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Nhost vs WorkOS
Side-by-side comparison of Nhost and WorkOS.
Quick summary
Nhost — Open source Firebase alternative with GraphQL. Nhost is an open-source backend platform combining PostgreSQL, Hasura GraphQL, authentication, and storage.
WorkOS — Enterprise-ready features with just a few lines of code. WorkOS provides SSO, SCIM, audit logs, and directory sync — the B2B enterprise features SaaS apps need.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Nhost | WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $25/mo | $125/connection |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Auth | Yes | — |
| Storage | Yes | — |
| Database | PostgreSQL | — |
| Realtime | Yes | — |
| Free Tier | Yes | 1M MAU |
| Self-hosted | Yes | No |
| Edge Functions | Yes | — |
| Row Level Security | Yes | — |
| MFA | — | Yes |
| SAML/SSO | — | Yes |
| Pre-built UI | — | No |
| Social Login | — | Yes |
| Organizations | — | Yes |
Nhost
Open source Firebase alternative with GraphQL
Pros
- GraphQL-first via Hasura
- Postgres + open source
- Good developer experience
Cons
- Smaller community
- GraphQL learning curve
WorkOS
Enterprise-ready features with just a few lines of code
Pros
- Best-in-class SSO/SCIM
- Generous free tier for startups
- Enterprise-focused
Cons
- Per-connection pricing adds up
- Overkill for B2C apps
Which should you choose?
Choose Nhost if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose WorkOS if a free tier is important for your stage, and you need production-grade features and are ready to pay.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Nhost or WorkOS?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Nhost is the safer default because Nhost is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. WorkOS is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Nhost cheaper than WorkOS?
Nhost starts at $25/mo, while WorkOS starts at $125/connection. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Nhost to WorkOS?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Nhost-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 Nhost or WorkOS open source?
Nhost is open source; WorkOS is a proprietary managed service.
Does Nhost or WorkOS have a free tier?
Both Nhost and WorkOS 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 WorkOS. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.