Firebase is Google's mobile and web app development platform, bundling hosted authentication, a NoSQL database, file storage, and real-time sync — free to start, but billed on usage past the free tier, with pricing and data control both tied to Google's infrastructure. Teams that want to own their backend data in a standard SQL database, or avoid being locked into Google's ecosystem, look at open-source alternatives.
Supabase is the direct match, offering the same core building blocks — auth, storage, real-time — but built on Postgres and open source under Apache 2.0, so it can be self-hosted instead of tied to a single cloud vendor.
FAQ
Is there a free, open-source alternative to Firebase?
Yes. Supabase is open source and free to self-host.
What's the best open-source alternative to Firebase?
Supabase is the standout option — it mirrors Firebase's auth, storage, and real-time features but runs on Postgres and can be self-hosted instead of locked into Google's cloud.
What are the top open-source alternatives to Firebase?
Browse all open-source alternatives to Firebase above, or explore the full Developer Tools category for more options.