Supabase vs Firebase
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Both bundle a database, auth, storage, and realtime behind one SDK. Supabase is built on Postgres and open source; Firebase is Google's proprietary platform built around the Firestore document database.
Verdict
Relational data points to Supabase; offline-first mobile points to Firebase. Mobbin's move from Firebase to Supabase shows the cost of picking a document store for relational, read-heavy data.
Pick Supabase when
- Your data is relational — users, orders, and the joins between them
- You want SQL, the option to self-host, and no lock-in to one cloud
Pick Firebase when
- You're building a mobile or realtime app that needs offline sync out of the box
- Your data fits documents and you're already in the Google ecosystem
SupabaseOpen source
Postgres backend-as-a-serviceFirebaseManaged service
Document backend-as-a-serviceRelated playbooks
What actually differs
SupabaseFirebase
DatabaseSupabase: Postgres — relational, SQL, joins, extensionsFirebase: Firestore — NoSQL documents and collections
AuthorizationSupabase: Row Level Security policies in the databaseFirebase: Firebase Security Rules
OpennessSupabase: Open source; can be self-hostedFirebase: Proprietary; runs only on Google Cloud
Mobile offlineSupabase: Possible, but you build more of it yourselfFirebase: Strong built-in offline sync on mobile