Best Firebase Alternatives 2026
Discover the best Firebase alternatives for 2026. Compare Supabase, Appwrite, Neon + Auth.js, PocketBase and Convex on features, open-source and pricing.
At MG Software, we are big fans of Supabase for most projects. The combination of PostgreSQL, open-source and excellent developer experience makes it our default recommendation as a Firebase replacement. For small prototypes, PocketBase is a smart choice.
Why do people look for alternatives to Firebase is Google's Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform with realtime database, authentication, cloud functions, hosting and push notifications. It is popular for mobile and web apps thanks to its quick setup.?
Firebase uses a NoSQL model (Firestore) that is not ideal for every use case. Costs scale unpredictably, vendor lock-in with Google is a concern, and many teams prefer open-source alternatives with PostgreSQL and more control over their data.
Best alternatives
Supabase
Open-source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL with realtime subscriptions, authentication, storage, edge functions and a generous free plan.
Pros
- +PostgreSQL as foundation gives full SQL power and extensions
- +Open-source with option for self-hosting on own infrastructure
- +Built-in Row Level Security for fine-grained access control
Cons
- -Realtime performance is less optimized than Firestore
- -Edge functions are still relatively new compared to Cloud Functions
Appwrite
Open-source backend platform with authentication, databases, storage, functions and messaging, available as cloud service or self-hosted.
Pros
- +Fully open-source with active community and regular updates
- +Support for multiple database adapters and runtime languages
- +Built-in messaging and push notifications
Cons
- -Smaller community and ecosystem than Firebase or Supabase
- -Cloud version is younger with fewer region options
Neon + Auth.js
Serverless PostgreSQL from Neon combined with Auth.js for authentication, ideal for a modular backend stack with full control.
Pros
- +Serverless PostgreSQL with branching and autoscaling
- +Complete freedom to compose your own stack
- +Generous free plan with automatic scale-to-zero
Cons
- -Requires more setup than an all-in-one BaaS
- -No built-in realtime subscriptions or file storage
PocketBase
Lightweight open-source backend in a single Go binary with built-in SQLite database, authentication, file storage and realtime subscriptions.
Pros
- +Extremely simple to deploy as a single binary with no dependencies
- +Built-in admin UI for data management without extra tooling
- +Very low resource requirements suitable for small VPS servers
Cons
- -SQLite is not suited for high concurrency or large datasets
- -Limited scalability for enterprise applications
Convex
Reactive backend platform with automatic caching, realtime queries and serverless functions, designed for modern TypeScript applications.
Pros
- +Automatic realtime updates without manual subscription setup
- +End-to-end TypeScript with type-safe queries and mutations
- +Built-in caching and optimistic updates for fast UX
Cons
- -Proprietary platform with limited self-hosting options
- -Relatively new with a smaller ecosystem than Firebase
What to consider when switching?
- Evaluate whether you need a SQL (PostgreSQL) or NoSQL data model
- Check if self-hosting and data ownership are important for your organization
- Compare realtime capabilities and latency of each alternative
- Assess available client SDKs for your target platforms (web, iOS, Android)
Which alternative does MG Software recommend?
At MG Software, we are big fans of Supabase for most projects. The combination of PostgreSQL, open-source and excellent developer experience makes it our default recommendation as a Firebase replacement. For small prototypes, PocketBase is a smart choice.
Frequently asked questions
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