Supabase DatabaseOpen source Firebase alternative on Postgres
Supabase wraps PostgreSQL with an instant REST and GraphQL API, real-time subscriptions, row-level security, edge functions, and storage — a full backend platform that doesn't lock you in to proprietary tech.
Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL. It provides an instant REST and GraphQL API (via PostgREST), real-time subscriptions, row-level security, edge functions (Deno), auth, and S3-compatible storage — all from a single platform. Unlike Firebase, Supabase doesn't lock you into proprietary tech. Your data lives in standard PostgreSQL, and you can use any Postgres extension (pgvector, PostGIS, pg_cron). Self-hosting is fully supported for teams that need it.
Quick start
# Create a new Supabase project
npx supabase init
npx supabase start
# Or use the cloud dashboard
# Visit https://supabase.com/dashboard to create a project
# Install the client library
npm install @supabase/supabase-jsRead the full documentation at supabase.com/docs
Postgres under the hood
Standard PostgreSQL — use pgvector, PostGIS, full-text search, and any Postgres extension.
Instant REST & GraphQL
PostgREST auto-generates a REST API from your schema — every table is an API endpoint.
Realtime subscriptions
Postgres logical replication powers real-time row changes via WebSockets — no polling.
Row-level security
Policies enforce multi-tenant data access at the database layer — auth context flows through to RLS.
Edge Functions
Deno-based serverless functions colocated with your database — custom logic without a separate server.
Storage & auth built-in
S3-compatible object storage and authentication included — a complete backend in one platform.
Why it's hard
Row-level security policy complexity
RLS policies are powerful but can become difficult to debug when combining multiple roles, JWT claims, and nested policies. Supabase's policy editor and SQL helpers simplify this.
Real-time subscription scaling
Supabase Realtime works well for moderate workloads but may need careful channel design and message filtering for high-throughput applications.
Edge function cold starts
Supabase Edge Functions (Deno) can have cold starts on the free tier. Warm function strategies and Supabase's regional deployment options help mitigate latency.
Best practices
Design RLS policies early
Implement row-level security from day one — retrofitting RLS onto an existing schema is significantly harder than building with it from the start.
Use the Supabase client library
The @supabase/supabase-js client handles auth, real-time, storage, and database queries with a unified API and automatic token refresh.
Leverage Postgres extensions
Enable pgvector for AI embeddings, PostGIS for geospatial queries, or pg_cron for scheduled tasks — all available through Supabase's dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
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