What is Supabase? Supabase Database vs Firebase Guide

What is Supabase?

At its core, Supabase is an open-source alternative to Firebase. It’s built on top of PostgreSQL, one of the most battle-tested relational databases in the world. That means the Supabase database is SQL-based, relational, and designed for developers who want structure, schemas, and the ability to scale without hitting the limitations of a NoSQL system.

Supabase markets itself as “the open-source Firebase alternative,” but it’s more than just a clone. It’s a developer-first platform that embraces open standards, transparency, and extensibility.

Key Highlights of Supabase

• Database-first approach: Every project starts with a Postgres database.
• Auto-generated APIs: REST and GraphQL APIs are created instantly from your schema.
• Authentication: Built-in user management with support for SSO, OAuth, and JWT.
• File storage: Object storage with fine-grained access controls.
• Real-time: Subscriptions powered by Postgres replication.
• Open-source: You can self-host Supabase if you want full control.

In short, Supabase is “Firebase for SQL lovers.”

Firebase in Brief

Firebase, owned by Google, is a NoSQL-first platform. Its Firestore database is document-based, which makes it flexible but less structured than SQL. Firebase shines in mobile-first apps, real-time chat, and projects where schema flexibility is more important than relational integrity.

Key Highlights of Firebase

• Firestore NoSQL database
• Authentication with Google ecosystem baked in
• Cloud Functions for serverless logic
• Hosting & CDN for web apps
• Real-time listeners for instant updates

Firebase has been around longer, has deep integration with Google Cloud, and is widely used in mobile app development. But its NoSQL-first approach can create challenges for teams that need structured, relational data.

Supabase Database vs Firebase: Feature Comparison

FeatureSupabase (Postgres)Firebase (Firestore)DatabaseSupabase database (SQL, relational)NoSQL, document-basedAuthenticationBuilt-in, flexible, supports SSOBuilt-in, mobile-firstFile StorageObject storage with access policiesCloud StorageReal-timePostgres replicationFirestore listenersAPIsAuto-generated REST & GraphQLClient SDKsOpen-sourceYesNoPricingTransparent, usage-basedTiered, can spike

Deep Dive: Supabase Database

The Supabase database is the heart of the platform. Unlike Firebase’s Firestore, which is document-based, Supabase uses PostgreSQL — a relational database with decades of proven reliability.

Why PostgreSQL Matters

• Relational integrity: Perfect for apps that require joins, constraints, and transactions.
• Mature ecosystem: PostgreSQL has a massive ecosystem of extensions, tools, and libraries.
• Scalability: Supabase leverages Postgres replication for real-time updates and horizontal scaling.
• SQL familiarity: Most developers already know SQL, making onboarding easier.

Example: Internal Inventory Tool

Imagine you’re building an internal inventory management system. With the Supabase database, you can:

• Define tables for products, suppliers, and orders.
• Enforce relationships (e.g., every order must reference a valid product).
• Run complex queries (e.g., “show me all suppliers with products out of stock”).
• Build a Retool dashboard on top of Supabase in hours.

With Firebase, modeling these relationships would require workarounds, nested documents, or denormalized data — which can get messy fast.

Authentication and Security

Both Supabase and Firebase offer built-in authentication, but their approaches differ.

• Supabase: Offers email/password, OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, etc.), and enterprise SSO. It integrates tightly with Postgres row-level security, so you can enforce fine-grained access rules directly in the database.
• Firebase: Also offers email/password and OAuth, but its rules engine is tied to Firestore documents. It’s powerful but can become complex for relational-style access patterns.

For internal tools, Supabase’s row-level security is a huge advantage. You can say: “Only allow users to see rows where user_id = auth.uid()” — and the database enforces it automatically.

Real-time Capabilities

Both platforms support real-time updates, but the underlying mechanisms differ.

• Supabase: Uses Postgres replication to stream changes. This means any insert, update, or delete can trigger a real-time event.
• Firebase: Firestore listeners provide real-time updates at the document level.

For chat apps or collaborative tools, both work well. But for structured, relational data, Supabase’s approach is often more predictable.

Pricing Breakdown

Pricing is often the deciding factor for startups.

• Supabase: Transparent, usage-based pricing. Free tier includes generous limits. Paid plans scale with database size, storage, and bandwidth.
• Firebase: Free tier is great for prototypes. But costs can spike with high read/write operations, making it harder to predict at scale.

Example: If your internal tool makes thousands of small read/write operations per day, Firebase costs can balloon. Supabase, by contrast, charges based on database size and bandwidth, which is easier to forecast.

Who Should Use Supabase?

• Developers who love SQL: If you’re comfortable with relational databases, Supabase feels natural.
• Startups: Open-source flexibility and transparent pricing make it attractive.
• Internal tool builders: The Supabase database integrates seamlessly with tools like Retool, making CRUD apps fast to build.

Who Should Use Firebase?

• Mobile-first teams: Firebase SDKs are tightly integrated with Android and iOS.
• Apps needing schema flexibility: NoSQL makes it easy to evolve your data model.
• Teams already in Google Cloud: Firebase fits neatly into the ecosystem.

Supabase + Retool: A Perfect Match

Here’s the truth: whether you choose Supabase or Firebase, you’ll still need a way to turn that backend into usable apps for your team. That’s where Retool comes in.

• With Supabase database as your backend, Retool can instantly connect to your Postgres tables.
• You can build CRUD apps, dashboards, and admin panels in hours instead of weeks.
• Authentication and permissions from Supabase flow naturally into Retool, keeping your apps secure.

Example Walkthrough: Building an Internal CRM with Supabase + Retool

1. Set up Supabase project: Create a Postgres database with tables for customers, leads, and interactions.
2. Enable authentication: Add email/password login for your sales team.
3. Connect to Retool: Use Retool’s Postgres connector to pull in your Supabase database.
4. Build UI: Drag-and-drop tables, forms, and charts to create a CRM dashboard.
5. Secure access: Use Supabase row-level security to ensure each rep only sees their own leads.

In less than a day, you’ve built a production-ready CRM — without writing a full frontend from scratch.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Supabase: Still a younger platform. Some advanced features (like analytics dashboards) may require extra setup.
• Firebase: NoSQL flexibility can lead to messy data models if not carefully planned.

Best practice: Start with a clear data model. If your app is relational, Supabase is usually the safer bet.

Conclusion

So, what is Supabase? It’s an open-source, SQL-based alternative to Firebase that gives developers the power of PostgreSQL with the convenience of a modern BaaS. The Supabase database is structured, scalable, and perfect for teams who want to avoid the pitfalls of NoSQL when building serious

At Retoolers, we believe the best tools are the ones your team actually uses. Supabase provides the structured, scalable backend you need. Retool turns it into the apps your business runs on. Don’t just ask what is Supabase — experience what it can do when paired with Retool. Start building your first Supabase-powered app in Retool today

Stop wasting hours on scattered tools. Let Retoolers build your custom dashboard and streamline your operations today. Book a call with us!