PocketBase vs Supabase vs Appwrite (2026)

Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platforms handle auth, database, storage, and realtime so you can ship faster. Here's how the three open-source leaders compare.

Quick Comparison

Feature	PocketBase	Supabase	Appwrite
Database	SQLite	PostgreSQL	MariaDB
Deployment	Single binary	Docker/Cloud	Docker/Cloud
Auth	✅ Built-in	✅ Built-in	✅ Built-in
Realtime	✅ SSE	✅ WebSockets	✅ WebSockets
Storage	✅ Local/S3	✅ S3-compatible	✅ Built-in
Functions	✅ Go hooks	✅ Edge Functions (Deno)	✅ Functions (multiple runtimes)
Admin UI	✅ Built-in	✅ Dashboard	✅ Console
Pricing	Free (self-host only)	Free tier, $25/mo	Free tier, $15/mo
Language	Go	Elixir/PostgreSQL	Multiple
Best For	Solo devs, prototypes	Production apps	Multi-runtime teams

PocketBase — The Single Binary

Best for: Solo developers, prototypes, small apps that need simplicity.

What makes it unique: PocketBase is a single Go binary (~20MB) that includes everything — database, auth, file storage, admin UI, and API. Download, run, done.

# That's it. Your entire backend.
./pocketbase serve

Key strengths:

• Easiest deployment — single file, runs anywhere
• Zero dependencies — no Docker, no Redis, no separate database
• Built-in admin UI — manage collections, users, and data
• Go hooks — extend with Go code for custom logic
• SQLite — perfect for small-medium apps

// Client usage
import PocketBase from 'pocketbase'

const pb = new PocketBase('http://localhost:8090')

// Auth
await pb.collection('users').authWithPassword('user@email.com', 'password')

// CRUD
const posts = await pb.collection('posts').getList(1, 20, { sort: '-created' })
await pb.collection('posts').create({ title: 'Hello', body: '...' })

// Realtime
pb.collection('posts').subscribe('*', (e) => {
  console.log('Change:', e.action, e.record)
})

Pros: Simplest possible backend, single binary, zero ops, free. Cons: SQLite limitations at scale, no managed cloud, smaller ecosystem, limited functions.

Supabase — The Production Choice

Best for: Production apps that need PostgreSQL power with a great developer experience.

Key strengths:

• PostgreSQL — full SQL power, extensions, RLS
• Edge Functions — Deno-based serverless functions
• Realtime — WebSocket subscriptions on any table
• Vector support — pgvector for AI/embeddings
• Managed cloud — generous free tier

Pros: Most powerful database, best for production, managed cloud, active community. Cons: More complex than PocketBase, Docker for self-hosting, can get expensive.

Appwrite — The Multi-Runtime Platform

Best for: Teams that want BaaS with support for multiple programming languages.

Key strengths:

• Multi-runtime functions — Node.js, Python, PHP, Ruby, Dart, and more
• Teams and permissions — granular access control
• Console — polished admin interface
• Flutter SDK — best mobile support of the three

Pros: Multi-language functions, good mobile SDKs, managed cloud option. Cons: MariaDB (less powerful than PostgreSQL), smaller community than Supabase.

Decision Guide

Scenario	Choose
Hackathon / prototype	PocketBase
Production SaaS	Supabase
Side project / MVP	PocketBase or Supabase free
Mobile app (Flutter)	Appwrite
AI features needed	Supabase (pgvector)
Zero ops, single server	PocketBase
Team with multiple languages	Appwrite

FAQ

Can PocketBase handle production traffic?

For small-medium apps (thousands of users), yes. SQLite handles concurrent reads well. For high-write workloads or millions of users, use Supabase (PostgreSQL).

Is Supabase really free?

The free tier includes 2 projects, 500MB database, 1GB storage, and 50K monthly active users. Very generous for MVPs and side projects.

Can I migrate from PocketBase to Supabase later?

You'll need to export data and recreate schemas. Plan for this if you start with PocketBase and expect to grow significantly.

Bottom Line

PocketBase for simplicity — download one file and you have a backend. Supabase for production — PostgreSQL power with a great DX. Appwrite for multi-language teams and Flutter apps. Start with PocketBase for prototypes, Supabase for anything you plan to scale.