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Firebase vs Supabase
Short answer: Pick Firebase if you want integrated backend services for apps; pick Supabase if you want Postgres-backed backend as a service. Firebase has a free plan; Supabase has a free plan, paid from $25/month.
Which to pick
Pick Firebase if you want…
- Integrated backend services for apps
- Realtime NoSQL backend
- Integrations with iOS, Android or Web (on Firebase's list, not Supabase's)
Pick Supabase if you want…
- Postgres-backed backend as a service
- Open-source Postgres development platform
- Open-source code (supabase/supabase on GitHub, Apache-2.0 license)
- Integrations with React, Next.js or Expo React Native (on Supabase's list, not Firebase's)
Firebase is a Google-hosted backend with Firestore (NoSQL) while Supabase offers a relational Postgres database.
Side by side
- What it is
- Firebase:Firebase is Google’s platform of services for building, running and scaling mobile and web apps.
- Supabase:Supabase is an open-source platform that provides a hosted Postgres database with auth, realtime, storage, edge functions and vector search.
- Best for
- Firebase:Integrated backend services for apps
- Supabase:Postgres-backed backend as a service
- Who it’s for
- Firebase:Mobile and web developers building modern applications.
- Supabase:Developers building web, mobile or AI apps who need a full backend without managing servers.
- Pricing
- Firebase:Freemium
- Supabase:Freemium
- Starting price
- Firebase:—
- Supabase:$25/month (Pro)
- Free plan or trial
- Firebase:Free plan (Spark (Free)) · Free trial
- Supabase:Free plan (Free)
- Plans
- Firebase:Spark (Free) $0
- Supabase:Free $0 · Pro $25 per month · Team $599 per month
- Open source
- Firebase:—
- Supabase:Yes, 110,974 GitHub stars
- Works with
- Firebase:iOS, Android, Web, Flutter, Unity, C++, Google Ads, AdMob
- Supabase:React, Next.js, Flutter, Expo React Native, OpenAI, Hugging Face, Stripe
Firebase features
- Authentication. Provides user sign-in, phone auth and identity platform with generous free limits.
- Realtime Database & Firestore. Scalable NoSQL databases with real-time sync and offline support.
- Hosting & Cloud Functions. Static web hosting with SSL and serverless functions for backend logic.
- Crashlytics & Performance Monitoring. Live crash reporting and performance metrics to improve app quality.
- Remote Config & A/B Testing. Feature flagging and experiments to personalize user experiences.
- Firebase AI Logic. Generative AI integration powered by Gemini and Google Cloud pricing.
Supabase features
- Managed Postgres. Each project gets its own dedicated Postgres instance with built-in Row Level Security.
- Authentication. User sign-up, login, social OAuth and MFA with automatic JWT handling.
- Realtime API. Live data synchronization for multiplayer or collaborative experiences.
- Edge Functions. Serverless functions that run close to the database without provisioning servers.
- Storage & CDN. File storage with 1 GB free, cached egress and basic CDN for serving assets.
- Vector Embeddings. Store, index and search vector embeddings via OpenAI or Hugging Face integrations.
- Instant REST/GraphQL APIs. Auto-generated APIs for any table, accessible via the client library.
- Dashboard & Tools. SQL/Table editors, RLS policy UI, log viewer and backup controls in a web console.
Firebase vs Supabase FAQ
What is the difference between Firebase and Supabase?+
Supabase: Postgres-based open-source platform with realtime features, similar to Firestore. Firebase is a Google-hosted backend with Firestore (NoSQL) while Supabase offers a relational Postgres database.
Should I use Firebase or Supabase?+
Pick Firebase if you want integrated backend services for apps, realtime NoSQL backend or integrations with iOS, Android or Web (on Firebase's list, not Supabase's). Pick Supabase if you want Postgres-backed backend as a service, open-source Postgres development platform or open-source code (supabase/supabase on GitHub, Apache-2.0 license).
Is Firebase or Supabase free?+
Firebase has a free plan (Spark (Free)) and paid plans. Supabase has a free plan; paid plans start at $25/month (Pro).
Is Firebase or Supabase open source?+
Supabase is open source (supabase/supabase on GitHub, Apache-2.0 license). DevHunt has no public source repository on record for Firebase.
Do Firebase and Supabase integrate with the same tools?+
Partly. Both list Flutter. Firebase also lists iOS, Android, Web, Unity and 8 more; Supabase also lists React, Next.js, Expo React Native, OpenAI and 2 more.
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.