Supabase

The open source Firebase alternative

5.0•828 reviews•

50K followers

The open source Firebase alternative

5.0•828 reviews•

50K followers

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Databases and backend frameworks

Supabase is an open-source backend-as-a-service that provides real-time databases, authentication, and API services. It enables developers to build and scale applications quickly without managing server infrastructure.

Supabase Reviews

The community submitted 828 reviews to tell us what they like about Supabase, what Supabase can do better, and more.

5.0

Based on 828 reviews

Review Supabase?

Reviewers largely see Supabase as a fast, practical way to ship a backend without giving up SQL control. The repeated strengths are real Postgres, built-in auth, storage, realtime features, strong docs, and an interface that feels approachable even for less technical teammates. Several users say it scales well and avoids the lock-in they felt with Firebase. Founders from Folderly, VC Boom, and Flare echo that mix of speed, flexibility, and open-source control. Complaints are limited but specific: some docs are hard to find, auth UX can be tricky, cold starts can lag, and pricing jumps can feel steep.

+833

Summarized with AI

Pros

authentication features (60)

PostgreSQL integration (44)

easy setup (39)

scalable infrastructure (36)

developer experience (29)

real-time capabilities (29)

open source (26)

storage solutions (26)

fast performance (20)

seamless integration (18)

Cons

documentation gaps (3)

limited free tier (2)

Pros

Cons

Reviews

All Reviews

Most Informative

•3 reviews

What's great

fast performance (20)excellent documentation (5)developer experience (29)open source (26)easy setup (39)scalable infrastructure (36)real-time capabilities (29)authentication features (60)PostgreSQL integration (44)storage solutions (26)serverless functions (2)

Supabase is one of the fastest ways to move from idea to working full-stack product without losing the structure of a real database.

The biggest value for me is that it gives you the core backend pieces in one place: PostgreSQL, auth, APIs, storage, and a clean dashboard. For early-stage SaaS work, that speed matters because you can focus more on the product flow instead of spending days wiring basic infrastructure.

I also like that it still feels developer-friendly. You can start quickly, inspect your data, write SQL, connect it to a Next.js app, and keep improving the architecture as the product becomes more serious. For SaaS products, Supabase fits well when you need users, projects, generated outputs, usage history, credits, and analytics-friendly data models. It gives you a strong base without slowing down the first version.

vs Alternatives

Firebase

Convex

MongoDB

I choose Supabase when I want a fast backend setup but still want the structure and flexibility of PostgreSQL.

Firebase is strong for some real-time use cases, and Convex feels very smooth for reactive apps. But Supabase feels more natural when the product needs relational data, SQL, auth, and clearer backend ownership.

For SaaS work, that balance matters: quick setup at the start, but enough flexibility to grow into a more serious architecture later.

Ratings

Ease of use

Reliability

Value for money

Customization

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2 views6h ago

•29 reviews

What's great

fast performance (20)developer experience (29)easy setup (39)seamless integration (18)scalable infrastructure (36)authentication features (60)PostgreSQL integration (44)

Built a full marketplace as a solo founder on Supabase (auth, postgres, RLS, storage, edge functions, realtime, serverless webpages). I'd have needed a small backend team to wire all of that up myself. Postgres underneath means I'm never locked in and never fighting a custom DSL.

RLS in particular is the unlock, security policies live next to the data, not buried in middleware that drifts out of sync.

What needs improvement

limited free tier (2)

Edge function cold starts are still slower than I'd like for user-facing calls. The dashboard's SQL editor is good but loses your unsaved query if you accidentally navigate away, would love a draft auto-save,

Oh, and the pricing jump from Pro to Enterprise is steep for solo founders who outgrow the free tier but don't need a whole org plan yet a middle "indie" tier would be welcome.

vs Alternatives

Firebase

Looked at Firebase (no SQL, vendor lock-in), Pocketbase (single binary is great but no managed scaling), and rolling my own on raw Postgres +Hasura + custom auth.

Supabase wins because it gives you real Postgres with the production wiring already done, but doesn't hide the database

behind an opinion. Migrations are SQL files. Queries are SQL.

If I ever leave, I leave with my data and schema intact

Ratings

Ease of use

Reliability

Value for money

Customization

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98 views2mo ago

used Supabase to build ClawSecure

•8 reviews

What's great

fast performance (20)developer experience (29)open source (26)easy setup (39)seamless integration (18)scalable infrastructure (36)real-time capabilities (29)authentication features (60)PostgreSQL integration (44)storage solutions (26)

Supabase is incredible, and not just because of the product's utility and features. What sets it apart is how accessible the entire experience is. The UI, the configuration, the documentation. Everything is designed so that even non-technical teams can navigate it without needing an engineer on call. We use Supabase as our database layer at ClawSecure and it's been one of the most reliable pieces of our stack. Being able to jump into the dashboard, inspect data, manage tables, and configure settings without writing raw SQL every time is a genuine productivity unlock. Supabase removes a barrier that most database tools don't even acknowledge exists.

vs Alternatives

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131 views3mo ago

used Supabase to build MusicMinutes instead of Firebase, Render, and others

•1 review

What's great

free tier (10)fast performance (20)developer experience (29)open source (26)easy setup (39)responsive support (6)seamless integration (18)scalable infrastructure (36)real-time capabilities (29)authentication features (60)PostgreSQL integration (44)storage solutions (26)automatic API generation (3)self-hosting option (6)serverless functions (2)

Fantastic product! I've had barely any issues and i'm still on the free tier which is excellent! I will swap to paid if I have success with my app for sure and recommend to all!

What needs improvement

Documentation on auth was tricky but once I got a template for what I liked I managed to migrate it to a new app easily and it worked! I also find the UI elements for auth too basic so not usable.

vs Alternatives

Fantastic product! I've had barely any issues and i'm still on the free tier which is excellent! I will swap to paid if I have success with my app for sure and recommend to all!

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62 views2mo ago

•2 reviews

What's great

fast performance (20)easy setup (39)real-time capabilities (29)authentication features (60)self-hosting option (6)

Running Supabase locally feels like having a full backend “starter kit” living right next to your code.

I spin it up and suddenly I’ve got Postgres, auth, file storage, and realtime all running together, plus a clean web dashboard so I’m not wrestling with random containers or config files. It still feels like my stack though - it’s just Postgres and open-source services under the hood, so there’s no weird lock-in or mystery billing later.

For side projects and experiments, local Supabase has basically become my default backend: I start it, point my app at it, and I’m off building features instead of wiring up yet another database + auth + storage combo.

Ratings

Ease of use

Reliability

Value for money

Customization

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200 views8mo ago

•1 review

Supabase is an excellent alternative to Firebase, offering a robust set of features like real-time databases, authentication, and storage with a more open-source approach. One thing to note, though, is that apps may get suspended after a period of inactivity (like a week), which can be resolved by triggering a simple read request to reactivate the service. Overall, I’ve used Supabase in several freelancing projects and have been impressed by its scalability and ease of integration—great for both small and large applications.

What's great

open source (26)seamless integration (18)scalable infrastructure (36)real-time capabilities (29)authentication features (60)storage solutions (26)

What needs improvement

suspension after inactivity (1)

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142 views1yr ago

Letterbase Resources

•1 review

(disclaimer: I joined supabase 3 months ago) I've been using it for 2 years for everything I've built and the experience is amazing. I always recommend it. As a frontend dev coming from Firebase and other BaaS tools I had to learn some SQL and RLS first but once I started getting the hang of it I couldn't use anything else, it's just too good. Best part is being able to use the parts of supabase that I need instead of opting in to a whole BaaS. I have some APIs that only use the database. I have an app that only uses storage (like a google drive for me). It integrates with many other tools, (nocode tools, ORMs, BI tools...)

What's great

developer experience (29)seamless integration (18)storage solutions (26)

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171 views2yr ago

Gridapps Testimonials

•8 reviews

Supabase is hands-down the best backend-as-a-service for indie hackers, startups, and devs who want to build fast. It gives you everything out of the box — Postgres database, auth, file storage, real-time updates, and auto-generated APIs — all with an amazing DX. I’ve used it to build multiple SaaS MVPs, and what blows me away is the speed at which I can go from zero to working product. The docs are excellent, and the community is 🔥. If you want Firebase power with SQL flexibility (and open-source peace of mind), Supabase is a no-brainer.

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95 views12mo ago

used Supabase to build Mentions

•4 reviews

For a powerful, scalable backend, Supabase was the obvious choice. Real-time data? Check. Easy authentication? Check. And it’s open-source! With Supabase, we shipped faster while keeping full control over our infrastructure—no vendor lock-in, just solid tech. We auditioned Firebase, PostgreSQL + Prisma, and even Pocketbase—but Supabase stole the show. Open-source? ✅ Real-time updates without Websocket headaches? ✅ Built-in auth and edge functions? ✅ Plus, we avoid vendor lock-in while keeping costs predictable.

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49 views1yr ago

used Supabase to build Heima

•8 reviews

Supabase has simplified our backend development process, making it quick and easy to build scalable applications. With its real-time database, authentication, and storage features, it provides everything we need to support our app’s growth. The setup is straightforward, and the integration with PostgreSQL allows for powerful data management without the complexity. We can focus on building features rather than worrying about infrastructure. Plus, its open-source nature gives us flexibility and control as we scale.

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4 views1yr ago

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•••

Supabase is one of the fastest ways to move from idea to working full-stack product without losing the structure of a real database.