---
title: "Best Firebase Alternatives in 2026: 8 Backends Compared | Superapp"
description: "8 Firebase alternatives compared on free limits, pricing, SQL and self-hosting: Supabase, Appwrite, Convex, PocketBase, Neon, Nhost, Xano and app builders."
image: https://superapp.dev/superapp-logo.png
canonical_url: https://superapp.dev/blog/best-firebase-alternatives
md_url: https://superapp.dev/blog/best-firebase-alternatives.md
---
## Best Firebase Alternatives: The Short Answer

Supabase is the best Firebase alternative for most teams, because it gives you Postgres, auth, storage and realtime with predictable plan pricing and an open-source stack. Appwrite is the closest Firebase-style platform you can self-host, Convex is best for realtime TypeScript apps, PocketBase suits small self-hosted apps, Neon suits teams that only want Postgres, Nhost suits GraphQL and Xano suits no-code front ends. If you have not built the app yet, Superapp builds it with a managed backend included.

> Quick answer: Supabase is the most common swap, and Appwrite is the closest open-source Firebase-style platform. If you were choosing a backend for an app you have not built, Superapp builds native Swift apps and React web apps with managed cloud services included, so there is no backend to wire. As a disclosure, Superapp is our product, so weigh this accordingly. Its limits: it is not a standalone backend for an existing codebase, it has no Android yet, and credits run out.

Prices were checked on the vendors' own pages in November 2026 unless a row says otherwise.

## What Does Firebase Cost?

Firebase has two plans, per [Firebase pricing](https://firebase.google.com/pricing) on November 10, 2026:

| Item | Spark (free) | Blaze (pay as you go) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Firestore | 1 GiB stored, 50,000 reads and 20,000 writes a day | Same free quota, then Google Cloud rates |
| Authentication | 50,000 MAUs | Same, then billed |
| Hosting | 10 GB storage, 360 MB a day transfer | Then $0.026 per GB stored, $0.15 per GB transferred |
| Cloud Functions | Not available | 2M invocations a month free, then $0.40 per million |

Firebase notes that "No-cost usage quotas apply at the project-level". Eligible Blaze users may get $300 in Google Cloud credit.

## Why Do People Look for a Firebase Alternative?

- Unpredictable bills. Blaze charges by reads, writes and transfer, so a busy month or a bad query can cost far more than planned.
- Functions need Blaze. Server code requires the pay-as-you-go plan.
- NoSQL limits. Firestore's document model makes joins and reporting harder than SQL.
- Lock-in. Firebase runs only on Google's cloud and cannot be self-hosted.
- Not wanting a backend at all. Many founders only need one because they are building an app.

## The 8 Best Firebase Alternatives at a Glance

| Backend | Best for | Entry paid price | Open source or self-host | Database |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Supabase | SQL apps with predictable plans | $25 a month (Pro) | Yes, open source | Postgres |
| Appwrite | A self-hostable all-in-one backend | Pro, usage based | Yes, BSD 3-Clause | Appwrite databases |
| Convex | Live-updating TypeScript data | $25 per developer a month | No | Convex document store |
| PocketBase | Small self-hosted apps | Free, plus hosting | Yes, MIT | SQLite |
| Neon | Serverless Postgres | Usage based | Managed service | Postgres |
| Nhost | GraphQL on Postgres | $25 a month (Pro) | Self-hosted option | Postgres |
| Xano | No-code APIs | $85 a month annual | No | Xano database |
| Superapp | An app with a managed backend included | $25 a month (Pro) | No | Managed cloud services |

## How Did We Compare the Firebase Alternatives?

We compared every Firebase alternative on six questions, using each vendor's own pricing and docs checked on November 10, 2026:

1. What database does it use: Postgres, a document store or something else?
2. What does the free plan include, and what are its catches?
3. How is paid usage billed: a flat plan, per developer or pay as you go?
4. Can you self-host or leave easily?
5. Which app services come with it: auth, storage, functions, realtime?
6. What do its own pages warn about?

Rankings are our editorial judgment for the team each backend suits best. We include one app builder for founders who only need a backend because they are building an app.

## The 8 Best Firebase Alternatives, Reviewed

### 1. Supabase: Best Overall Alternative

Supabase is an open-source Postgres backend with auth, storage, edge functions and realtime. Free includes 500 MB of database per project and 50,000 monthly active users, but free projects pause after a week of inactivity and you get 2 active projects; Pro starts at $25 a month with 8 GB of disk and 100,000 MAUs, and Team at $599, per [Supabase pricing](https://supabase.com/pricing).

In its own words: "Every project is a full Postgres database, the world's most trusted relational database." ([source](https://supabase.com/)) "Add Authentication, Data APIs, Edge Functions, Realtime Data, Storage, and Vector embeddings." ([source](https://supabase.com/))

Compared with Firebase: Postgres with plan-based pricing and an open-source stack.

- Price: Free; Pro from $25 a month
- Best for: SQL-first apps that want Postgres
- Pitfall: Free projects pause after a week idle
- Not for: Teams that want a document database

### 2. Appwrite: Closest Firebase Style Platform You Can Self Host

Appwrite is an open-source backend with auth, databases, storage, functions and messaging, licensed under BSD 3-Clause with about 57,000 GitHub stars, and it self-hosts with Docker, per its [repository](https://github.com/appwrite/appwrite). On Appwrite Cloud, free projects freeze into read-only mode at their limits, while Pro keeps running and bills overage with a budget cap, per [Appwrite pricing](https://appwrite.io/pricing).

In its own words: "Appwrite is an open-source developer platform with Auth, Databases, Storage, Functions, Messaging, and Sites." ([source](https://appwrite.io/))

Compared with Firebase: the closest Firebase-style platform you can self-host.

- Price: Free cloud plan; self-hosting free
- Best for: Teams that want Firebase-style services they can self-host
- Pitfall: Cloud plan prices not shown on its page when we checked
- Not for: Teams that need raw Postgres

### 3. Convex: Best for Realtime TypeScript Apps

Convex is a reactive backend where queries and functions are written in TypeScript and the client updates live. Free and Starter is $0 with pay as you go, including 1 million function calls and 0.5 GB of database storage; Professional is $25 per developer a month, per [Convex pricing](https://www.convex.dev/pricing).

In its own words: "Database, functions, workflow, sync, search, file storage, and more." ([source](https://www.convex.dev/)) "All TypeScript, zero glue." ([source](https://www.convex.dev/))

Compared with Firebase: realtime TypeScript without managing sync.

- Price: Free; Professional $25 per developer a month
- Best for: TypeScript apps that need realtime by default
- Pitfall: A different model from SQL
- Not for: Teams that want plain Postgres

### 4. PocketBase: Best Single File Self Hosted Backend

PocketBase is an "Open Source realtime backend in 1 file", MIT licensed with about 61,600 GitHub stars. You run a single binary with a database, auth and file storage. Its [README](https://github.com/pocketbase/pocketbase) warns it "is still under active development and therefore full backward compatibility is not guaranteed" before version 1.0.

In its own words: "Open Source backend in 1 file" ([source](https://pocketbase.io/)) "Safely store files locally or in a S3 storage." ([source](https://pocketbase.io/))

Compared with Firebase: one file you host yourself.

- Price: Free; you pay for hosting
- Best for: Small apps and prototypes you host yourself
- Pitfall: Pre-1.0, so upgrades can break things
- Not for: Large production systems

### 5. Neon: Best for Postgres With Branching

Neon is serverless Postgres with branching. Its Free plan is "permanent (not a trial)", with 100 projects, 100 compute-hours per project, 1 GB of storage per project, auth up to 60,000 MAUs, 5 GB of object storage and functions; Launch and Scale bill by usage, at $0.106 and $0.222 per compute-hour, per [Neon pricing](https://neon.com/pricing).

In its own words: "Serverless, branchable, scale-to-zero, and works with any language, framework, or ORM that speaks Postgres." ([source](https://neon.com/))

Compared with Firebase: serverless Postgres with branching.

- Price: Free; usage-based paid plans
- Best for: Postgres with branching for each environment
- Pitfall: You assemble the rest of the backend
- Not for: People who want an all-in-one platform

### 6. Nhost: Best for GraphQL

Nhost is a Postgres and GraphQL backend with auth and storage. Starter is free with 1 project that pauses after a week of inactivity and a 1 GB database; Pro starts at $25 a month with a 10 GB database and unlimited projects, per [Nhost pricing](https://nhost.io/pricing).

In its own words: "Nhost is a managed backend platform with Postgres, GraphQL, Auth, Storage, and serverless Functions." ([source](https://nhost.io/)) "Run the entire Nhost stack locally with a single command." ([source](https://nhost.io/))

Compared with Firebase: Postgres and GraphQL with auth and storage.

- Price: Free; Pro from $25 a month
- Best for: GraphQL-first apps
- Pitfall: Free project pauses when idle
- Not for: Teams that do not want GraphQL

### 7. Xano: Best No Code Backend

Xano is a no-code backend for building APIs and databases visually, popular with front-end builders like WeWeb and FlutterFlow. Free includes 100,000 records and a 10-requests-per-20-seconds limit; Essential is $85 a month billed annually and Pro $224, per [Xano pricing](https://www.xano.com/pricing/).

In its own words: "Connect any front end (React, Next.js, mobile, or a site an agent built) or host static files on Xano." ([source](https://www.xano.com/))

Compared with Firebase: no-code APIs for visual builders.

- Price: Free; Essential $85 a month billed annually
- Best for: No-code builders who need a real API
- Pitfall: Expensive compared with code-first backends
- Not for: Developers comfortable writing a backend

### 8. Superapp: Best if You Have Not Built the App Yet

Superapp is not a standalone backend. It builds the whole app, and the [web app builder page](https://superapp.dev/web-app-builder) says Superapp "offers managed cloud services" with "backend and authentication workflows" for the apps it creates, so you do not choose, configure or wire a database yourself. It writes native Swift apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, or React web apps, and can put an iOS app and a web app on one shared backend.

On the Max plan, Selfdrive then markets the finished product, web app or iOS app, through SEO, content, creator campaigns and, for App Store apps, Apple Ads and App Store optimization.

That makes it an alternative only if you were picking a backend for an app you have not built yet. If you have an existing codebase, choose one of the backends on this list. Superapp has no Android output yet, and building and revising spend credits; Pro is $25 a month.

In its own words: "AI that builds your iOS or web app and runs your marketing while you sleep." ([source](https://superapp.dev/)) "Superapp generates real, production-ready Swift as a standard Xcode project you own and can export anytime, with no lock-in." ([source](https://superapp.dev/features))

Compared with Firebase: you never set up a backend: it builds the iOS or web app with managed cloud services, and Selfdrive markets it.

- Price: Free credits to start in most countries; Pro $25 a month (50 credits, App Store publishing); Max $100 a month adds the marketing agent
- Best for: Founders who want the app built, backend included
- Pitfall: Not a backend for an existing codebase
- Not for: Developers with their own app code

## What Does Each Firebase Alternative Say About Itself?

Marketing copy is not proof, but a vendor's own one-line pitch shows what it is built to do. Each line below is copied verbatim from the vendor's site on November 10, 2026.

| Tool (Superapp listed first where ranked first) | In its own words | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supabase | "Every project is a full Postgres database, the world's most trusted relational database." | [Supabase](https://supabase.com/) |
| Appwrite | "Appwrite is an open-source developer platform with Auth, Databases, Storage, Functions, Messaging, and Sites." | [Appwrite](https://appwrite.io/) |
| Convex | "Database, functions, workflow, sync, search, file storage, and more." | [Convex](https://www.convex.dev/) |
| PocketBase | "Open Source backend in 1 file" | [PocketBase](https://pocketbase.io/) |
| Neon | "Serverless, branchable, scale-to-zero, and works with any language, framework, or ORM that speaks Postgres." | [Neon](https://neon.com/) |
| Nhost | "Nhost is a managed backend platform with Postgres, GraphQL, Auth, Storage, and serverless Functions." | [Nhost](https://nhost.io/) |
| Xano | "Connect any front end (React, Next.js, mobile, or a site an agent built) or host static files on Xano." | [Xano](https://www.xano.com/) |
| Superapp | "AI that builds your iOS or web app and runs your marketing while you sleep." | [Superapp](https://superapp.dev/) |

## Scorecard: How the Firebase Alternatives Compare

Our editorial ratings (High, Medium or Low) for the reader each tool suits, based on the facts in this article. They are judgments, not measured scores.

| Tool | Ease of setup | Free tier | Cost predictability | Portability |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Supabase | High | High | High | High |
| Appwrite | Medium | Medium | Medium | High |
| Convex | Medium | High | Medium | Low |
| PocketBase | Medium | High | High | High |
| Neon | Medium | High | Medium | High |
| Nhost | Medium | Medium | High | Medium |
| Xano | High | Low | Medium | Low |
| Superapp | High | Medium | High | Low |

## Firebase vs Supabase

| Feature | Firebase | Supabase |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Database | Firestore, a document database | Postgres, a SQL database |
| Free plan | Spark, no Cloud Functions | 500 MB database, pauses after a week idle |
| Paid pricing | Pay as you go (Blaze) | From $25 a month (Pro) |
| Self-hosting | No | Yes, open source |
| Auth free tier | 50,000 MAUs | 50,000 MAUs |

Choose Firebase for deep Google and mobile SDK integration; choose Supabase for SQL, predictable plans and portability.

## Which Firebase Alternative Fits You?

| If you need | Pick |
| --- | --- |
| SQL with predictable pricing | Supabase |
| A Firebase-style platform you can self-host | Appwrite |
| Realtime TypeScript without managing sync | Convex |
| One binary for a small app | PocketBase |
| Just Postgres, with branches | Neon |
| GraphQL | Nhost |
| A backend for a no-code front end | Xano |
| The whole app, backend included | Superapp |

## What Does Firebase Still Do Best?

Firebase's mobile SDKs, offline sync in Firestore, Crashlytics, Cloud Messaging and Analytics work together in a way few alternatives match, and the free Spark plan is generous for prototypes. For a mobile team already on Google Cloud, staying is often simpler than migrating.

## What Does Each Backend Cost at Small Scale?

Our own reading of each entry paid plan, before usage overages.

| Backend | Entry paid plan | What is included |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Firebase (baseline) | Blaze, pay as you go | Spark quotas free, then usage |
| Supabase | Pro from $25 a month | 8 GB disk, 100,000 MAUs |
| Appwrite | Pro, usage based | Overage with a budget cap |
| Convex | Professional $25 per developer | Higher limits |
| PocketBase | Free | Your hosting |
| Neon | Launch, usage based | $0.106 per compute-hour |
| Nhost | Pro from $25 a month | 10 GB database |
| Xano | Essential $85 a month billed annually | 10 GB database |
| Superapp | Pro $25 a month | The app and its managed backend |

## Which Firebase Alternative Fits Each Kind of User?

| If you are (Superapp row first where it fits) | Pick | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A team that wants SQL | Supabase | Postgres and predictable plans |
| A team that must self-host | Appwrite | Open source |
| A TypeScript team | Convex | Reactive backend |
| An indie hacker | PocketBase | One file |
| A GraphQL team | Nhost | GraphQL on Postgres |
| A founder without an app yet | Superapp | Backend included |

## Where Does Superapp Fit?

Superapp does two jobs most tools on this list split across separate products. First it builds: a website, a React web app with sign-in and a managed cloud backend, or a native Swift app for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, from a plain-English description. Its features page says "Superapp builds native apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Vision Pro from one project," and that the output is "a standard Xcode project you own and can export anytime, with no lock-in."

Then it markets. On the $100 Max plan, Selfdrive runs growth after launch, and it now markets web apps as well as iOS apps. The [Selfdrive page](https://superapp.dev/selfdrive) says "It coordinates Apple Search Ads, App Store optimization, a website and SEO, and UGC creator campaigns," and that it "Works with apps made in Superapp and outside of it." For a web app, the relevant channels are the website, SEO, content and creator campaigns; Apple Ads and App Store optimization apply to App Store apps.

| What you need (Superapp listed first) | Superapp | Typical Firebase setup |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A website | Included on Pro | Yes |
| A web app with logins and data | Yes, React with a managed backend | Usually a separate tool |
| A native iOS app | Yes, native Swift, App Store publishing on a paid plan | Usually a separate tool |
| SEO and content after launch | Selfdrive on Max, for web apps and iOS apps | You do it yourself or hire help |
| Creator (UGC) campaigns | Selfdrive on Max | Separate agency or platform |
| Apple Ads and App Store optimization | Selfdrive on Max, for App Store apps | Separate tools |

The honest limits: Superapp has no Android output yet, it does not build online stores, credits run out on heavy builds, ad spend and creator fees are paid separately, and Selfdrive is new, so judge it on your own numbers.

## What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Leaving Firebase?

1. Leaving Firebase before checking which Blaze costs come from inefficient queries.
2. Forgetting Crashlytics, Analytics or Cloud Messaging when moving only the database.
3. Choosing a database model by habit. Decide between SQL and documents based on your queries, not the brand.
4. Ignoring free-tier pausing or freezing. Demo projects that pause look broken to users.
5. Not setting budget alerts on pay-as-you-go plans.
6. Leaving security rules or row-level policies at defaults.
7. Migrating auth last. User accounts are the hardest part to move; plan it first.
8. Building a custom backend for an app you have not validated. An all-in-one builder can get you to users faster.

## Checklist Before You Switch From Firebase

- Export your schema and data.
- List every auth provider and user field you rely on.
- Map storage buckets and file paths.
- Rewrite server functions for the new runtime.
- Recreate security rules or row-level policies.
- Run both backends in parallel during the cutover.
- Set budget alerts before going live.

## Glossary

| Term (as used for Superapp and its alternatives) | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| Postgres | An open-source SQL database used by Supabase, Neon and Nhost. |
| Document database | A database that stores JSON-like documents, such as Firestore. |
| MAU | Monthly active users, a common billing unit for auth. |
| Row-level security | Database rules that decide which rows each user can read or write. |
| Edge function | Server code that runs close to users without managing servers. |
| Self-hosting | Running the backend software on your own servers. |
| Selfdrive | Superapp's marketing agent on the Max plan, which markets web apps and iOS apps after launch. |

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What is the best Firebase alternative in 2026?**

Supabase for most teams, Appwrite for a self-hostable Firebase-style platform and Convex for realtime TypeScript apps.

**What is the best open source Firebase alternative?**

Supabase and Appwrite, with PocketBase for small apps.

**Is Supabase better than Firebase?**

Supabase is better for SQL, predictable plan pricing and self-hosting. Firebase is better integrated with Google services and mobile SDKs.

**Is Firebase free?**

The Spark plan is free with limits, such as 50,000 Firestore reads a day, but Cloud Functions need the Blaze pay-as-you-go plan.

**Why is my Firebase bill so high?**

Blaze charges by reads, writes, storage and transfer beyond the free quotas, so frequent queries or large downloads add up.

**Can I self-host a Firebase alternative?**

Yes. Supabase and Appwrite can be self-hosted, and PocketBase runs as a single file.

**What is the best Firebase alternative for Flutter or iOS?**

Supabase and Appwrite both offer Flutter and Swift SDKs. For an iOS app built without code, Superapp includes its own managed backend.

**Is there a SQL alternative to Firestore?**

Supabase, Neon and Nhost all run on Postgres.

**Do I need a backend to build an app?**

Most apps with accounts or saved data do. Superapp includes managed cloud services for the apps it builds, so you do not set one up yourself.

**What is Firebase?**

Google describes it as designed for the complete app development lifecycle and backed by Google.

**Is Appwrite open source?**

Yes. Appwrite says it is an open-source developer platform with auth, databases, storage, functions, messaging and sites.

**Does Supabase have realtime like Firestore?**

Yes. Supabase lists realtime data among its features.

**Is Convex cheaper than Firebase?**

Convex's free plan includes 1 million function calls; Professional is $25 per developer a month, which is easier to predict than Blaze.

**Can I move Firebase Auth users?**

Yes, but plan it first; user accounts are the hardest part of any backend migration.

## References

- [Firebase: Pricing](https://firebase.google.com/pricing)
- [Supabase: Pricing](https://supabase.com/pricing)
- [Appwrite: Pricing](https://appwrite.io/pricing)
- [Appwrite: GitHub repository](https://github.com/appwrite/appwrite)
- [Convex: Pricing](https://www.convex.dev/pricing)
- [PocketBase: GitHub repository](https://github.com/pocketbase/pocketbase)
- [Neon: Pricing](https://neon.com/pricing)
- [Nhost: Pricing](https://nhost.io/pricing)
- [Xano: Pricing](https://www.xano.com/pricing/)
- [Superapp: Pricing](https://superapp.dev/pricing)
- [Superapp: Web app builder](https://superapp.dev/web-app-builder)
- [Superapp: Selfdrive](https://superapp.dev/selfdrive)
- [Superapp: Best Supabase alternatives](https://superapp.dev/blog/best-supabase-alternatives)
- [Superapp: Database builder](https://superapp.dev/database-builder)
- [Supabase: Homepage](https://supabase.com/)
- [Appwrite: Homepage](https://appwrite.io/)
- [Convex: Homepage](https://www.convex.dev/)
- [PocketBase: Homepage](https://pocketbase.io/)
- [Neon: Homepage](https://neon.com/)
- [Nhost: Homepage](https://nhost.io/)
- [Xano: Homepage](https://www.xano.com/)
- [Superapp: Homepage](https://superapp.dev/)
- [Superapp: Product page](https://superapp.dev/features)

## Keep reading

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Nov 10, 2026](https://superapp.dev/blog/best-carrd-alternatives) [Best Claude Alternatives in 2026: 10 AI Assistants Compared

Nov 10, 2026](https://superapp.dev/blog/best-claude-alternatives) [Best Codex Alternatives in 2026: 10 AI Coding Tools Compared

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## Build iOS or web apps with AI

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Already have an app? Superapp can get you users with Marketing AI. [Learn more](https://superapp.dev/selfdrive)