Firebase vs Supabase
Both are excellent backends-as-a-service. The right choice comes down to one question: do you want the fastest path to shipping, or real SQL with no lock-in?
Firebase
4.5You're building a mobile app and want to ship realtime features fast.
Supabase
4.6You want relational data, SQL, and the freedom to leave anytime.
Compared at a glance
The verdict
Side by side
| Feature | Firebase | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| Database | Firestore (NoSQL) | PostgreSQL (SQL) |
| Realtime | Excellent, mature | Good, improving |
| Auth | Built-in, many providers | Built-in, row-level security |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Self-host | No | Yes |
| Best for | Mobile / realtime apps | Relational / SQL apps |
| Lock-in risk | Higher | Lower (portable Postgres) |
Where each one wins
Firebase wins on speed-to-ship and mobile ergonomics. Its Flutter SDKs, offline support, and realtime database are hard to beat when you want an app live quickly. The trade-offs: NoSQL data modeling, costs that can climb with scale, and Google lock-in.
Supabase wins when your data is relational or your queries are complex. You get real Postgres, SQL, row-level security, and the ability to self-host or migrate away. Realtime and mobile tooling are solid but slightly behind Firebase.
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Firebase
Best for MobileFree planBest for: Shipping mobile apps fast with realtime data
Why we picked it
Google's app platform: auth, realtime DB, and hosting in one.
Pros
- Fastest to ship
- Great Flutter/mobile SDKs
- Realtime out of the box
Cons
- NoSQL only (Firestore)
- Costs can spike at scale
- Vendor lock-in
Supabase
Best Open SourceFree planBest for: Teams that want an open-source Postgres backend
Why we picked it
The open-source Firebase alternative, built on real Postgres.
Pros
- Real SQL (Postgres)
- Open source, portable
- Row-level security
Cons
- Realtime less mature than Firebase
- You manage more of the schema
Independent
Rankings aren't for sale.
Kept current
Reviewed and dated.
Clear method
Same 5 criteria, every time. See how
Frequently asked questions
Is Supabase really a Firebase alternative?
Yes — it covers the same core needs (database, auth, storage, realtime, functions) but on open-source Postgres instead of Google's proprietary stack.
Which is cheaper at scale?
It depends on usage. Firebase pricing scales with reads/writes and can spike for chatty apps; Supabase's Postgres pricing is often more predictable. Model your own workload before committing.
Can I switch later?
Migrating is real work either way, but Supabase's standard Postgres makes leaving easier. Firebase's Firestore data model ties you more tightly to Google.
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