Supabase: the open source backend for your web and mobile apps
Open source backend built on Postgres: database, authentication, storage and serverless functions for your apps
Supabase is an open source backend platform built around Postgres. It brings together the database, authentication, file storage, serverless functions and realtime, so you don't have to assemble and run those pieces one by one.
Who is Supabase for?
Freelance developers who ship web or mobile apps for clients, and independents building their own SaaS. You need to be comfortable with code and SQL: it's neither a host for a brochure site nor a no-code tool.
Features
- Postgres database: every project gets its own database, with auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs.
- Authentication: email and password, social login, phone codes and magic links, with permissions handled through Row Level Security.
- Edge Functions: serverless functions written in TypeScript.
- Realtime: database change listeners, online presence and message broadcasting.
- Storage: S3-compatible file storage with a CDN and image transformations.
- Vector: store and search embeddings with pgvector for your AI features.
Supabase pricing in 2026
- Free: $0, 2 active projects, 500 MB database, 50,000 monthly active users, 1 GB of storage and 5 GB of egress. Projects are paused after one week of inactivity.
- Pro: from $25/month, with 100,000 monthly active users, 8 GB of disk per project, 100 GB of storage, 250 GB of egress and $10 in compute credits.
- Team: from $599/month, with 14 days of backups and SOC2 and ISO 27001 certifications.
- Enterprise: custom pricing.
Each extra project adds its compute cost: Supabase gives the example of two Micro projects on Pro, which comes to $35/month. Pricing checked on supabase.com/pricing in October 2026.
Why we recommend Supabase
We recommend it to technical freelancers because it covers most of a backend on standard Postgres, and its core tools are open source and self-hostable, so you stay less tied to the platform. The weak point to know about: pausing free projects after a week of inactivity rules out the Free plan for a client project in production, and the Pro bill moves with your number of projects and your usage. The spend cap, on by default on Pro, helps you avoid nasty surprises.
Supabase or something else?
To build your backend in a dedicated editor, look at Xano. For a no-code app, look at Glide or Softr. To host your app's front end, there's Vercel. You can also browse all the Supabase alternatives.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Free plan with 2 active projects, handy for starting an MVP
- Standard Postgres database with auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs
- Authentication, storage and serverless functions all in one place
- Core tools are open source and self-hostable
Weaknesses
- Takes real technical skills, SQL in particular
- Free projects are paused after one week of inactivity
- On the Pro plan, each project adds its own compute cost and overages are billed by usage
Frequently asked questions about Supabase
Supabase is an open source backend platform built around Postgres. It brings together the database, authentication, file storage, serverless functions and realtime for your web and mobile apps.
The Free plan is $0. Pro starts at $25/month, Team at $599/month, and Enterprise is custom. Compute for each project and any overages are added based on usage.
Yes, the Free plan gives you 2 active projects with a 500 MB database and 1 GB of storage. Free projects are paused after one week of inactivity, so it mostly suits tests and MVPs.
Yes if you build apps for clients or your own SaaS. If you just want a brochure site, or you don't code, a site builder or a no-code tool will suit you better.
Xano if you prefer a backend built in a dedicated editor, Glide or Softr for a no-code app. Compare them on our Supabase alternatives page.
Alternatives to Supabase
What we would use instead, in the same category.
Compare all the alternatives to Supabase
See our full comparison of the 4 alternatives to Supabase in 2026: prices, features and strengths, in detail.
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