AppWrite costs $25/mo.
These cost $0.
6 free alternatives to AppWrite, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for AppWrite is Supabase (Apache-2.0 Open Source). Across this category, 4 self-hostable tools are available (including Supabase and PocketBase). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $1,500/year compared to AppWrite's $25/mo subscription.
The catch: Supabase replaces Convex's document/function runtime with PostgreSQL, SQL migrations, row-level security, and separate services, so the application architecture must be rewritten rather than simply moved.
AppWrite vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $25/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | open source | Apache-2.0 | Self-host | ★ 114.6k | AppWrite vs Supabase → |
| PocketBase | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 61.6k | AppWrite vs PocketBase → |
| Convex | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 12.8k | AppWrite vs Convex → |
| Encore | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 12.7k | AppWrite vs Encore → |
| Bknd | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 3.8k | AppWrite vs Bknd → |
| Nitric | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2k | AppWrite vs Nitric → |
The picks
6 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Supabase
open sourceApache-2.0Self-host114.6knov 2026Provides a full backend stack built on Postgres: authentication, auto-generated APIs, edge functions, realtime subscriptions, file storage, and vector search.
The catch vs AppWriteSupabase replaces Convex's document/function runtime with PostgreSQL, SQL migrations, row-level security, and separate services, so the application architecture must be rewritten rather than simply moved.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedcliself-host, real ops
- install
- Hosted Supabase project, or the official Docker Compose stack; `supabase start` runs the local stack
- setup
- Self-hosting is not 'just Postgres': the Compose stack needs many secrets and services, plus SMTP, object storage, TLS, backups, observability, and coordinated upgrades.
- your data
- Relational data, auth records, and platform metadata live in PostgreSQL; Realtime consumes the Postgres replication stream; object data lives in the configured storage backend with metadata in Postgres; edge-function and migration source stays in project files. Supabase Cloud stores and operates the managed copy.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
PocketBase
open sourceMITSelf-host61.6knov 2026A lightweight, self-hosted backend solution with real-time database, authentication, and file storage capabilities.
The catch vs AppWritePocketBase is excellent for one modest app, but a single SQLite server with no built-in functions runtime cannot match Firebase's offline SDKs, global scaling, messaging, analytics, or managed operations.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopself-hostedone-click install
- install
- Download one platform binary and run `pocketbase serve`; build from Go source only for custom extensions
- setup
- It installs unusually cleanly, but a public deployment still needs process supervision, HTTPS/reverse proxying, backups of `pb_data`, and a deliberate upgrade routine.
- your data
- Collections, auth records, settings, and application data live in SQLite files under `pb_data`; uploaded files live under `pb_data/storage` by default or in configured S3-compatible storage, and schema migrations can be kept as JavaScript files in `pb_migrations`.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Convex
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host12.8knov 2026Open-source reactive database that keeps your web and mobile apps in sync. Write everything in TypeScript with built-in auth, cron jobs, and AI integration.
The catch vs AppWriteRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed AppWrite.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/get-convex/convex-backend or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 04
Encore
open sourceOpen SourceLocal12.7knov 2026A powerful platform for building cloud backends, automating infrastructure, and simplifying development workflows for faster, more efficient coding.
The catch vs AppWriteCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/encoredev/encore or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 05
Bknd
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host3.8knov 2026Lightweight Firebase alternative with database, auth, storage, and workflows. Framework-agnostic backend that integrates with NextJS, Remix, Hono and more.
The catch vs AppWriteRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed AppWrite.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/bknd-io/bknd or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 06
Nitric
open sourceOpen SourceLocal2knov 2026Nitric automates cloud infrastructure provisioning from your application code for AWS, GCP and Azure
The catch vs AppWriteCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/nitrictech/nitric or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
AppWrite Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 6 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · AppWrite open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to AppWrite?+
The top free alternative to AppWrite is Supabase (open source, Apache-2.0). Provides a full backend stack built on Postgres: authentication, auto-generated APIs, edge functions, realtime subscriptions, file storage, and vector search. Other popular AppWrite replacements include PocketBase, Convex, Encore.
Can I self-host a free replacement for AppWrite?+
Yes. Of the 6 free alternatives to AppWrite, 4 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Supabase (Apache-2.0), PocketBase (MIT), Convex (Open Source), Bknd (Open Source).
How much does switching from AppWrite to a free alternative save?+
AppWrite starts at $25/month per seat ($300/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Supabase saves $1,500 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own AppWrite clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for AppWrite is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for AppWrite or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 6 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Supabase.
What is the catch when switching from AppWrite to Supabase?+
Supabase replaces Convex's document/function runtime with PostgreSQL, SQL migrations, row-level security, and separate services, so the application architecture must be rewritten rather than simply moved.
