This post is maintained by Bytebase, an open-source database DevSecOps tool which supports Supabase. We update the post every year.
| Update History | Comment |
|---|---|
| 2025/04/19 | Initial version. |
Introduction
Supabase and Firebase are two leading Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platforms that enable developers to build applications without handling backend infrastructure. While they serve similar purposes, they take fundamentally different approaches.
Firebase began in 2011 as a real-time NoSQL database and was acquired by Google in 2014. Since then, it has evolved into a comprehensive, fully-managed backend platform deeply integrated with the Google ecosystem.
Supabase, launched in 2020, emerged as an open-source alternative to Firebase. It’s built on PostgreSQL, offering a relational model with SQL support, and can be self-hosted for greater control and transparency.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Supabase | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Open-source, standards-based | Proprietary, fully-managed |
| Database Type | PostgreSQL (Relational) | Firestore (NoSQL) & Realtime Database (NoSQL) |
| Data Model | Relational with tables, schemas, and SQL | Document-based with collections and documents |
| Query Capabilities | Full SQL support with joins, complex queries | Limited query options, no native joins |
| Authentication | Email/password, social, phone, MFA | Email/password, social, phone, MFA, anonymous |
| Real-time | PostgreSQL logical replication | Purpose-built real-time infrastructure |
| Offline Support | Basic, still evolving | Comprehensive, mature |
| Functions | Edge Functions (Deno) | Cloud Functions (Node.js, Python, Go, etc.) |
| Storage | S3-compatible with RLS | Google Cloud Storage with Security Rules |
| AI/ML | Vector database for embeddings, OpenAI/Hugging Face integrations, RAG support | Firebase Studio, Genkit, Gemini API integration, Vertex AI |
| Pricing Model | Predictable tiered pricing | Usage-based, pay-as-you-go |
| Self-hosting | Available | Not available |
| Best For | Data-intensive apps, SQL expertise, complex relationships | Mobile apps, real-time features, rapid prototyping |
Core Philosophy and Approach
Supabase embraces open-source technologies and standards, with PostgreSQL at its core. It provides direct SQL access and follows relational database principles, emphasizing data portability and avoiding vendor lock-in.
Firebase takes a proprietary, fully-managed approach focused on developer experience and seamless integration. It abstracts away infrastructure complexities with NoSQL databases optimized for real-time synchronization and mobile use cases.
Database Capabilities
Supabase leverages PostgreSQL's powerful relational capabilities:
- Strong data consistency with full ACID compliance
- Support for complex queries, including joins and multi-step transactions
- Rich data types and advanced indexing for performance tuning
- Native support for stored procedures and triggers
Firebase offers two NoSQL database options:
- Firestore: A document-based database using collections and documents
- Realtime Database: A lightweight JSON tree structure optimized for real-time data synchronization
Supabase excels in complex data relationships and advanced querying, while Firebase prioritizes real-time synchronization and automatic scaling.
Authentication and Security
Both platforms offer comprehensive authentication with email/password, social logins, and multi-factor authentication.
Supabase:
- Built on PostgreSQL Row Level Security (RLS).
- Access control is enforced through SQL-based policies, allowing fine-grained, table-level permissions.
- Offers flexibility and transparency, ideal for SQL-savvy teams.
Firebase:
- Uses Firebase Security Rules, written in a JavaScript-like syntax.
- Rules are service-specific (e.g., Firestore, Storage), enabling dynamic access control based on user roles and request context.
- Tight integration with Google services makes setup straightforward, especially for front-end developers.
Supabase provides database-native security controls ideal for complex permission schemes, while Firebase offers service-specific rules that are easier to implement for common scenarios. Supabase's SQL-based RLS gives more granular database control, whereas Firebase rules are more approachable for developers without SQL experience.
Real-time and Offline Capabilities
Firebase offers battle-tested real-time features with:
- Automatic data synchronization across clients
- Built-in offline support with local persistence
- Automatic conflict resolution and smooth reconnection handling
Supabase Realtime is powered by PostgreSQL logical replication and Phoenix Channels:
- Enables database change subscriptions, including INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE events
- Supports presence tracking for multiplayer or collaborative use cases
Firebase leads in offline resilience and real-time maturity, while Supabase offers powerful server-driven change tracking with a relational foundation, best suited for applications needing strong data consistency.
Serverless Functions
Supabase Edge Functions are built on the Deno runtime, supporting TypeScript and JavaScript, and are designed to run at the edge for low-latency performance. These functions have direct access to the Supabase PostgreSQL database, making them ideal for lightweight APIs and custom logic tightly coupled with the database.
Firebase Cloud Functions support multiple runtimes, including Node.js, Python, and Go, and can be triggered by a wide range of events — such as HTTP requests, Firestore updates, authentication events, and Pub/Sub messages. They are deeply integrated with Google Cloud Platform for scalability and flexibility.
Supabase Edge Functions are lightweight, TypeScript-native, and database-aware, while Firebase Cloud Functions provide broad language support, rich trigger options, and tight integration with the wider Google Cloud ecosystem.
AI and Machine Learning
Firebase offers a comprehensive, cloud-based AI development ecosystem:
- Firebase Studio: Cloud development environment for AI apps with Gemini integration.
- Genkit: Open-source framework for building AI features with generative models.
- Vertex AI Integration: Direct access to Google's Gemini models for text, image, video, and audio.
- AI-assisted Development: Gemini assistance for coding and app development.
Supabase takes a database-centric approach to AI:
- Vector Database (pgvector): PostgreSQL extension for vector similarity search.
- AI Toolkit: Tools for storing, indexing, and querying vector embeddings.
- Semantic Search: Built-in capabilities for meaning-based search.
- AI Integrations: Support for OpenAI, Hugging Face, LangChain, and other providers.
Firebase excels with its fully integrated AI development environment and seamless access to Google's advanced models. Supabase shines by offering flexible, database-native AI capabilities built on PostgreSQL, ideal for developers who want tight control over their AI data infrastructure.
Pricing Models
| Supabase (Predictable Tiered Pricing) | Firebase (Usage-Based, à la Carte Pricing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Generous limits | Daily/monthly quotas |
| Paid Plans | Pro plan ($25/month), plus Team and Enterprise options | Blaze plan (pay-per-operation), integrated with Google Cloud billing |
| Cost Structure | Fixed, predictable pricing | Variable, pay-as-you-go per usage |
| Scalability | Better for growing teams needing cost predictability | May be cheaper for small apps, but expensive as usage scales |
| Analogy | Fixed-price buffet: predictable and straightforward | À la carte menu: flexible but potentially unpredictable costs |
Performance and Reliability
Firebase
- Built on Google's global infrastructure
- Automatic scaling with minimal configuration
- Multi-region replication ensures high availability and low latency
- Optimized for real-time data synchronization and global distribution
- Ideal for apps needing instant updates and seamless scalability
Supabase
- Hosted on AWS with support for multiple regions
- Offers read replicas for scaling read-heavy workloads
- Requires manual performance tuning for high-traffic or complex queries
- Capable of strong performance, especially for relational workloads
- More control and flexibility, but with added configuration overhead
Firebase offers "set-and-forget" performance at global scale, while Supabase provides more control for database tuning at the cost of manual optimization. Firebase handles traffic spikes automatically, whereas Supabase requires planning for high-load scenarios but can achieve better PostgreSQL-specific performance.
Conclusion
Choose Supabase for SQL-powered apps needing PostgreSQL flexibility, open-source control, or AI vector support. Opt for Firebase if you prioritize real-time mobile apps, rapid prototyping, and Google's ecosystem. Supabase offers deeper database control; Firebase delivers effortless scaling and real-time sync.
