3-Way Comparison
Supabase vs Firebase vs PlanetScale: Backend Comparison
Supabase offers Postgres with full backend features, Firebase provides NoSQL with Google integration, and PlanetScale delivers serverless MySQL. Choose based on your database preference and feature needs.
Last updated: 2025-01
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Supabase | Firebase | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Full backend | Mobile apps | MySQL at scale |
| Learning Curve | Medium | Easy | Medium |
| Pricing | Generous free | Pay as you go | Usage-based |
| Database Type | PostgreSQL | NoSQL | MySQL |
| Auth | Yes | Yes | No |
| Real-time | Good | Excellent | No |
| Branching | No | No | Yes |
Supabase
- Best For
- Full backend
- Learning Curve
- Medium
- Pricing
- Generous free
- Database Type
- PostgreSQL
- Auth
- Yes
- Real-time
- Good
- Branching
- No
Firebase
- Best For
- Mobile apps
- Learning Curve
- Easy
- Pricing
- Pay as you go
- Database Type
- NoSQL
- Auth
- Yes
- Real-time
- Excellent
- Branching
- No
PlanetScale
- Best For
- MySQL at scale
- Learning Curve
- Medium
- Pricing
- Usage-based
- Database Type
- MySQL
- Auth
- No
- Real-time
- No
- Branching
- Yes
Winner by Category
Best for Beginners
FirebaseEasiest to get started
Best for Customisation
SupabaseFull SQL and self-hosting
Best for Speed
FirebaseFastest initial setup
Best for Learning
SupabaseTeaches proper SQL patterns
Best Value
SupabaseMost generous free tier
Best for Scaling
PlanetScaleBuilt for massive scale
Our Recommendation
Start with Supabase for web apps, Firebase for mobile, and PlanetScale when you need MySQL at scale.
When to Choose Each Tool
1
Choose Supabase
Web apps with relational data
2
Choose Firebase
Mobile apps or real-time features
3
Choose PlanetScale
MySQL migrations or large scale
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