Supabase
Open-source Firebase alternative. PostgreSQL database, authentication, realtime subscriptions, storage, and edge functions—all in one platform. Backend infrastructure in minutes, not weeks. Used by Mozilla, OpenAI, Puma, and thousands of startups.
Why We Build with Supabase
Real PostgreSQL Database
Not a proprietary database—full PostgreSQL with all features. SQL queries, joins, stored procedures, triggers. No vendor lock-in.
Auto-Generated APIs
RESTful API generated automatically from database schema. Real-time subscriptions built-in. GraphQL coming soon. No backend code needed.
Built-In Authentication
Email, magic links, OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, etc), phone auth. Row-level security policies. User management dashboard included.
Realtime Subscriptions
WebSocket connections to database changes. Listen to inserts, updates, deletes. Build collaborative apps, live dashboards, chat features instantly.
File Storage
S3-compatible object storage. Image transformations, automatic optimization. Integrate with CDN. Upload files without separate storage service.
100% Open Source
Self-host if needed. No vendor lock-in. MIT licensed. Community-driven development. Transparent roadmap and pricing.
Supabase Features That Matter
PostgreSQL Foundation
Full PostgreSQL database with all extensions. Not a limited subset—complete SQL power with ACID guarantees.
- Full PostgreSQL 15+ with extensions
- PostGIS for geospatial queries
- Full-text search with pg_trgm
- JSON and JSONB support
- Foreign data wrappers
- Database functions and triggers
Complete Authentication System
User authentication, authorization, and management built-in. Secure by default with row-level security.
- Email/password, magic links, OTP
- OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, Apple, etc)
- Phone authentication
- Row-level security (RLS) policies
- JWT tokens and refresh tokens
- Multi-factor authentication
Database Subscriptions
Listen to database changes in real-time. WebSocket connections with automatic reconnection. Build live features without additional infrastructure.
- Subscribe to table changes (insert/update/delete)
- Broadcast messages between clients
- Presence tracking for online users
- Postgres changes via WebSockets
- Filter subscriptions with RLS
- Channel-based communication
Object Storage & CDN
S3-compatible storage with automatic CDN. Image transformations, resumable uploads, access control integrated with database.
- Unlimited file uploads (size limits per plan)
- Image transformations (resize, crop, optimize)
- Resumable uploads for large files
- Access control with RLS policies
- CDN integration for fast delivery
- Signed URLs for temporary access
Serverless Functions
Deploy serverless functions globally. TypeScript support, run on Deno runtime. Perfect for webhooks, scheduled tasks, custom logic.
- TypeScript and JavaScript support
- Deno runtime for security
- Deploy globally on edge network
- Database and Auth clients built-in
- Scheduled functions (cron jobs)
- Database triggers integration
Built-In Tooling
SQL Editor, Table Editor, API documentation auto-generated. Everything needed for development in browser-based dashboard.
- SQL Editor with autocomplete
- Visual table editor (no SQL needed)
- Auto-generated API docs
- Database backups and point-in-time recovery
- Logs and monitoring dashboard
- CLI for local development
Backend in Minutes, Not Weeks
Perfect Projects for Supabase
SaaS Applications
Multi-tenant SaaS with authentication, database, file storage. Row-level security isolates customer data. Scale from prototype to production.
Mobile Apps
Native iOS and Android with offline-first sync. React Native, Flutter integrations. Realtime features without custom backend.
Collaborative Tools
Real-time collaboration, live cursors, presence. Chat, comments, notifications. Realtime subscriptions power everything.
Internal Dashboards
Admin panels, internal tools, data dashboards. Auto-generated APIs speed development. Row-level security for permissions.
E-Learning Platforms
Course content, user progress, video storage. Authentication for students and instructors. Real-time notifications and updates.
MVPs & Prototypes
Launch in days, not months. Backend infrastructure ready instantly. Validate ideas fast, iterate based on feedback.
Supabase vs Firebase
Supabase is Perfect When...
- Need relational database (SQL, joins)
- Want open-source solution
- Prefer PostgreSQL over NoSQL
- Complex queries and relationships
- Self-hosting might be needed
- Team knows SQL
- Full database control required
- Cost-conscious (better free tier)
Firebase Better If...
- Already invested in Google Cloud
- Need Google Analytics integration
- Document-based data model preferred
- Mobile-first with Firebase SDKs
- Mature ecosystem critical
- FCM push notifications essential
- Team experienced with Firebase
- Google-backed support required
Transparent, Predictable Costs
- 2 projects
- 500MB database space
- 1GB file storage
- 50,000 monthly active users
- 500MB bandwidth
- Community support
- 7-day log retention
- Unlimited projects
- 8GB database space
- 100GB file storage
- 100,000 monthly active users
- 250GB bandwidth
- Email support
- Daily backups, 7-day retention
- Dedicated infrastructure
- Custom database sizes
- Unlimited storage & bandwidth
- SLA guarantees
- Priority support & Slack channel
- Enterprise security features
- Custom contracts & invoicing
Why Startups Choose Supabase
Supabase eliminates months of backend development. Teams launch in days instead of weeks, iterate faster, and scale without infrastructure headaches. Open-source architecture means no vendor lock-in.
Launch 10x Faster
Database, auth, storage, APIs—ready in minutes. No backend to build, no servers to configure. Prototype to production in days.
PostgreSQL Power
Real database, not proprietary NoSQL. SQL queries, joins, complex relationships. Mature ecosystem, 30+ years of development.
No Vendor Lock-In
100% open source, self-hostable. Export data anytime. Migrate away if needed. Your data, your control.
Lower Infrastructure Costs
Generous free tier, predictable pricing. No surprise bills. Scales efficiently—most apps stay under $25/month.
Real-Time by Default
Database subscriptions built-in. No Redis, no message queue setup. Realtime features in 10 lines of code.
Developer Experience
Auto-generated APIs, TypeScript client, great docs. Everything in browser dashboard. Developers love building with Supabase.
Ready to Build with Supabase?
Let's architect your database, implement authentication, and build real-time features with Supabase. Free consultation to review your backend requirements.