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Firebase vs Supabase
Google's BaaS vs the open-source alternative — features, pricing, and React Native integration
16 min read•Tools: Firebase, Supabase•Updated Feb 2026
F
FirebaseS
SupabaseQuick Recommendation
Firebase
Best for Real-Time MobileChoose if you need:
- ✓You need real-time sync, push notifications, and crash reporting in a single SDK
- ✓Your app relies on real-time listeners across millions of concurrent connections
- ✓You want the fastest time-to-market with extensive documentation and community
Supabase
Best for Relational DataChoose if you need:
- ✓Your data model is relational and needs full PostgreSQL with joins, views, and extensions
- ✓You want open-source portability with the option to self-host
- ✓You prefer predictable pricing with a spend cap that prevents surprise bills
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Firebase | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| Database Model | NoSQL (Firestore document collections) | PostgreSQL relational with full SQL, joins, views, extensions |
| Free Tier | Spark: 1 GB Firestore, 50K reads/day, 20K writes/day | 500 MB database, 1 GB storage, 50K MAUs (pauses after 7 days) |
| Paid Pricing | Blaze pay-as-you-go: $0.18/100K reads | Pro $25/mo: 8 GB database, 100K MAUs |
| Authentication | Free email/password, Google, Apple, GitHub | Free up to 50K MAUs with email, OAuth, magic link |
| Real-Time | Native real-time listeners with offline persistence | Postgres CDC-based real-time subscriptions |
| Edge Functions | Cloud Functions (Node.js, Python) on Google Cloud | Deno-based Edge Functions with global distribution |
| Open Source | No — proprietary with strong vendor lock-in | Yes — MIT-licensed, self-hostable |
| React Native SDK | Mature @react-native-firebase library | supabase-js works in React Native |
Our Verdict
For React Native mobile apps that need real-time sync, push notifications, analytics, and crash reporting in a single SDK, Firebase remains the most complete turnkey solution. If your team values open-source portability, SQL-based data modeling, and predictable monthly costs, Supabase delivers a more developer-friendly backend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need help choosing between Firebase and Supabase?
Our engineers have production experience with both tools. We can help you make the right choice based on your specific requirements, timeline, and budget.