BaaS choice in 2026 is a 3-horse race: Supabase (Postgres-based, open source), Firebase (Google, NoSQL-first), and Pocketbase (single-binary, SQLite). Each wins specific scenarios.
Storage model
- Supabase: Postgres + real-time + auth + edge functions. Relational, ACID, joins.
- Firebase: Firestore (NoSQL document) + Realtime DB. Schemaless, eventually consistent at scale.
- Pocketbase: SQLite + auth + admin UI + JS hook scripts. Single binary, ~50 MB.
Pricing at 100K MAU
- Supabase: $25/mo (Pro tier)
- Firebase: $100-300/mo (Cloud Firestore reads add up fast)
- Pocketbase: $5/mo (any VPS — it's just a binary)
Firebase costs blow up most often because every UI refresh = many Firestore reads. Supabase Realtime is push-based, way cheaper.
Self-hosting
- Supabase: full self-hosting via Docker Compose, 100% feature parity
- Firebase: not possible
- Pocketbase: self-hosting IS the product
When to pick which
- Supabase — most new SaaS, marketplaces, anything that benefits from SQL + Postgres ecosystem
- Firebase — mobile apps with offline-first sync (Firestore's killer feature), Google Cloud shops
- Pocketbase — solo founder, side project, max-frugal start, willing to scale by upgrading VPS
Vendor lock-in
- Supabase: low — it's Postgres, you can lift+shift to any Postgres host
- Firebase: high — Firestore queries don't translate to SQL
- Pocketbase: zero — it's a single binary you own
Nexora Aero runs on Supabase precisely for the no-lock-in story. Pocketbase is what we recommend to side projects that might never reach $100/mo revenue.
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