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PocketBase

Free softwareOpen sourceLocal

Add a database, user accounts and realtime updates to a small app.

Open PocketBase Compare alternatives →

What you can use it for

Add a database, user accounts and realtime updates to a small app.

  • Zero-config single binary embedding SQLite with realtime subscriptions, file storage, and built-in admin UI.
Workflow coverage and comparison notes

Run a self-contained realtime SQLite database with built-in auth, file storage and REST APIs using open-source PocketBase instead of Fauna serverless billing. Additional comparison: Replace a small app’s database CRUD, password authentication and file storage on your own server. Avoids metered backend usage, but requires rewriting the integration. Firebase Spark already includes free capacity. No Firestore SDK/rules compatibility, Cloud Functions, managed scaling or Firebase analytics.

Before you switch

Pre-1.0: the developer advises against production-critical applications without accepting manual migrations and compatibility changes. SQLite runs on one server; you manage hosting, security and backups. No Firebase SDK/rules compatibility, Cloud Functions or managed scaling. Dashboard edit/save did not complete in our browser check; authenticated API updates worked.

Alternatives to these paid apps

Each comparison covers the workflow described above, rather than every paid feature.

More for the same workflow

See alternatives →
Neon

Run a small app on managed Postgres databases with separate development branches.

Free: 100 projects, each with 1 GB storage, 100 CU-hours/month and 5 GB egress. Unlimited members; no credit card required.

Alternative to Supabase