Supabase vs Firebase
Supabase is an open source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL with real-time, auth, and edge functions. Firebase by Google offers a NoSQL Firestore database, hosting, and cloud functions.
🎓 Why Students Should Care
Supabase offers a generous free tier (500 MB database, 1 GB storage) plus $2,500 in startup credits. Firebase has a free Spark plan with 1 GB Firestore storage and 10 GB hosting bandwidth.
| Feature | Supabase | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Database | PostgreSQL (relational, SQL) | Firestore (NoSQL, document-based) |
| Free Tier Storage | 500 MB database + 1 GB files | 1 GB Firestore + 5 GB hosting |
| Auth | Built-in (email, OAuth, magic links) | Firebase Auth (email, OAuth, phone) |
| Real-time | PostgreSQL real-time subscriptions | Firestore real-time listeners |
| Open Source | Yes — self-host available | No — Google proprietary |
Our Verdict for Students
Choose Supabase if you want SQL, open source, and better pricing transparency. Choose Firebase if you're building mobile apps or already in the Google ecosystem. Both free tiers are perfect for student projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Supabase or Firebase better for students?
Choose Supabase if you want SQL, open source, and better pricing transparency. Choose Firebase if you're building mobile apps or already in the Google ecosystem. Both free tiers are perfect for student projects.
Can students get Supabase for free?
Supabase offers a generous free tier (500 MB database, 1 GB storage) plus $2,500 in startup credits. Firebase has a free Spark plan with 1 GB Firestore storage and 10 GB hosting bandwidth.