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PostgreSQL vs Supabase
Short answer: Pick PostgreSQL if you want advanced open-source relational database; pick Supabase if you want Postgres-backed backend as a service. PostgreSQL is free and open source; Supabase has a free plan, paid from $25/month.
Which to pick
Pick PostgreSQL if you want…
- Advanced open-source relational database
- A free, open-source tool
Pick Supabase if you want…
- Postgres-backed backend as a service
- Postgres development platform
Side by side
- What it is
- PostgreSQL:PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database system known for reliability and performance.
- Supabase:Supabase is an open-source platform that provides a hosted Postgres database with auth, realtime, storage, edge functions and vector search.
- Best for
- PostgreSQL:Advanced open-source relational database
- Supabase:Postgres-backed backend as a service
- Who it’s for
- PostgreSQL:Developers and organizations needing a robust relational database.
- Supabase:Developers building web, mobile or AI apps who need a full backend without managing servers.
- Pricing
- PostgreSQL:Open source
- Supabase:Freemium
- Starting price
- PostgreSQL:Free
- Supabase:$25/month (Pro)
- Free plan or trial
- PostgreSQL:Free to use
- Supabase:Free plan (Free)
- Plans
- PostgreSQL:—
- Supabase:Free $0 · Pro $25 per month · Team $599 per month
- Open source
- PostgreSQL:Yes, 22,836 GitHub stars
- Supabase:Yes, 110,974 GitHub stars
- Works with
- PostgreSQL:—
- Supabase:React, Next.js, Flutter, Expo React Native, OpenAI, Hugging Face, Stripe
PostgreSQL features
- Object-relational engine. Combines relational and object-oriented features for flexible data modeling.
- Reliability. Proven stability with over 35 years of active development.
- Feature robustness. Rich SQL support, extensions, and advanced indexing.
- Performance. Optimized query execution and concurrency handling.
- Extensive documentation. Official docs cover installation, usage, and administration.
- Community support. Mailing lists, events, and user groups help users collaborate.
- Security updates. Regular releases fix vulnerabilities, e.g., 52 CVEs in the latest minor release.
- Versioning policy. Clear support timelines; version 14 ends support on 2026-11-12.
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.
PostgreSQL vs Supabase FAQ
What is the difference between PostgreSQL and Supabase?+
Supabase provides an open-source Postgres platform with additional auth and realtime layers.
Should I use PostgreSQL or Supabase?+
Pick PostgreSQL if you want advanced open-source relational database or a free, open-source tool. Pick Supabase if you want Postgres-backed backend as a service or Postgres development platform.
Is PostgreSQL or Supabase free?+
PostgreSQL is free and open source. Supabase has a free plan; paid plans start at $25/month (Pro).
Which is cheaper, PostgreSQL or Supabase?+
PostgreSQL is free, so it costs less. Supabase starts at $25/month (Pro).
Is PostgreSQL or Supabase open source?+
Yes, both are open source: PostgreSQL (postgres/postgres on GitHub) and Supabase (supabase/supabase on GitHub, Apache-2.0 license).
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.