Supabase vs Appwrite: Which Open Source BaaS Fits Your Stack?
Both are open-source BaaS, but Supabase builds on PostgreSQL while Appwrite uses MariaDB with multi-runtime functions. See which suits your stack.
Supabase and Appwrite are both excellent open-source BaaS platforms with different strengths. Supabase offers direct PostgreSQL access with full SQL power, making it ideal for data-intensive applications. Appwrite provides an easier self-hosting experience with multi-runtime functions, offering flexibility in programming languages. The choice depends on your priorities: PostgreSQL power and SQL directness (Supabase) or language flexibility and simple Docker setup (Appwrite).
Supabase
An open-source Backend-as-a-Service built on PostgreSQL with real-time subscriptions, Row Level Security, edge functions, and auto-generated APIs. Supabase offers a managed cloud service and is fully self-hostable. It positions itself as the open-source alternative to Firebase with the power of a relational database.
Appwrite
An open-source Backend-as-a-Service with a MariaDB database, multi-runtime cloud functions (Node.js, Python, PHP, Dart, and more), storage, authentication, and realtime. Appwrite is designed as a Docker-first platform for easy self-hosting and provides SDKs for web, mobile, and server platforms.
What are the key differences between Supabase and Appwrite?
| Feature | Supabase | Appwrite |
|---|---|---|
| Database | PostgreSQL with full SQL, joins, transactions, and extensions | MariaDB with a document-like API on top of a relational database |
| Functions | Edge Functions (Deno) for low-latency on the edge network | Multi-runtime: Node.js, Python, PHP, Ruby, Dart, Swift, and more |
| Self-hosting | Docker Compose, requires multiple services (PostgreSQL, GoTrue, etc.) | Docker-first with a single docker-compose for the full stack |
| API generation | Auto-generated REST and GraphQL API from database schema | REST API with SDK abstraction, no direct database access |
| Real-time | PostgreSQL CDC-based real-time subscriptions | WebSocket-based real-time events and channels |
When to choose which?
Choose Supabase when...
Choose Supabase when your project needs direct PostgreSQL access with full SQL power, Row Level Security for fine-grained access control, and auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs. The extensive PostgreSQL extension ecosystem adds capabilities like vector search and geospatial queries.
Choose Appwrite when...
Choose Appwrite when your team needs multi-runtime cloud functions supporting Python, PHP, Dart, and more, or when a simple Docker-first self-hosting setup is a priority. Appwrite also provides comprehensive SDKs for Flutter, Android, and iOS development.
What is the verdict on Supabase vs Appwrite?
Supabase and Appwrite are both excellent open-source BaaS platforms with different strengths. Supabase offers direct PostgreSQL access with full SQL power, making it ideal for data-intensive applications. Appwrite provides an easier self-hosting experience with multi-runtime functions, offering flexibility in programming languages. The choice depends on your priorities: PostgreSQL power and SQL directness (Supabase) or language flexibility and simple Docker setup (Appwrite).
Which option does MG Software recommend?
At MG Software, we choose Supabase as our primary BaaS platform. Direct PostgreSQL access, Row Level Security, and the extensive extension ecosystem align perfectly with our technical stack. We value Supabase's edge functions and auto-generated APIs that accelerate development speed. We recommend Appwrite for clients who specifically need multi-runtime functions or when a simple Docker-first self-hosting setup is a requirement for their infrastructure.
Migrating: what to consider?
Migrating between Supabase and Appwrite involves switching between PostgreSQL and MariaDB, which requires data model conversion. Authentication systems differ in their token formats and configuration. Plan for rewriting API calls from auto-generated Supabase queries to Appwrite SDK methods.
Frequently asked questions
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