Supabase vs Appwrite: Open Source BaaS Compared
Supabase vs Appwrite: Open Source BaaS Compared
Both aim to replace Firebase with an open source alternative. Supabase is built on PostgreSQL with a "Firebase but better" philosophy. Appwrite provides a more traditional BaaS with multiple database support. Here's the detailed comparison.
Quick Verdict
Choose Supabase for PostgreSQL power, real-time subscriptions, and the largest ecosystem. Choose Appwrite for a more opinionated, self-contained BaaS with broader database support.
The Comparison
| Feature | Supabase | Appwrite |
|---|---|---|
| Database | PostgreSQL (native) | MariaDB (internal) |
| Auth | ✅ (50K MAU free) | ✅ |
| Real-time | ✅ (database changes) | ✅ (events) |
| Storage | ✅ (S3-compatible) | ✅ |
| Edge Functions | ✅ (Deno) | ✅ (Node.js, Python, etc.) |
| REST API | ✅ (auto-generated) | ✅ |
| GraphQL | ✅ (pg_graphql) | ❌ |
| Row-level security | ✅ (PostgreSQL RLS) | ✅ (permissions) |
| Vectors/embeddings | ✅ (pgvector) | ❌ |
| Full SQL access | ✅ | ❌ |
| Database branching | ✅ | ❌ |
| Client SDKs | JS, Flutter, Swift, Kotlin, Python | JS, Flutter, Swift, Kotlin, Python, + |
| Self-hosted | Docker | Docker |
| Cloud pricing | Free → $25/mo | Free → $15/mo |
| Stack | Elixir, Go, PostgreSQL | Node.js, PHP, MariaDB |
| License | Apache 2.0 | BSD-3-Clause |
| Stars | 76K+ | 46K+ |
When to Choose Supabase
- PostgreSQL is important to you (raw SQL, RLS, extensions)
- You need vector search for AI features (pgvector)
- Real-time database subscriptions are a key feature
- GraphQL support is wanted
- The largest community and ecosystem matter
- You want to use PostgreSQL extensions (PostGIS, pg_cron, etc.)
When to Choose Appwrite
- You want a more opinionated, contained platform
- Multiple function runtimes (Node, Python, PHP, Ruby, etc.)
- You prefer a dashboard-first approach to configuration
- Slightly lower cloud pricing matters
- You want functions that auto-scale independently
The Bottom Line
Supabase gives you PostgreSQL with a beautiful wrapper — full SQL access, extensions, and the power of a real database. Appwrite gives you a self-contained BaaS — simpler but more constrained. Most developers choosing between the two will prefer Supabase for its PostgreSQL foundation.
Compare BaaS platforms on OSSAlt — database capabilities, auth features, and pricing side by side.