Supabase vs Firebase vs PlanetScale: Database Showdown 2025
A detailed comparison of three leading backend-as-a-service platforms to help you choose the right database solution.
Jake Cortez
AI & Automation Expert
Quick Verdict
Supabase for Postgres, Firebase for Mobile, PlanetScale for MySQL Scale
Choose Supabase for relational data and open-source flexibility. Pick Firebase for mobile apps and real-time needs. Select PlanetScale for MySQL compatibility and horizontal scaling.
The Contenders
Supabase
Open-source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL with real-time subscriptions and auth.
Best For
Teams wanting PostgreSQL, open-source advocates, and relational data needs
Pricing
Free - $25+/month
- • Free: 500MB database, 1GB storage
- • Pro: $25/mo - 8GB database, 100GB storage
- • Team: $599/mo - Enhanced support
- • Enterprise: Custom pricing
Pros
- Real PostgreSQL database
- Open-source and self-hostable
- Built-in auth and storage
- Real-time subscriptions
- Great developer experience
Cons
- Smaller ecosystem than Firebase
- Real-time less mature
- Limited offline support
- Fewer managed services
Firebase
Google's comprehensive backend platform with real-time NoSQL database and extensive services.
Best For
Mobile apps, real-time applications, and teams wanting comprehensive Google integration
Pricing
Free - Pay as you go
- • Spark: Free - Limited resources
- • Blaze: Pay as you go
- • Typical: $25-100+/mo for production apps
Pros
- Mature real-time database
- Excellent mobile SDKs
- Comprehensive service suite
- Strong offline support
- Google Cloud integration
Cons
- NoSQL limitations (Firestore)
- Vendor lock-in
- Pricing can be unpredictable
- Complex security rules
PlanetScale
Serverless MySQL platform built on Vitess with branching and schema management.
Best For
MySQL teams, high-scale applications, and teams needing database branching
Pricing
Free - $29+/month
- • Hobby: Free - 5GB storage, 1B rows read
- • Scaler: $29/mo - Production ready
- • Scaler Pro: $39/mo - More resources
- • Enterprise: Custom pricing
Pros
- MySQL compatibility
- Database branching workflow
- Automatic scaling
- Schema change management
- No cold starts
Cons
- No foreign keys (by design)
- MySQL only
- No built-in auth
- Limited real-time features
Feature Comparison
Database
| Feature | Supabase | Firebase | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Database Type | PostgreSQL | NoSQL (Firestore) | MySQL |
| SQL Support | Full | Full | |
| Real-time | Excellent | ||
| Foreign Keys | |||
| Branching |
Features
| Feature | Supabase | Firebase | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Auth | |||
| File Storage | |||
| Edge Functions | |||
| Offline Support | Limited | Excellent | |
| Self-Hostable |
Scaling
| Feature | Supabase | Firebase | PlanetScale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-scaling | |||
| Global Distribution | Limited | ||
| Connection Pooling | N/A |
Key Takeaways
- 1Supabase offers real PostgreSQL with modern DX and is open-source
- 2Firebase excels at mobile development and real-time sync
- 3PlanetScale provides MySQL with Git-like branching workflow
- 4Supabase and Firebase include auth; PlanetScale is database-only
- 5All three offer generous free tiers for getting started
Conclusion
Supabase is ideal for teams who want PostgreSQL power with a modern developer experience. Firebase remains the go-to for mobile apps requiring robust offline support and real-time sync. PlanetScale is perfect for MySQL shops wanting serverless scaling and a unique branching workflow. Consider your data model (relational vs NoSQL) and feature requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is best for a new project?
Supabase offers the best balance of features for most new projects. Firebase is better for mobile-first apps. PlanetScale is ideal if you need MySQL specifically.
Can I migrate between these platforms?
Migrating between SQL (Supabase/PlanetScale) and NoSQL (Firebase) is complex. Moving between Supabase and PlanetScale is easier since both support SQL.
Which has the best free tier?
All offer solid free tiers. Firebase's free tier is generous but metered. Supabase and PlanetScale have clear limits. PlanetScale's hobby tier is quite generous for development.
Do I need a separate auth service with PlanetScale?
Yes, PlanetScale is database-only. You'll need a separate auth solution like Auth0, Clerk, or your own implementation.