Supabase
Open-source Firebase alternative with a real PostgreSQL database
Overview
Supabase packages a full PostgreSQL database with authentication, storage, edge functions, and real-time capabilities into a cohesive platform. Unlike Firebase's proprietary database, Supabase gives you a real PostgreSQL instance that you can query with SQL, connect with any ORM, and migrate away from if needed.
The real-time capabilities transform PostgreSQL into a reactive data layer. Subscribe to database changes from the client, and Supabase pushes updates via WebSockets. For applications that need live data - dashboards, collaborative tools, notification systems - this eliminates the need for custom real-time infrastructure.
Row Level Security (RLS) policies let you define access rules directly in PostgreSQL. Combined with Supabase Auth, this means your data access logic lives in the database rather than scattered across API endpoints - a fundamentally more secure architecture.
Key Features
PostgreSQL Database
Full PostgreSQL with extensions, SQL access, and migrations
Authentication
Email, OAuth, phone, and magic link auth with session management
Storage
File upload and serving with image transformations
Edge Functions
Serverless TypeScript functions at the edge
Real-Time
Subscribe to database changes over WebSockets
Row Level Security
Fine-grained access control at the database level
Why We Recommend Supabase
Supabase is our recommendation for teams that want a complete backend platform without vendor lock-in. Real PostgreSQL means you can always take your data and leave. The auth, storage, and real-time features eliminate the need for separate services.