# Instant: Free Open Source Alternative to Fauna, Firebase, MongoDB

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/instant
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Instant (Open Source, Open Source) replaces Fauna, Firebase, MongoDB, PlanetScale. Instant is a database solution for building real-time and offline-enabled applications, simplifying the development of collaborative products.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: Instant
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://www.instantdb.com/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/instantdb/instant
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 10.6k
- **Runs On**: Local
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/instantdb/instant or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (5)
Replacing these paid tools with Instant saves up to $125/mo ($1,500/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Fauna](https://caniforkit.com/fauna) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Fauna vs Instant](https://caniforkit.com/vs/fauna-vs-instant) |
| [Firebase](https://caniforkit.com/firebase) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Firebase vs Instant](https://caniforkit.com/vs/firebase-vs-instant) |
| [MongoDB](https://caniforkit.com/mongodb) | [databases](https://caniforkit.com/category/databases) | $25/mo | [Compare MongoDB vs Instant](https://caniforkit.com/vs/mongodb-vs-instant) |
| [PlanetScale](https://caniforkit.com/planetscale) | [databases](https://caniforkit.com/category/databases) | $25/mo | [Compare PlanetScale vs Instant](https://caniforkit.com/vs/planetscale-vs-instant) |
| [Supabase](https://caniforkit.com/supabase) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Supabase vs Instant](https://caniforkit.com/vs/supabase-vs-instant) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Instant free and open source?
Instant is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on local. Instant is a database solution for building real-time and offline-enabled applications, simplifying the development of collaborative products.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using Instant?
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)