Supabase vs Firebase
The "open source Firebase alternative" vs the OG. Postgres vs NoSQL. Here's which one wins.
Supabase
Postgres is just better than Firestore for most use cases. You get real SQL, proper relationships, and row-level security that actually makes sense. Plus it's open source, so you're not locked in.
The Fundamental Difference
Firebase uses Firestore, a NoSQL document database. Supabase uses PostgreSQL, a relational SQL database.
This isn't just a technical detail. It affects how you think about your data, how you query it, and how screwed you are when your data model changes.
Spoiler: SQL wins for almost everything except real-time chat apps and game leaderboards.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Supabase | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Database | PostgreSQL (SQL) | Firestore (NoSQL) |
| Query Flexibility | Full SQL power | Limited queries |
| Real-time | Good | Excellent |
| Auth | Clean, simple | Feature-rich but complex |
| Open Source | Yes (self-host option) | No (Google lock-in) |
| Free Tier | 500MB, 2 projects | Generous but complex |
| Mobile SDKs | Good | Excellent |
| Edge Functions | Deno-based, simple | Cloud Functions (heavier) |
Why Postgres Wins
With Firestore, you design your data around your queries. Change your UI? Restructure your entire database. It's a nightmare for anything that evolves.
With Postgres, you design your data correctly once, then query it however you want. Need a new report? Write a SQL query. Don't migrate anything.
"I have yet to meet someone who moved from Firestore to Postgres and regretted it. I've met many who went the other direction and wanted to cry."
Where Firebase Wins
To be fair, Firebase does some things better:
- Real-time sync: Firestore's real-time listeners are genuinely better. If you're building a chat app or collaborative editor, this matters.
- Mobile SDKs: Firebase's iOS and Android SDKs are more mature and feature-rich.
- Offline support: Firestore's offline persistence is automatic and works great.
- Ecosystem: Analytics, Crashlytics, Remote Config, Cloud Messaging - Firebase has a lot of stuff.
The Lock-in Question
Firebase is a Google product. Your data lives in Google's proprietary format. Moving away is painful.
Supabase is open source. You can self-host it. Your data is in standard Postgres. Moving away is a normal database migration.
For side projects, lock-in doesn't matter. For anything serious, it does.
Auth Comparison
Both have built-in auth. Supabase's is simpler and cleaner. Firebase's has more features but more configuration.
For most apps, Supabase's auth is enough and easier to work with. If you need advanced stuff like phone auth or anonymous users upgrading to permanent accounts, Firebase is better.
The Verdict
Use Supabase if: You want SQL, open source, and a cleaner developer experience. This is most web apps.
Use Firebase if: You're building a mobile-first app, need excellent real-time sync, or want Firebase's analytics/crash reporting ecosystem.
Don't use either if: You're building something at serious scale. Both are fine for startups, but you might outgrow them.
Postgres beats Firestore for most apps. Supabase's DX is cleaner. The open source angle matters. For web apps and APIs, Supabase wins.