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Supabase

A hosted Postgres backend that bundles authentication, file storage, realtime, and edge functions behind one dashboard.

$25/mo (Pro)Free tier
Visit SupabaseSee all databases & backend-as-a-service

What it actually does

Supabase gives you a real PostgreSQL database with a web dashboard, plus the surrounding services most apps need: user authentication, file storage, realtime subscriptions, auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs, and serverless edge functions. You write standard SQL and use Postgres extensions and row-level security, so there is no proprietary query language to learn.

For a solo founder the appeal is one bill instead of stitching together a separate auth provider, a file host, and a database. You start on the free tier while validating, then move to the $25/mo Pro plan when you have real users, which covers 100K monthly active users and 8 GB of database.

The main watch-outs are that free-tier projects pause after 7 days of inactivity until you manually restore them, and the Pro plan bundles only a $10 compute credit, so every extra always-on project adds at least $10/mo in compute.

Supabase vs its main rivals

The tools people actually weigh against Supabase: Firebase, Appwrite, Nhost. Same criteria for every column, including where Supabase loses.

Supabase logoSupabaseFirebase logoFirebaseAppwrite logoAppwriteNhost logoNhost
Pricing & access
Free tierUnknown500 MB DBUnknown1 GiB, no pauseUnknown2 GB storageUnknownYes
Starting price$25/mo$0 PAYG$25/mo$25/mo
Free tier stays live when idleNoPauses 7dYesYesYesYesNoPauses
Database engine
Postgres / relational SQLYesPostgresNoNoSQLNoDocumentYesPostgres
Row-level securityYesYesUnknownRulesYesPermissionsYesYes
Bundled services
Built-in authFreeFreeFreeFree
File storageYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Realtime subscriptionsYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Developer & API
Auto-generated APIREST+GraphQLSDKRESTGraphQL
CLIFreeFreeFreeFree
Portability
Self-host / open sourceYesYesNoNoYesYesYesYes
Worth it for
  • Bundles Postgres, auth, storage, realtime, and functions in one bill, so you skip paying for a separate auth or storage service
  • Pro at $25/mo covers 100K monthly active users and 8 GB database, enough to carry most indie apps past first revenue
  • Standard Postgres with full SQL, extensions, and row-level security, so no proprietary query language to migrate off later
Watch out for
  • Free-tier projects pause after 7 days of inactivity, so a quiet side project goes offline until you manually restore it
  • The $25 Pro plan includes only a $10 compute credit; each extra always-on project adds at least $10/mo
  • The next tier above Pro is Team at $599/mo, a steep jump with nothing in between

Pay less for it

5 ways found
Free tier for validation

Run entirely free while pre-revenue; the pause after 7 days idle only matters once you have live traffic

Keep the spend cap on

The Pro spend cap is on by default and stops overage charges rather than letting the bill run

One project, not many

Each extra active project adds at least $10/mo compute, so consolidate staging into branches where possible

Self-host the open-source stack

Supabase is open source and can run on your own VPS for the cost of the server if you want to avoid Pro entirely

Cheaper swap

Neon — If you only need Postgres and not the bundled auth/storage, Neon's scale-to-zero can run $0 to $10/mo instead of a flat $25

See this for your whole stack, with your real numbers

StackTracker tracks what you actually pay for Supabase and every other tool, flags overpayment, and shows the dollars you would save by switching.

See plans

Is it the right tool for you

Pick it if
  • You want auth, storage, and Postgres from one product and expect to reach paying users on the $25 plan
  • You value standard SQL and row-level security over a proprietary data model
  • You may later self-host, and want an exit path off the managed service
Skip it if
  • Your app is idle most of the day and you only need the database → use Neon
  • You are mobile-first and want a true $0 idle cost with offline SDKs → use Firebase

Track what Supabase and the rest of your stack cost

StackTracker adds up every subscription, plus your hours, so you see the real number.

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Prices and limits last verified 2026-07-20.