Best Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) Platforms

Backend Without the Headache

Backend-as-a-Service platforms give you database, auth, storage, and more without managing servers. Here's how to choose.

Top BaaS Platforms

1. Supabase

Best for: PostgreSQL lovers, open source fans Pricing: Free tier generous, Pro $25/mo

Features:

• PostgreSQL database (full SQL)
• Row-level security
• Real-time subscriptions
• Auth with social providers
• Edge functions
• Storage with CDN
• Auto-generated APIs

Strengths:

• Open source (no lock-in)
• SQL power (joins, views, functions)
• Great free tier
• Active development

Limitations:

• Newer than Firebase
• Smaller ecosystem
• Some features in beta

Best for: SaaS apps, data-heavy apps, developers who know SQL

2. Firebase

Best for: Mobile apps, Google integration Pricing: Generous free tier, pay-as-you-go

Features:

• Firestore (NoSQL database)
• Realtime Database
• Authentication
• Cloud Functions
• Hosting
• Analytics
• Crashlytics
• Push notifications

Strengths:

• Battle-tested at scale
• Excellent mobile SDKs
• Google Cloud integration
• Huge ecosystem

Limitations:

• NoSQL limitations (no joins)
• Vendor lock-in
• Costs can spike unpredictably
• Complex pricing

Best for: Mobile apps, real-time apps, Google ecosystem users

3. Appwrite

Best for: Self-hosting, Docker fans Pricing: Free (self-hosted), Cloud from $15/mo

Features:

• Database (collections)
• Authentication
• Storage
• Functions
• Realtime
• Self-hosted option

Strengths:

• Full control (self-host)
• Simple pricing
• Good documentation
• Active community

Limitations:

• Smaller ecosystem
• Self-hosting complexity
• Fewer integrations

Best for: Teams wanting control, privacy-focused apps

4. PocketBase

Best for: Simple projects, Go developers Pricing: Free (self-hosted)

Features:

• SQLite database
• Auth
• File storage
• Realtime
• Single executable

Strengths:

• Incredibly simple
• Single file deployment
• Fast and lightweight
• No external dependencies

Limitations:

• SQLite limitations
• Self-host only
• Smaller scale

Best for: Side projects, internal tools, small apps

5. Convex

Best for: Real-time first apps Pricing: Free tier, Pro $25/mo

Features:

• Real-time by default
• TypeScript functions
• Automatic caching
• ACID transactions
• Built-in scheduling

Strengths:

• Best real-time experience
• Great developer experience
• TypeScript throughout
• Smart caching

Limitations:

• Newer platform
• Different mental model
• Vendor lock-in

Best for: Collaborative apps, real-time features

Comparison Table

| Feature | Supabase | Firebase | Appwrite | PocketBase | Convex | |---------|----------|----------|----------|------------|--------| | Database | PostgreSQL | NoSQL | NoSQL | SQLite | Custom | | Real-time | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | Auth | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | Functions | Edge | Cloud | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | | Storage | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | Self-host | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | | Open source | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |

Choosing the Right BaaS

Choose Supabase if:

• You prefer SQL databases
• You want open source
• You're building a SaaS
• You need complex queries

Choose Firebase if:

• You're building mobile apps
• You need push notifications
• You're in the Google ecosystem
• Real-time is critical

Choose Appwrite if:

• You want to self-host
• You need data sovereignty
• You prefer simpler pricing

Choose PocketBase if:

• It's a side project
• You want maximum simplicity
• You can self-host

Choose Convex if:

• Real-time is core to your app
• You love TypeScript
• You're building collaborative features

Spawned + Supabase

Spawned uses Supabase for backend integration. When building on Spawned, you get:

• Automatic Supabase setup
• Auth integration built-in
• Database schema generation
• Row-level security
• Edge functions when needed

Just describe your data needs and Spawned configures Supabase appropriately.