Firebase vs Supabase — free-tier comparison
Firebase is a client-first Google backend built around products such as Firestore. Supabase is a PostgreSQL backend platform with SQL, row-level security and generated APIs. Both can power a complete app, but their data models shape almost every later decision.
At a glance
Choose Firebase when its mobile SDKs, document model and Google ecosystem match the product. Choose Supabase when relational SQL, PostgreSQL tooling and a clearer database migration path matter more. Do not choose only from free quotas; changing data models later is the expensive part.
Choose Firebase if
- You want mature mobile SDKs and Firestore realtime listeners
- Your data naturally fits documents and denormalized reads
- You already use Google Cloud and Firebase tooling
Choose Supabase if
- You need relational SQL, joins and PostgreSQL extensions
- You want row-level security and generated REST APIs
- An open-source stack and self-hosting option matter
Key differences
| Firebase | Supabase | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary database | Firestore document database | PostgreSQL relational database |
| Query model | Client SDK queries and security rules | SQL, RLS and generated APIs |
| Open source | Proprietary managed platform | Open-source platform with hosted service |
| Free project behavior | Product-specific Spark quotas | Free projects can pause after inactivity |
BaaS
Spark includes 1 GiB Firestore and 10 GB Hosting; Cloud Storage and Cloud Functions require Blaze billing
Paid from Pay as you go
- 1 GiB Firestore storage
- 50,000 Firestore reads/day
- 10 GB Hosting storage and transfer/month
- Tight client SDKs for web, iOS and Android
- Realtime sync with Firestore and Realtime Database
- NoSQL data model can constrain complex queries
Best for
- Mobile and web apps that need realtime sync
- Rapid prototypes and MVPs
BaaS
500 MB database, 1 GB file storage, 5 GB egress plus 5 GB cached egress
Paid from $25/month
- 500MB database space
- 1GB file storage
- 5 GB egress plus 5 GB cached egress
- Real PostgreSQL with full SQL and extensions
- Auth, storage, realtime and auto-generated APIs out of the box
- Free projects can be paused after inactivity
Best for
- Web and mobile apps needing auth plus a relational database
- Realtime features such as chat, presence and live updates
The catch?
Firebase
- No catch
Supabase
- Pauses when idle
- Suspends at the limit
Detailed comparison
| Firebase | Supabase | |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier & pricing | ||
| Free tier ↑ better | Perpetual ★ | Perpetual (pauses) ★ |
| Paid from ↓ better | Pay-as-you-go | $25/mo |
| Regions ↑ better | Multi-region ★ | Multi-region ★ |
| BaaS | ||
| Database size ↑ better | 1 GB ★ | 500 MB |
| Monthly active users ↑ better | Unlimited ★ | 50,000 MAU |
| File storage ↑ better | Requires Blaze | 1 GB |
FAQ
It overlaps in auth, database, storage, realtime and functions, but PostgreSQL is not Firestore. Queries, security rules and client code usually need redesign.
Firebase has exceptionally mature mobile SDKs. Supabase is attractive when the mobile app needs relational data or the team already knows SQL.
Supabase's PostgreSQL foundation generally offers more standard data tooling, though integrated auth, storage and realtime still create migration work.