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Supabase

Postgres platform delivering Firebase-like features with open-source tools

Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS)

Supabase offers a hosted Postgres database with built-in auth, auto-generated REST/GraphQL APIs, realtime subscriptions, edge functions, storage, and AI tooling—all managed via a unified dashboard.

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Overview

Overview

Supabase is a developer‑focused platform that turns PostgreSQL into a full‑stack backend, mirroring the ease‑of‑use found in Firebase while remaining open source. It provides a hosted Postgres instance, instant REST and GraphQL APIs via PostgREST and pg_graphql, JWT‑based authentication, realtime change listeners, file storage, edge functions, and an AI/vector toolkit.

Who it's for

Ideal for developers and teams that want SQL control, rapid prototyping, and the flexibility to self‑host or use a managed service. The modular client libraries—officially supporting JavaScript/TS, Flutter, Swift, and Python, with community contributions for many other languages—make integration straightforward across web, mobile, and server environments.

Deployment

Start instantly by signing up for a hosted project, or clone the open‑source stack to run locally or on your own cloud infrastructure. The unified dashboard simplifies configuration, while the underlying components (Realtime, GoTrue, Kong, etc.) remain accessible for custom extensions.

Highlights

Hosted PostgreSQL with automatic REST and GraphQL APIs
Realtime change listeners via websockets
Built-in authentication and role‑based file storage
Edge functions and AI/vector embeddings toolkit

Pros

  • Enterprise‑grade PostgreSQL reliability
  • Firebase‑style developer experience
  • Extensive client libraries across major languages
  • Flexible deployment: hosted or self‑hosted

Considerations

  • Feature set differs from Firebase, requiring adaptation
  • Self‑hosting demands PostgreSQL expertise
  • Realtime server adds operational complexity
  • Edge functions are still maturing

Managed products teams compare with

When teams consider Supabase, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.

Backendless logo

Backendless

Backend-as-a-Service with database, realtime, auth, files, and cloud code

Firebase logo

Firebase

Backend services for auth, database, storage, and messaging

Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.

Fit guide

Great for

  • Startups building MVPs with rapid backend setup
  • Teams needing SQL control and an open‑source stack
  • Apps requiring realtime updates and auth out‑of‑the‑box
  • Projects that want to avoid vendor lock‑in

Not ideal when

  • Projects reliant on Firebase‑specific services not yet replicated
  • Non‑technical users needing a fully managed UI only
  • Heavy‑compute workloads beyond edge function limits
  • Organizations lacking PostgreSQL expertise for self‑hosting

How teams use it

Realtime chat application

Instant message delivery using Supabase Realtime websockets

E‑commerce storefront

Secure user authentication and product catalog via auto‑generated REST API

AI‑enhanced recommendation engine

Store and query vector embeddings with the built‑in AI toolkit

Mobile game backend

Cross‑platform auth, player data storage, and serverless functions with minimal code

Tech snapshot

TypeScript66%
MDX29%
JavaScript3%
CSS1%
SCSS1%
PLpgSQL1%

Tags

postgrestalternativeaidenovectorspgvectorpostgresqlrealtimeoauth2firebasepostgissupabasenextjspostgresauthdatabasewebsocketsexampleembeddings

Frequently asked questions

Is Supabase free to use?

Supabase offers a free tier with hosted Postgres and core services; paid plans provide higher limits and additional support.

Can I self‑host Supabase?

Yes, the platform is open source and can be deployed locally or on any cloud provider.

How does Supabase differ from Firebase?

Supabase uses PostgreSQL and open‑source components, giving direct SQL access and avoiding vendor lock‑in, whereas Firebase is a proprietary Google service.

What client languages are supported?

Official libraries exist for JavaScript/TypeScript, Flutter, Swift, and Python, with community libraries for C#, Go, Java, Kotlin, Ruby, Rust, and more.

Does Supabase provide AI tools?

Yes, it includes an AI and vector/embeddings toolkit for building semantic search and recommendation features.

Project at a glance

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LicenseApache-2.0
Repo age6 years old
Last commit8 hours ago
Primary languageTypeScript

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