Best Firebase Alternatives in 2026
Outgrowing Firebase? Whether you need SQL databases, want to avoid Google lock-in, or require infrastructure control, explore these Firebase alternatives that offer more flexibility and ownership.
1. Server Compass – Self-Host Supabase or Build Custom Backend
Server Compass enables self-hosting Supabase (Firebase alternative) or deploying custom backends with PostgreSQL/MySQL on your VPS. Get Firebase-like capabilities without Google lock-in, plus complete infrastructure control.
Predictable Costs
$29 + VPS ($5-20/mo) vs Firebase's unpredictable usage-based pricing
SQL Databases
PostgreSQL, MySQL, or self-hosted Supabase vs Firebase's NoSQL
No Google Lock-in
Own your infrastructure completely, switch providers anytime
Full Stack Hosting
Backend + frontend + databases all in one platform
| Feature | Server Compass | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Database Type | SQL (PostgreSQL, MySQL) | NoSQL (Firestore) |
| Pricing Model | $29 + VPS (predictable) | Pay-per-use (complex) |
| Infrastructure Ownership | ||
| Vendor Lock-in | Google ecosystem | |
| Self-hosted Option | ||
| SSH Access | ||
| Auth Built-in | Supabase mode | |
| Storage | Supabase mode | |
| App Hosting | ||
| Real-time | Supabase mode |
Other Firebase Alternatives
Supabase
Free / From $25 per projectOpen-source Firebase alternative with PostgreSQL, auth, storage, and real-time – the most popular Firebase alternative.
Pros
- PostgreSQL (SQL) database
- Open source
- Firebase-like features
- Great documentation
Cons
- Per-project pricing
- Vendor lock-in
- Newer platform
- Smaller ecosystem
Best For
- Firebase migrants
- SQL database needs
- Open-source preference
Appwrite
Free (self-hosted) / Cloud pricing TBAOpen-source Backend-as-a-Service with database, auth, storage, and serverless functions.
Pros
- Completely open source
- Self-hostable
- Complete BaaS features
- Active development
Cons
- Requires self-hosting
- Cloud service in beta
- Smaller ecosystem
- Less mature than Firebase
Best For
- Self-hosting preference
- Open-source needs
- Firebase-like features
AWS Amplify
Pay-as-you-goAmazon's Backend-as-a-Service with full AWS integration and enterprise features.
Pros
- Full AWS integration
- Enterprise scale
- Complete tooling
- GraphQL support
Cons
- AWS complexity
- Steep learning curve
- Can be expensive
- Different from Firebase
Best For
- AWS-native projects
- Enterprise applications
- AWS teams
PocketBase
Free (self-hosted)Open-source backend in a single file with database, auth, and real-time subscriptions.
Pros
- Extremely simple
- Single binary
- Built-in admin UI
- Real-time support
Cons
- Self-hosting only
- SQLite (not PostgreSQL)
- Smaller ecosystem
- Less features than Firebase
Best For
- Small to medium projects
- Rapid prototyping
- Simple backends
Back4App
Free / From $5/moManaged Parse platform offering Firebase-like backend with SQL and NoSQL options.
Pros
- Firebase-like features
- Both SQL and NoSQL
- Good free tier
- Parse-compatible
Cons
- Less known platform
- Smaller community
- Parse legacy
- Limited ecosystem
Best For
- Parse migrants
- Simple backend needs
- Budget projects
Convex
Free / From $25/moReactive backend with TypeScript-first approach and real-time synchronization.
Pros
- TypeScript-first
- Real-time by default
- Reactive programming
- Good DX
Cons
- Proprietary database
- Different paradigm
- Learning curve
- Newer platform
Best For
- TypeScript projects
- Real-time apps
- Modern architectures
Hasura
Free (self-hosted) / From $99/mo CloudGraphQL engine for PostgreSQL with instant APIs and real-time subscriptions.
Pros
- Instant GraphQL APIs
- PostgreSQL-based
- Real-time
- Self-hostable
Cons
- Requires PostgreSQL
- GraphQL-focused
- Cloud pricing high
- Not complete BaaS
Best For
- GraphQL projects
- PostgreSQL users
- API generation
Parse
Free (self-hosted) / Various cloudOpen-source BaaS originally by Facebook, now community-maintained with self-hosting.
Pros
- Open source
- Complete BaaS
- Self-hostable
- Proven platform
Cons
- Aging technology
- Less active development
- Smaller community
- Setup required
Best For
- Legacy Parse apps
- Self-hosted BaaS
- Budget projects
Directus
Free (self-hosted) / Cloud from $15/moOpen-source headless CMS and database wrapper with instant REST & GraphQL APIs.
Pros
- Open source
- Works with existing databases
- Admin UI included
- Both REST & GraphQL
Cons
- CMS-focused
- Not pure BaaS
- Requires database setup
- Different use case
Best For
- Content management
- Existing databases
- API generation
Backendless
Free / From $25/moVisual backend development platform with database, auth, and serverless functions.
Pros
- Visual development
- Complete BaaS
- No-code options
- Good features
Cons
- Proprietary platform
- Learning curve
- Vendor lock-in
- Complex pricing
Best For
- Visual development
- No-code teams
- Rapid prototyping
Fauna
Free / Pay-as-you-goServerless database with GraphQL API and global distribution.
Pros
- Global distribution
- GraphQL native
- Serverless
- ACID transactions
Cons
- Proprietary database
- Different paradigm
- Learning curve
- Not complete BaaS
Best For
- Global applications
- GraphQL projects
- Serverless needs
Nhost
Free / From $25/moOpen-source Firebase alternative built on Hasura, PostgreSQL, and open-source tools.
Pros
- Open source
- PostgreSQL-based
- Hasura GraphQL
- Firebase-like
Cons
- Smaller platform
- Newer service
- Less proven
- GraphQL-focused
Best For
- GraphQL projects
- Open-source needs
- PostgreSQL preference
Why Server Compass is the Best Firebase Alternative
SQL databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) vs Firebase's limited NoSQL
Self-host Supabase for complete Firebase alternative on your VPS
Escape Google ecosystem lock-in – own your infrastructure completely
Predictable pricing: $29 + VPS ($5-20/mo) vs Firebase's unpredictable usage costs
Full SSH access and complete database control
Deploy backends + frontends + databases in one platform
Desktop app with offline support vs Firebase's web console
No egress charges or bandwidth fees
Visual database management and import tools
Multi-server management from single application
GitHub Actions integration for CI/CD
Switch VPS providers freely without vendor lock-in
Ready to Switch from Firebase?
Join developers who have switched from Firebase to Server Compass and are saving up to 90% on hosting costs while gaining full control over their infrastructure.