Comparison of Supabase and Firebase

Supabase

• Managed PostgreSQL hosting
• Generous free tier
• Compatible with Prisma ORM
• Strengths:
  • Well-written documentation
  • Open source, can be self-hosted
• Limitation:
  • Lacks multi-tenancy support
• User feedback:
  • "Supabase is great and offers a generous free tier."
  • "Generous free trial. Simple to use."

Firebase

• Built around Firestore (NoSQL database)
• Offers more integrations and tools
• Strengths:
  • Firebase Authentication is free for unlimited use
  • Suitable for mobile app development
• User feedback:
  • "Firebase is a king anywhere anytime."
  • "Firebase can do all [what Supabase offers], has offline support via cache."

Comparison/Opinions

• Pros of Supabase:
  • Easier to onboard
  • Offers native MFA support
  • Can put a spending limit to prevent unexpected costs
• Pros of Firebase:
  • Backed by Google
  • More tools in the suite, especially for mobile apps
  • Strong authentication services

Additional Insights

• Consider Firebase Auth even if using Supabase for other services.
• Real-time needs can be met by services like Convex.
• User relationships are easier to manage with SQL databases like Supabase.
• Consider AWS EC2 hosted MariaDB + Django for alternatives.
• Multiplayer game hosting using Firebase is easy and reliable.
• Development speed favors Firebase, but Supabase offers more control over database structure.
• Pricing models differ, with Firebase offering certain services for free but potentially leading to high bills accidentally.
• Both platforms offer unique advantages and limitations based on specific project needs.

Miscellaneous

• Consider Kinsta as an alternative for hosting with resource pricing model.
• Fan-out feed approach for real-time data updates.
• Some users find Supabase more suitable for B2B customers.
• Consider Cloudflare for services that reduce vendor lock-in concerns.