Supabase is a low-code backend-as-a-service. Its versatility makes Supabase a great 😉 alternative to Google's Firebase. It is aimed at web and mobile developers who want to connect a scalable backend without having to familiarize themselves too deeply with the subject matter or program.
What does Supabase offer?
Supabase is a serverless backend service that provides developers with a collection of modern tools for rapid backend development. The core functions include a PostgreSQL database, authentication, data storage, vector database and edge functions. As an open source platform with a relational database, Supabase stands out from Firebase thanks to its strong community as well as its low-code and open source approach.
Functions of Supabase
Database
Supabase' database is a PostgreSQL database - one of the best database solutions on the market. Thanks to Supabase's intuitive interface, you can operate your database without SQL. If you prefer to work with SQL commands, you can also edit the same database using an editor provided for this purpose.
Supabase also offers support for many extensions as well as branching, read replicas, row level security, automatic backups and an API construction kit with various libraries.
Supabase also offers a vector database. These are particularly suitable for AI applications. Search and filter operations with vectors work differently to SQL databases. In this case, for example, similarities are searched for rather than exact matches. This allows it to find other data that "feels" similar at lightning speed - such as texts with a similar meaning or images that look similar.
Authentication
Supabase offers an integrated system for user management including various login options: Magic Link, email, phone number, SSO and social logins. There are pre-built UI components for React and helper functions for other frameworks. Supabase also supports email templates, multi-factor authentication and CAPTCHA.
Every Supabase project therefore has a complete user management system that works without additional tools.
Memory functions
In addition to the database, Supabase also offers the option of storing files (e.g. images or videos) in all sizes. Here too, you can benefit from row level security and only give authorized persons access to certain files.
Edge Functions
Edge functions execute server-side logic in geographical proximity to you as the user. This proximity reduces latency times, which leads to better performance of your app.
Real-time functions
Supabase's real-time function makes it possible to receive changes in a PostgreSQL database in real time. It uses so-called WebSockets to immediately transmit data changes to all connected clients without the need for an additional query. This function is particularly useful for applications such as chat apps or live dashboards that need to react immediately to changes.
What is Firebase?
Firebase is a development platform from Google which, like Supabase, also offers a collection of tools and services for the creation and management of web and mobile apps. However, Firebase's range of functions is somewhat broader than that of Supabase. In addition to a database, authentication and cloud storage, Firebase offers advanced security features as well as analytics and cloud functions. The biggest difference, however, is that Firebase is not an open source solution compared to Supabase. More on this later.
The functions of Firebase
Authentication
Firebase offers a variety of login methods for your app. These include email/password, phone number, as well as logins via Google, Apple, GitHub, Microsoft and social logins. You can also use multi-factor authentication (MFA). However, it also allows users to use the app without logging in immediately. This is ideal for initial user experience.
Compared to Supabase, Firebase does not offer a row-level security (RLS) option, but takes a role-based approach when it comes to access authorizations to data. Role-based security is easier to set up and manage, but less granularly adjustable than RLS.
Database
Firebase was long known as a pure NoSQL solution. However, they now offer both a NoSQL and an SQL database option. This choice is practical because, depending on your use case, either an SQL or a NoSQL database may be the right option for you.
To understand
SQL databases are a series of strictly organized tables: You define the schema in advance, can link relationships between them and get reliable and consistent transactions.
An SQL database is great for a project management app, for example. There you have relationships between projects → goals → tasks etc. and you can flexibly execute queries between them, e.g. "All goals of project X between 30.04.25 and 31.05.25."
NoSQL databases are more like large boxes of documents: You can keep adding new properties to a document over time without having to rebuild the database structure.
A NoSQL database is ideal for a chat app. Each message is created as a separate document. It contains the corresponding fields (chatId, sender, content, etc.). If, for example, new emojis are added, you can simply add this property to the document.
🦾 By the way: We have built a database assistant as a GPT for exactly such cases. You can pitch your ideas to it and receive two well-founded recommendations at the end! Click here for the GPT.
Firebase also offers a vector database for AI applications.
App Check
Firebase App Check is a security function to protect your app from misuse. It ensures that only authentic instances (e.g. authenticated users) of your app can access Firebase services.
Supabase has no direct counterpart that focuses specifically on protection against malicious software and misuse at app level.
Memory functions
Firebase also offers scalable storage for many files of all sizes. However, Firebase's variant is based on Google Cloud Storage (GCS), while Supabase is based on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Both offer high performance and scalability. However, GCS is easier to integrate with other Google Cloud services.
Real-time functions
Like Supabase, Firebase also enables bidirectional real-time synchronization of data. This means that changes to the data are immediately transmitted to all connected clients. So if a user changes data (e.g. a WhatsApp message), these changes are automatically passed on to all other users who are tracking the same data.
Comparison of other aspects - prices, data protection, transparency
Pricing
Supabase also has an Enterprise plan in which most aspects are user-defined.
As you can see, the two pricing models are not so easy to compare. But basically you can say:
Supabase: Has a fixed basic fee + few variable costs.
Firebase: Has no fixed costs, only various micro-fees per service. The total costs therefore depend heavily on the project or access and usage.
That's why we've calculated something for you. Assuming you have these specifications:
- 150,000 monthly active users
- 15 GB database
- 50 GB storage (photos, video, documents)
- 100 GB bandwidth
- 40 million API requests (30 million reads, 10 million writes)
- 3 million Real Time Messages.
With Supabase you'll end up with about 26$ per month, with Firebase about 52$.
This means that for relational (i.e. SQL) workloads with moderate data volumes, Supabase is a good half the price. But that can quickly tip the scales in favor of Firebase. That's why you should discuss your requirements with experts or an AI to see which might be the better option for your app.
GDPR
The topic of data protection, and in particular the General Data Protection Regulation, is particularly important in Europe. Especially if you store personal data, you should ensure that this is done in a legally compliant manner.
You can find out more about tooling and GDPR in this blog post.
It is important for you to know how backends handle your data and where the data is stored.
Data processing agreement (DPA) - What happens to your data?
A Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) is a contract between you and an external service provider (e.g. Supabase). This contract is necessary if service providers have access to personal data. It regulates how the third-party provider handles this data.
You can apply for a DPA from Supabase via this page.
Server location - Where is your data stored?
With Supabase, you can select the server region when creating your project. In Europe, you can choose from Ireland, England, France, Germany, Switzerland and Sweden. Supabase also offers the option of connecting your own servers. This is of course much more technically demanding than the cloud version, but it is an important feature for companies that want to use their local servers for legal security reasons.
Under the GDPR, personal data may only leave the EU or the European Monetary Area if the destination country offers an adequate level of protection or if you implement additional guarantees to ensure data protection. To avoid this hurdle or unnecessary risk, it is therefore advisable to only use servers hosted in the EU.
Firebase - AVV & server locations
Google's Firebase can also be used in compliance with the GDPR, provided you pay attention to a few things.
- DPA: The Firebase Data Processing and Security Terms incl. Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) apply automatically as soon as you agree to the Firebase Terms of Use. This document regulates Google's role as a processor and describes technical/organizational measures as well as audit and support obligations.
- Server locations: Almost all services (database, hosting, storage, etc.) can be set up in Europe, as with Supabase. However, there is one exception: Firebase Authentication is processed exclusively in US data centers. Firebase is SCC compliant, but you must let your users know this.
Philosophy - Open Source vs. Proprietary
Supabase and Firebase are based on two different types of software philosophy - open source vs. proprietary technology. Supabase is an open source solution, i.e. the Supabase source code is publicly available. This also gives you the opportunity to customize it for yourself. This does not mean that you have to do this if you decide to use Supabase. It is an option. However, if you decide to do so, you must also consider the responsibility that comes with it: you organize updates, operation and support yourself or via the community or paid service providers.
Firebase, on the other hand, is not an open source solution. This also means that you do not have the option of hosting Firebase locally yourself. This means you are tied to Firebase (vendor lock-in). It is not impossible to move your Firebase backend, but it will be much more complex. Firebase is therefore particularly worthwhile if you are working in the Google ecosystem anyway.
Front-end connections
When we talk about app development, the right counterpart to the backend is, of course, the frontend.
Supase shines when it comes to native low-code frontend integrations. Supabase can be easily connected to Weweb, Flutterflow, Plasmic or Retool, for example. AI coding tools such as Lovable or automation tools such as Zapier and n8n can also be connected without having to delve too deeply into API documentation.
Firebase, on the other hand, requires a lot more API knowledge. This is because it can primarily be connected to traditionally programmed frontends, with the exception of Flutterflow. However, Firebase is one step ahead of Supabase in one respect: operation with artificial intelligence. Google has released Firebase Studio - a full-stack AI workspace that can be operated with prompts, similar to Lovable.
Comparison of functions
Conclusion - personal opinion on Supabase
Is Supabase now a good alternative to Firebase? In a nutshell: absolutely. The question that arises is: Is Firebase a good alternative to Supabase?
Supabase offers an extremely powerful backend solution that is not only easy to use, but is also open source. So if you are a no- or low-coder, you will quickly find your way around Supabase.
Which option allows you to start faster?
If you are already familiar with classic backends or are already using the Google ecosystem, Firebase may be the faster option for you. The project setup is quick and clear. But after that, it definitely becomes more complex than with Supabase. This is due to the sheer number of options and functions that Firebase offers.
Supabase, on the other hand, is clearer. Above all, we find the database interface easier to use. The fact that it is an SQL database with tables definitely makes it more intuitive for non-developers to get started. In addition, the connection to Weweb, Plasmic, Lovable etc. is extremely quick and easy.
Recommendation
For no- and low-coders, Supabase is clearly our favorite - as long as you don't need a NoSQL database. Supabase offers the perfect combination of extreme performance and ease of use. The ability to host Supabase ourselves and have full control over it makes an increasingly important difference for us personally. And finally, we also think Supabase scores highly when it comes to data protection. Although Supabase is also a US company, you have more control and clarity over your data and what happens to it.
