4 Open Source alternatives to Firebase in 2026
We compare 4 self-hostable tools you can deploy on your own server in minutes, with license, tech stack and a ready-to-copy docker-compose.
Quick comparison
Sorted by featured first, then GitHub stars as a tiebreaker — the same rule we use across the whole site.
| Tool | License | Minimum RAM | Docker | GitHub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase 100% FOSSMost popular on GitHub1-Click Deploy | Apache-2.0 | ~2GB | ✅ | ★ ~78,000 |
| Appwrite 100% FOSS1-Click Deploy | BSD-3-Clause | ~2GB | ✅ | ★ ~47,000 |
| PocketBase Lightest option100% FOSS1-Click Deploy | MIT | ~256MB | ✅ | ★ ~40,000 |
| Hasura 1-Click Deploy | Apache-2.0 | ~1GB | ✅ | ★ ~31,000 |
Detailed profile of each alternative
Alternative to Firebase
Backend-as-a-service on PostgreSQL, an alternative to Firebase.
Alternative to Firebase
Multi-language backend-as-a-service, an alternative to Firebase.
Alternative to Firebase
Backend-as-a-service in a single binary, a minimal alternative to Firebase.
Instant GraphQL API over PostgreSQL, an alternative to Firebase/AppSync.
How do I replace Firebase?
A practical guide with the real use case and limitation of each of the 4 alternatives, to pick the one that fits best.
See replacement guide →How much does Firebase cost, and how much can you save?
Firebase charges a recurring monthly fee. Self-hosting the alternative, you only pay for the server — usually a few dollars a month.
Calculate your exact savings in the SaaS Audit →Already know which one you want?
Add Supabase to the Stack Builder and generate a ready-to-deploy docker-compose.yml, alone or alongside the rest of your stack.
Build my stackFrequently asked questions
Do I need Docker to self-host a Firebase alternative?
Yes, for all 4: each one has a ready-to-copy docker-compose.yml. You just need Docker installed on your server.
How much RAM do I need at minimum?
The lightest option on this list is PocketBase, which runs on as little as 256MB of RAM — enough for a cheap VPS.
Are they all 100% free, or are there paid features like on Firebase?
3 out of 4 are 100% FOSS. The rest are Open-Core: the core is free and self-hostable, but some advanced feature may stay paid — we call it out on each tool's page.