Supabase vs Firebase: Choosing the Right Backend for Your Next Project

As someone who's been a developer for over 10 years and now works full-time on my own projects, I've had the opportunity to explore various backend services. A few years ago, I created and sold a Firebase boilerplate called Serverless SaaS, which helped many developers kickstart their projects with Firebase. However, over time, I've found myself gravitating towards Supabase for my newer projects. I even started working on a Supabase starter called SupaNext to help developers kickstart their AI projects with Supabase. In this post, I'd like to share my experiences with both Firebase and Supabase to help you decide which one might be the best fit for your next project.

What is Firebase?

Firebase is a comprehensive Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform owned by Google. It started as a real-time database and has evolved into a suite of tools aimed at mobile and web developers. Some of its key features include:

Firestore Database: A NoSQL, document-oriented database that stores data in flexible, JSON-like documents.
Authentication: Easy-to-use user authentication supporting email/password, phone numbers, and social logins.
Cloud Functions: Serverless functions that run backend code in response to events triggered by Firebase features or HTTPS requests.
Cloud Storage: Secure file uploads and downloads for your apps.
Hosting: Fast and secure web hosting for static and dynamic content.

When I first started using Firebase, I was impressed by how quickly I could get a project off the ground. The real-time capabilities and seamless integration with other Google services made it a compelling choice for rapid development.

What is Supabase?

Supabase is an open-source alternative to Firebase that I've grown to appreciate deeply. It's built on top of PostgreSQL, a powerful, scalable, and proven relational database management system. Supabase offers:

PostgreSQL Database: A relational database with SQL support, ideal for structured data and complex queries.
Authentication: Built-in user authentication with support for various providers like email, OAuth, and third-party logins.
Realtime Subscriptions: Listen to database changes in real-time and stream updates directly to your application.
Storage: Securely manage and serve large files like images and videos.
Edge Functions: Deploy serverless functions globally for custom backend logic.

What drew me to Supabase was its developer-friendly tools, comprehensive documentation, and intuitive UI. As someone who feels more comfortable with relational databases, using PostgreSQL with Supabase just felt right.

My Journey from Firebase to Supabase

Having worked extensively with Firebase and even creating Serverless SaaS, I appreciated its ease of use and the ability to quickly prototype applications. However, more recently, I've found myself gravitating towards Supabase.

That's when I discovered Supabase. The transition to a SQL-based database allowed me to leverage the full power of relational data modeling. The familiarity of SQL made querying data more straightforward and efficient for my use cases. The developer tools, ease of use, and the UI of Supabase resonated with me, making development a more enjoyable experience.

I was so impressed with Supabase that I decided to create my own boilerplate for Next.js projects using Supabase, which I'm excited to share soon. If you're interested, you can sign up for the waitlist at SupaNext.com.

How Are They Similar?

Both Firebase and Supabase aim to simplify backend development by providing ready-to-use services, allowing developers to focus more on building the frontend. Some of the similarities include:

Rapid Project Setup: You can spin up new projects directly from the browser without needing additional tools.
Real-time Data: Both support real-time data synchronization between the client and server.
Authentication and Storage: Easy implementation of user authentication and file storage solutions.
Client Libraries: SDKs for interacting with their services directly from your app.
Dashboard UI: Intuitive dashboards for managing and debugging your data in real-time.

In my experience, both platforms offer a smooth developer experience, but the choice between them often comes down to the specific needs of your project.

How Are They Different?

Database Structure

Firebase: Uses a NoSQL document-based database (Firestore), which is great for unstructured data and allows flexible data models.
Supabase: Uses a relational SQL database (PostgreSQL), ideal for structured data with complex relationships and advanced querying.

For me, working with a relational database like PostgreSQL made data modeling more intuitive, especially for applications requiring complex queries.

Open Source

Supabase: Completely open-source. You can host it yourself, modify it, and there's no vendor lock-in.
Firebase: Proprietary and owned by Google. While robust, it doesn't offer the same level of transparency or self-hosting capabilities.

The open-source nature of Supabase aligns with my preference for tools that offer more control and flexibility.

Supabase vs Firebase Pricing

Firebase: Charges based on the number of reads, writes, and deletes, which can lead to unpredictable costs as your app scales.
Supabase: Charges based on the amount of data stored, with unlimited API requests and authentication users, offering more predictable pricing.

Predictable costs are essential, especially when scaling a project. Supabase's pricing model gives me peace of mind knowing that I won't be hit with unexpected charges.

Supabase vs Firebase Performance

Firebase: Excels in real-time synchronization and rapid development but may become complex with large datasets and intricate querying needs.
Supabase: Leverages PostgreSQL for high performance, especially with complex queries and transactional workloads.

In my projects, I've noticed that Supabase handles complex data operations more efficiently, which has been a significant advantage.

Why I Prefer Supabase Now

After a decade in development and transitioning to working full-time on my own projects, I've found that Supabase aligns better with my current needs:

Developer Tools: Supabase's tools are intuitive and powerful, making development a joy.
Ease of Use: Setting up and managing databases feels straightforward and hassle-free.
Documentation: Comprehensive docs make it easy to find solutions and best practices.
UI/UX: The dashboard is clean and user-friendly, enhancing the overall experience.
Relational Database: Being able to use SQL and model complex relationships is a big plus for me.

My positive experience with Supabase inspired me to create SupaNext, a boilerplate that combines Next.js with Supabase. It comes packed with AI examples and aims to help developers kickstart their projects even faster. If you're interested in checking it out, feel free to sign up for the waitlist.

When to Choose Firebase

That said, Firebase is still a fantastic option for certain scenarios:

Rapid Prototyping: If you need to get a simple app up and running quickly.
Unstructured Data: When your data doesn't fit a strict schema, and you prefer flexibility.
Google Ecosystem: If you're already using Google Cloud services and want seamless integration.
Comprehensive Toolset: Firebase offers additional services like machine learning, analytics, and cloud messaging.

When to Choose Supabase

Consider Supabase if:

Structured Data Needs: Your app requires complex queries, relationships, and transactional integrity.
Preference for SQL: You want to leverage the power and familiarity of SQL.
Open Source: You value transparency and the ability to self-host, avoiding vendor lock-in.
Predictable Pricing: You prefer costs based on storage rather than operations, allowing for better budgeting.

Final Thoughts

Both Firebase and Supabase have their strengths, and the best choice depends on your project's requirements. For me, Supabase has become the go-to backend service, offering the flexibility and power I need for my projects.

If you're undecided, I recommend trying both platforms to see which one resonates with you. And if you have any questions or want to share your experiences, feel free to leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading! If you'd like to stay updated on my projects or get notified when SupaNext launches, you can follow me on Twitter or sign up at SupaNext.com.