Alternatives to Firebase

Supabase

83,961

Apache-2.0

Supabase is a powerful open-source alternative to Firebase that provides a complete backend-as-a-service platform built on PostgreSQL. It combines the reliability and features of PostgreSQL with modern developer tools, real-time capabilities, and a comprehensive suite of backend services, making it ideal for building full-stack applications.

Key Features

PostgreSQL Database:
- Full PostgreSQL database with all advanced features
- Auto-generated REST APIs from database schema
- GraphQL support through pg_graphql extension
- Row Level Security (RLS) for fine-grained access control
- Database functions and triggers
- Full-text search capabilities
Authentication & Authorization:
- Built-in user management system
- Social OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, Discord, etc.)
- Magic link authentication
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- JWT token-based authentication
- Row Level Security integration
Real-time Capabilities:
- Real-time database change subscriptions
- Presence tracking for collaborative features
- Broadcast messaging between clients
- WebSocket-based connections
- Channel management and filtering
- Conflict-free replicated data types (CRDTs)
File Storage:
- S3-compatible object storage
- Image transformations and optimization
- CDN integration for global delivery
- Access policies and permissions
- Resumable file uploads
- Automatic backup and versioning
Edge Functions:
- Serverless TypeScript/JavaScript functions
- Global edge deployment
- Custom API endpoints
- Database triggers and webhooks
- Third-party integrations
- Scheduled functions
Developer Experience:
- Intuitive web dashboard
- Built-in SQL editor with autocomplete
- Auto-generated API documentation
- Comprehensive CLI tools
- Client libraries for multiple platforms
- Local development environment
Enterprise Features:
- Single sign-on (SSO) integration
- Advanced security features
- Audit logging and compliance
- Custom domains and SSL
- Priority support
- SLA guarantees

Technical Specifications

Database: PostgreSQL with extensions
API Layer: PostgREST for auto-generated APIs
Authentication: GoTrue auth server
Real-time: Custom WebSocket server
Storage: S3-compatible object storage
Functions: Deno runtime for edge functions
Deployment: Docker Compose, Kubernetes

Use Cases

Web Applications: Full-stack web apps with real-time features
Mobile Applications: Backend for iOS and Android apps
SaaS Products: Multi-tenant software-as-a-service platforms
Real-time Apps: Chat applications, collaborative tools
E-commerce: Online stores with inventory management
Content Management: Blogs, portfolios, and media platforms

Unique Advantages

PostgreSQL Power: Full SQL database with advanced features
Open Source: Transparent, customizable, and community-driven
Real-time First: Built-in real-time capabilities across all services
Developer Friendly: Excellent tooling and documentation
Firebase Compatible: Easy migration path from Firebase
Self-Hosted: Complete control over data and infrastructure

Appwrite

50,859

BSD-3-Clause

Appwrite is a comprehensive backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform that provides developers with all the essential backend services needed to build modern applications. Designed to be self-hosted and open-source, Appwrite offers a complete suite of tools including authentication, databases, file storage, cloud functions, and real-time capabilities.

Key Features

User Authentication & Management:
- Multiple authentication methods (email/password, phone, OAuth)
- 30+ OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, Facebook, etc.)
- Anonymous sessions and guest access
- User preferences and metadata
- Team and organization management
- Session management and security
Database Services:
- Document-based NoSQL database
- Real-time database updates
- Advanced query capabilities
- Relationships and references
- Full-text search functionality
- Data validation and permissions
File Storage & Management:
- Secure file upload and storage
- Image manipulation and optimization
- File encryption and compression
- CDN integration for global delivery
- File preview and thumbnails
- Antivirus scanning
Cloud Functions:
- Serverless function execution
- Multiple runtime support (Node.js, Python, PHP, etc.)
- Event-driven triggers
- Scheduled function execution
- Custom domain support
- Environment variables
Real-time Capabilities:
- WebSocket connections
- Live database updates
- Pub/Sub messaging system
- Presence detection
- Real-time collaboration features
- Event broadcasting
Security & Permissions:
- Role-based access control
- API key management
- JWT token authentication
- Rate limiting and abuse protection
- CORS configuration
- Data encryption at rest and in transit
Developer Experience:
- 15+ client SDKs (JavaScript, Flutter, React Native, etc.)
- REST API with OpenAPI documentation
- GraphQL support
- CLI tools for deployment
- Web console for management
- Comprehensive documentation

Technical Specifications

Backend: PHP with Swoole
Database: MariaDB with Redis caching
Storage: Local filesystem or S3-compatible
Deployment: Docker containers
Protocols: HTTP/HTTPS, WebSocket
APIs: REST, GraphQL, Real-time
SDKs: 15+ client libraries

Use Cases

Mobile Applications: Native iOS and Android app backends
Web Applications: SPA and PWA backend services
Real-time Apps: Chat applications, collaborative tools
E-commerce: Product catalogs, user management, payments
Content Management: Blogs, portfolios, media platforms
IoT Applications: Device management, data collection

Unique Advantages

Self-Hosted: Complete control over data and infrastructure
Open Source: Transparent, customizable, and community-driven
Multi-Platform: Support for web, mobile, and native applications
Real-time First: Built-in real-time capabilities across all services
Developer Friendly: Extensive SDKs and comprehensive documentation
Production Ready: Enterprise-grade security and scalability features

PocketBase

47,624

MIT

PocketBase is a revolutionary backend solution that packages everything you need for your next SaaS or mobile application into a single executable file. Built with Go and SQLite, it provides database management, user authentication, file storage, and an admin dashboard without the complexity of traditional backend setups.

Key Features

Single File Backend:
- Complete backend in one executable file
- Built-in web server and database
- No external dependencies required
- Easy deployment and distribution
- Portable across platforms
- Minimal resource requirements
Database Management:
- SQLite database with real-time capabilities
- Visual schema builder and editor
- Automatic API generation from schema
- Data relationships and constraints
- Built-in data validation
- Database migrations and backups
Authentication System:
- Built-in user management
- Email/password authentication
- OAuth provider integration (Google, GitHub, etc.)
- JWT token-based authentication
- Role-based access control
- Password reset and email verification
File Storage & Management:
- File upload and download APIs
- Automatic image resizing and optimization
- File type validation and restrictions
- Multiple storage backend support
- CDN integration capabilities
- Thumbnail generation
Admin Dashboard:
- Web-based administration interface
- Visual data management tools
- User and permission management
- Real-time logs and analytics
- Settings and configuration panel
- Database schema editor
Real-time Capabilities:
- WebSocket-based real-time subscriptions
- Live data updates
- Real-time collection changes
- Event-driven architecture
- Custom event handling
- Presence detection
Developer Experience:
- Auto-generated REST APIs
- Client SDKs for multiple platforms
- Hot reload during development
- Custom JavaScript hooks
- Middleware support
- Comprehensive documentation

Technical Specifications

Language: Go
Database: SQLite with WAL mode
Storage: Local filesystem, S3-compatible
Authentication: JWT tokens, OAuth
APIs: REST, WebSocket
Deployment: Single binary executable
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS

Use Cases

SaaS Applications: Complete backend for software-as-a-service products
Mobile Apps: Backend services for iOS and Android applications
Prototyping: Rapid backend development for MVPs
Small to Medium Projects: Full-featured backend without complexity
Edge Computing: Lightweight backend for edge deployments
Personal Projects: Simple backend for hobby and personal applications

Unique Advantages

Simplicity: Everything in one file, no complex setup
Performance: Fast Go runtime with efficient SQLite database
Portability: Single executable runs anywhere
Real-time: Built-in WebSocket support for live updates
Self-contained: No external dependencies or services required
Developer Friendly: Auto-generated APIs and comprehensive tooling

TrailBase

2,441

OSL-3.0

TrailBase is a next-generation backend platform that combines the simplicity of Firebase with the performance of Rust and the reliability of SQLite. Designed as a single executable, it delivers sub-millisecond response times while providing type-safe APIs, real-time capabilities, and a built-in JavaScript/TypeScript runtime for custom logic.

Key Features

Exceptional Performance:
- Sub-millisecond API response times
- High-throughput request handling
- Memory-efficient architecture
- Zero cold start delays
- Optimized Rust runtime
- Minimal resource footprint
Type-Safe APIs:
- Automatically generated type-safe REST APIs
- Real-time API endpoints
- GraphQL query support
- WebSocket connections for live updates
- Schema validation and enforcement
- API documentation generation
Real-time Capabilities:
- Live data synchronization
- Real-time query subscriptions
- WebSocket-based updates
- Event-driven architecture
- Presence detection
- Collaborative features support
Built-in Runtime:
- JavaScript/TypeScript execution environment
- Server-side function execution
- Edge computing capabilities
- Custom business logic implementation
- Event handlers and triggers
- Middleware support
Database Management:
- SQLite backend with ACID transactions
- Real-time query capabilities
- Automatic schema migrations
- Data validation and constraints
- Backup and restore functionality
- Query optimization
Authentication System:
- Comprehensive user management
- JWT token-based authentication
- OAuth provider integration
- Role-based access control
- Session management
- Security best practices
Admin Interface:
- Modern web-based admin UI
- Visual data management tools
- User administration panel
- Real-time system monitoring
- Configuration management
- Performance analytics