Backend
Supabase vs Firebase: Which Backend Platform for You?
Supabase vs Firebase: open-source Postgres vs Google's NoSQL platform. Compare database, auth, storage, edge functions, pricing, and real-time features.
Last updated: 2026-07-20
Supabase is better for most developers
Best for developers who want open source, SQL, and no vendor lock-in. Best for mobile apps needing mature real-time features and Google Cloud integration.
Firebase
Best for mobile apps needing mature real-time features and Google Cloud integration.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Supabase | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Database | ||
| Database Type | PostgreSQL (SQL) | Firestore (NoSQL) |
| Real-time Subscriptions | | |
| Row-level Security | Winner | Via rules |
| Full-text Search | pgvector + pg_trgm Winner | Via Algolia |
| Vector / AI Embeddings | pgvector native Winner | Via Vertex AI |
| Auth & Storage | ||
| Built-in Auth | | |
| Social Login | | |
| File Storage | S3-compatible | |
| Edge Functions | Deno-based | Cloud Functions |
| Platform | ||
| Open Source | Winner | |
| Self-hostable | Winner | |
| Built-in Hosting | | Winner |
| No Vendor Lock-in | Winner | |
| Pricing | ||
| Free Tier | 500MB DB, 1GB storage | 1GB Firestore, 10GB transfer |
| Pro Price | $25/mo | Pay-as-you-go |
| Bandwidth Cost | Predictable Winner | Can spike |
| Score | 7 / 16 | 1 / 16 |
Overview
Supabase and Firebase are both backend-as-a-service platforms that give developers everything needed to build full-stack applications. The key difference: Supabase is open source and built on PostgreSQL, while Firebase is Googleโs proprietary platform with a NoSQL real-time database.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Supabase | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Database | PostgreSQL | Firestore (NoSQL) |
| Auth | Built-in (GoTrue) | Firebase Auth |
| Storage | S3-compatible | Firebase Storage |
| Edge Functions | Deno-based | Cloud Functions |
| Realtime | PostgreSQL subscriptions | Native real-time listener |
| Hosting | Not included | Firebase Hosting |
| Open Source | Yes (Apache 2.0) | No |
| Free Tier | 500MB DB, 1GB storage | 1GB Firestore, 10GB transfer |
When to Choose Supabase
Choose Supabase if you want SQL, open source, no vendor lock-in, and the power of PostgreSQL with modern tooling.
When to Choose Firebase
Choose Firebase if you need a mature mobile-first platform with excellent real-time features, deep Google Cloud integration, and battle-tested infrastructure.