Supabase vs Firebase vs Convex
Supabase is the best default backend for vibe-coded apps because it's real Postgres with auth built in; choose Convex for all-TypeScript realtime apps, and Firebase for mobile-first apps on Google Cloud.
Last checked · facts from vendor pages · editorial verdict · how we rank
Pick it if: You want SQL/Postgres, portability, and native integrations with Lovable, Bolt and v0.
Pick it if: You're building mobile apps or already live in Google Cloud.
Pick it if: Your stack is TypeScript end to end and you want realtime by default, with backend logic your agent can write as code.
Side by side
| Supabase | Firebase | Convex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Postgres backend: database, auth, storage, edge functions. | Google's app backend: Firestore, auth, hosting, functions. | Reactive TypeScript backend database. |
| Vendor | Supabase | Convex | |
| Pricing (as checked) | Free $0 (50,000 MAU, 500 MB DB, 2 active projects, pauses after 1 week inactivity). Pro from $25/mo. Team from $599/mo. | Spark plan: no-cost usage limits. Blaze: pay as you go (eligible new users can get $300 free credit). | Free & Starter $0 + pay as you go. Professional $25/developer/mo. Enterprise $2,500/mo minimum. |
| Starts at | $25/mo | Pay as you go | $25/dev/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No | Yes |
| Data model | Postgres (SQL) | Firestore (NoSQL) plus SQL Connect (Postgres) | Reactive document database; queries and mutations are TypeScript functions |
| Free tier | 50,000 MAU, 500 MB database, 2 active projects; pauses after 1 week inactive | Spark plan no-cost usage limits | Free & Starter: $0 plus pay as you go |
| Our rankings | #1 Backend & database, #3 Auth & payments, #4 MCP servers | #4 Backend & database, #4 Auth & payments | #2 Backend & database |
Supabase
- +Real Postgres: no lock-in
- +Integrated auth/storage/realtime
- +Native integrations with Lovable, Bolt, v0
- −Free projects pause when idle
- −Usage costs scale with MAU/egress
Firebase
- +Mature, huge ecosystem
- +Generous no-cost tier
- +Great for mobile
- −NoSQL Firestore modeling
- −Pricing spread across many services
Convex
- +Backend is just TypeScript: great for AI agents
- +Realtime by default
- +Generous free tier
- −Not SQL/Postgres
- −Platform-specific model
FAQ
Supabase or Firebase or Convex: which is better?
Supabase is the best default backend for vibe-coded apps because it's real Postgres with auth built in; choose Convex for all-TypeScript realtime apps, and Firebase for mobile-first apps on Google Cloud.
When should I pick Supabase?
Pick Supabase if: You want SQL/Postgres, portability, and native integrations with Lovable, Bolt and v0.
When should I pick Firebase?
Pick Firebase if: You're building mobile apps or already live in Google Cloud.
When should I pick Convex?
Pick Convex if: Your stack is TypeScript end to end and you want realtime by default, with backend logic your agent can write as code.
How much do Supabase and Firebase and Convex cost?
Supabase: Free $0 (50,000 MAU, 500 MB DB, 2 active projects, pauses after 1 week inactivity). Pro from $25/mo. Team from $599/mo. Firebase: Spark plan: no-cost usage limits. Blaze: pay as you go (eligible new users can get $300 free credit). Convex: Free & Starter $0 + pay as you go. Professional $25/developer/mo. Enterprise $2,500/mo minimum. (Checked 2026-10-22.)
Is Supabase cheaper than Firebase?
It depends on usage. Supabase Pro starts at $25/month; Firebase's Blaze plan is pay as you go with no-cost quotas included. Compare against your expected traffic.