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Firebase vs PocketBase
Comparing two backend as a service platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
Firebase — Google's app development platform. Firebase is Google's mobile and web app development platform offering realtime database, authentication, hosting, and serverless functions.
PocketBase — Open source backend in 1 file. PocketBase is an open-source Go backend, bundled as a single executable, with embedded SQLite, auth, realtime, and admin UI.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Firebase | PocketBase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | Pay as you go | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Auth | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Database | Firestore (NoSQL) | SQLite |
| Realtime | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tier | Spark plan (generous) | Unlimited (self-host) |
| Self-hosted | No | Yes |
| Edge Functions | Yes | No |
| Row Level Security | No | Yes |
Firebase
Google's app development platform
Pros
- Battle-tested at massive scale
- Excellent mobile SDKs
- Deep Google Cloud integration
Cons
- Vendor lock-in with Firestore
- Costs can surprise you at scale
- NoSQL-only data model
PocketBase
Open source backend in 1 file
Pros
- Zero-config single binary
- Fast and lightweight
- Great for small-to-medium apps
Cons
- SQLite limits horizontal scale
- Single maintainer
- No managed cloud offering
Which should you choose?
Choose Firebase if a free tier is important for your stage. Choose PocketBase if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Firebase or PocketBase?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, PocketBase is the safer default because PocketBase is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. Firebase is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Firebase cheaper than PocketBase?
Firebase starts at Pay as you go, while PocketBase starts at Free. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Firebase to PocketBase?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Firebase-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most backend as a service migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Firebase or PocketBase open source?
PocketBase is open source; Firebase is a proprietary managed service.
Does Firebase or PocketBase have a free tier?
Both Firebase and PocketBase offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Firebase. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.