Supabase vs Appwrite
Updated . Stats refresh daily.
Short answer: Supabase: The open source Firebase alternative. Appwrite: Secure open-source backend for web, mobile, and Flutter. Compare their pricing models, features and live usage from GitHub and npm below.
At a glance
| Attribute | Supabase | Appwrite |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Main job | Backend DB | Open Source BaaS |
| GitHub stars | 110,783 | 57,482 |
| npm downloads a week | 30M | 50.5k |
| Latest release | v1.26.08, 1 month ago | 2.3.0, 3 days ago |
| Founded | 2020 | 2019 |
| Database | PostgreSQL (SQL) | MariaDB (NoSQL API) |
| Realtime | Postgres CDC | Realtime subscriptions |
| Authentication | GoTrue | Built-in |
| Storage | S3-compatible | Built-in |
| Functions | Edge Functions (Deno) | Cloud Functions |
| Self-Hosting | Docker (community) | Docker (official) |
| Admin UI | Yes | Yes (more comprehensive) |
Key differences
Database
Supabase uses PostgreSQL for structured relational data with SQL. Appwrite uses MariaDB but abstracts it away with a NoSQL-like document API.
Hosting Philosophy
Supabase is cloud-first with self-hosting as an option. Appwrite is self-hosting-first with their cloud offering being newer.
Developer Experience
Supabase gives you direct SQL access and Postgres superpowers. Appwrite provides a more abstracted, NoSQL-like API for easier onboarding.
Pricing
Supabase
Free: 500MB DB. Pro: $25/mo (8GB DB). Open source, self-host for free.
Appwrite
Free: Self-hosted. Cloud: $15/mo (starter). Fully open source (BSD-3).
Prices change often. Check each vendor's pricing page before you commit.
Strengths and weaknesses
Supabase
Strengths
- Full SQL power (Postgres)
- Mature cloud platform
- Row Level Security
- Postgres extensions (pgvector, PostGIS)
- Great DX for SQL users
Weaknesses
- Self-hosting not officially supported
- More complex for NoSQL users
- Cloud pricing adds up
Appwrite
Strengths
- Self-hosting is first-class
- Beautiful admin console
- 30+ SDKs for all platforms
- Abstracted NoSQL-like API
- Privacy-focused (self-host everything)
Weaknesses
- Cloud offering is newer/less mature
- No direct SQL access
- Smaller community than Supabase
Which should you choose?
Choose Supabase if
- you need SQL, want a mature cloud platform, or require Postgres-specific features like extensions and Row Level Security.
Choose Appwrite if
- self-hosting is a priority, you prefer NoSQL-like APIs, or you need maximum privacy control with everything self-hosted.
Questions
Can I self-host Supabase?
Yes, but it's not officially supported. Supabase is open source and you can self-host via Docker, but the cloud platform is the recommended path.
Does Appwrite support SQL queries?
No. Appwrite abstracts the database (MariaDB) and provides a NoSQL-like document API. Great for simplicity, but you lose direct SQL access.
Which is better for mobile apps?
Appwrite is excellent for mobile with 30+ SDKs (Flutter, React Native, iOS, Android). Supabase also supports mobile well, especially if you need SQL.
Is Appwrite Cloud stable?
Appwrite Cloud is newer (launched 2023) compared to Supabase's mature cloud (2020). For mission-critical apps, Supabase Cloud is more proven.