

Use it whenYou want one service for most of the backend and a SQL database you can take with you.

Trade-offAuth, storage and database in one vendor makes leaving harder later, and free projects pause after a week without activity.

At a glance

PocketBaseSupabase
Used by6 makers' products · 11 open-source projects564 makers' products · 75 open-source projects
Cost at default usagedatabase size 8 GB, data transfer 50 GB, document or row reads 10 million reads, document or row writes 2 million writes—$25/mo Pro
Downloads206.4k/wk+160% vs npm25.4M/wk+96% vs npm
PricingFree (open source); you host it yourself.Free tier (inactive projects pause); paid plans per project plus usage. · paid from $25/mo
Free tierYesYes
Open sourceYes · self-hostableYes · self-hostable
Incidents, 90 daysfrom its status pageno public status feed50+ (16 major)

What makers say

Makers on using it for database, from Product Hunt and Starter Story interviews, each linked to the source. Products with a page of their own and fuller notes first.

On PocketBase
I drew endless inspiration from the PocketBase project: the best documentation, excellent code execution and, of course, the best support in GH discussions.
Gowebly, the makerSep 2026 ↗
Pocketbase has been great for getting off the ground with an open-source authentication system and database UI. It is surprisingly efficient, and with liteFS we have been able to continue using it without any performance issues.
Sidenote, the makerSep 2026 ↗
Super-fast and super-simple infrastructure as a service, for database management, user handlings and small micro-services.
BotsLikeYou, the makerSep 2026 ↗
2 more on the PocketBase page →
On Supabase
One Postgres with RLS on every table is the reason a solo founder can ship contracts, invoices and a client portal without a backend team. Auth, storage and realtime came for free.
Accordio AI, the makerSep 2026 ↗
Supabase made it dead simple to manage db and the best part is that we can connect it to Claude for product analysis without having to set up Posthog or other event tracking tools.
Clico, the makerSep 2026 ↗
For powering our backend and database. Managing user uploads and conversion jobs efficiently is critical, and Supabase's real-time capabilities keep everything running smoothly! 🔥
Segwise, the makerSep 2026 ↗
403 more on the Supabase page →

Loved and watch-outs

Themes that recur in makers' words and Hacker News comments, each linked to what it summarises.

PocketBaseOn Product Hunt: 5.0★, 6 reviews · mentioned most: self-hosting capability, authentication system, lightweight
Supabase
Most loved
  • One project covers Postgres, auth, storage and realtime, so a solo founder ships without stitching vendors or hiring a backend team. PHPH 2PH 3PH 4
  • It is real Postgres with SQL, row-level security and pgvector rather than a proprietary store. PHPH 2PH 3PH 4
  • Open source and self-hostable, which reduces vendor lock-in. PHPH 2HNPH 3
Watch-outs
  • Row-level security policies are hard to get right, so many apps end up exposing data publicly. HNHN 2HN 3HN 4
  • Reliability has been shaky for some, and it is not really built for self-hosting in practice. HN
  • Per-project billing adds up for developers running many small side projects. HN
On Product Hunt: 5.0★, 899 reviews · mentioned most: authentication features, easy setup, PostgreSQL integration · complaints: documentation gaps

Who uses each

PocketBase6 makers' products
BotsLikeYouFamxplorGoweblySidenoteTaimwanderer
Supabase564 makers' products
1-bit.day21sta0.devAccordio AIAdventoryAident AIAirbook AIAISA (aisa.to) AI Fluency AssessmentAlaiAlmanacAlpaca ChatAmara+552 more

What makers pair each with

With PocketBase
Frontend Framework
Hosting
Backend Framework
With Supabase
Frontend Framework
Transactional Email
Hosting
LLM API

Neither quite right?

See the whole database decision →
ConvexBackend platformRealtime, collaborative apps written entirely in TypeScript.vs Supabase →
FirebaseBackend platformMobile apps that need offline sync and client-side SDKs.vs Supabase →
NeonManaged databaseServerless Postgres that scales to zero, with a branch per preview deploy.vs Supabase →
PlanetScaleManaged databaseApps that expect heavy scale and want zero-downtime schema changes.vs Supabase →
TursoManaged databaseSQLite at the edge, or one database per customer.vs Supabase →
MongoDBManaged databaseDocument-shaped data and teams already fluent in Mongo.vs Supabase →
PostgreSQLRun it yourselfThe engine behind most of the hosted options above, run on your own server or container for full control and a flat cost.vs Supabase →