Supabase vs Firebase: A Deep Dive
Comparing two popular backend-as-a-service platforms and why I chose Supabase for my projects. Analysis of PostgreSQL vs NoSQL, pricing, and developer experience.
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Choosing the right backend-as-a-service can make or break your project. Here’s my analysis of Supabase vs Firebase.
Supabase
Pros
- PostgreSQL database (open source)
- Real-time subscriptions built-in
- Row Level Security (RLS)
- Self-hostable
- SQL familiarity
Cons
- Newer ecosystem
- Fewer integrations
Firebase
Pros
- Mature ecosystem
- Great documentation
- Extensive integrations
- Google Cloud integration
Cons
- Proprietary NoSQL database
- Vendor lock-in
- Pricing can be unpredictable
- No SQL
My Choice: Supabase
I chose Supabase for several reasons:
- PostgreSQL - Full relational database power
- Open Source - Can self-host if needed
- Transparent Pricing - Predictable costs
- SQL - Team familiarity
Both are excellent choices, but for my use case, Supabase’s openness and SQL foundation made it the winner.