Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Firebase · 🛠️ dev tools
Firebase vs Supabase
Provides a full backend stack built on Postgres: authentication, auto-generated APIs, edge functions, realtime subscriptions, file storage, and vector search. Here is how Supabase ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Firebase ($25/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Supabase is a verified Apache-2.0-licensed open-source replacement for Firebase. Switching from Firebase ($25/mo) saves $300/yr per solo seat, or $1,500/yr for a 5-person team. Deployment: Runs on Self-host.
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.
Supabase
$0.00/mo · Apache-2.0
Firebase vs Supabase Specifications
facts verified 2026-11-07
| Dimension | Firebase (Paid) | Supabase (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $25 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $300 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $300) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,500 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,500) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $3,000 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $3,000) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Apache-2.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hostedcliself-host, real ops |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 114.6k (active nov 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Firebase to Supabase
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
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.
How to deploy Supabase
Hosted Supabase project, or the official Docker Compose stack; `supabase start` runs the local stack
What it takes to run
Self-hosting is not 'just Postgres': the Compose stack needs many secrets and services, plus SMTP, object storage, TLS, backups, observability, and coordinated upgrades.
Where your data lives
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.
Why fork Supabase instead of vibe-coding a Firebase clone?
Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Firebase or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 14 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Supabase.
Firebase vs Supabase FAQ
Is Supabase a good free alternative to Firebase?+
Yes. Supabase is a verified open-source (Apache-2.0) replacement for Firebase. Provides a full backend stack built on Postgres: authentication, auto-generated APIs, edge functions, realtime subscriptions, file storage, and vector search.
What is the catch when switching from Firebase 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.
How much do you save switching from Firebase to Supabase?+
Firebase costs $25/mo ($300/yr) per seat, whereas Supabase is $0/mo. Switching saves $300/yr for a solo user, $1,500/yr for a 5-person team, and $3,000/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Supabase instead of Firebase?+
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.
