7 self-hosted options
Self-hosted alternatives to Firebase
The best open-source alternative to Firebase is Supabase (Apache-2.0, 113,946 GitHub stars, Docker image). PocketBase stands out for a permissive MIT license, and Appwrite stands out for the most commits in the last 12 months (20,844).
Directus is also listed but is source-available, so it comes after the open-source picks.
About Firebase: Google's backend-as-a-service with database, auth, storage and functions.
Updated · data from GitHub, refreshed daily
Top picks
- Rank 1:
Supabase
supabase/supabase
Postgres development platform with auth, realtime, storage and edge functions, the open-source Firebase alternative.
Active · last commit Oct 26, 2026
Low-code & BackendTypeScriptDockerStands out for the most GitHub stars.
- Rank 2:
PocketBase
pocketbase/pocketbase
Backend for your next SaaS and Mobile app in one file.
Active · last commit Oct 23, 2026
Low-code & BackendGoDockerStands out for a permissive MIT license.
- Rank 3:
Appwrite
appwrite/appwrite
End to end backend server for web, native, and mobile developers 🚀.
Active · last commit Oct 26, 2026
Low-code & BackendTypeScriptDockerStands out for the most commits in the last 12 months (20,844).
At a glance
Firebase alternatives compared
Open-source apps come first, then source-available ones and apps whose license appsgit could not verify; within each group, projects with at least 12 commits in the last 12 months come before less active or archived ones, then by GitHub stars.
| App | Stands out for | License | GitHub stars | Commits (12 mo) | Last commit | Docker image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | the most GitHub stars | Apache-2.0 | 113,946 | 6,256 | Oct 26, 2026 | Yes |
| PocketBase | a permissive MIT license | MIT | 61,619 | 534 | Oct 23, 2026 | Yes |
| Appwrite | the most commits in the last 12 months (20,844) | BSD-3-Clause | 57,758 | 20,844 | Oct 26, 2026 | Yes |
| Hasura | a permissive Apache-2.0 license | Apache-2.0 | 32,122 | 328 | Oct 26, 2026 | Yes |
| Manifest | AI features named in its own description | MIT | 7,597 | 4,134 | Oct 23, 2026 | No |
| TrailBase | – | OSL-3.0 | 5,729 | 1,188 | Oct 25, 2026 | Yes |
| Directus | – | source-available, Monospace Sustainable Core License 1.0 | 38,634 | 780 | Oct 23, 2026 | Yes |
Full list
All 7 Firebase alternatives
Open any app for live stats, license details and a deploy option.
- 1
Supabase
Postgres development platform with auth, realtime, storage and edge functions, the open-source Firebase alternative.
Low-code & BackendDockerStands out for the most GitHub stars. Supabase has 113,946 GitHub stars, uses the Apache-2.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 6,256 commits in the last year.
- 2
PocketBase
Backend for your next SaaS and Mobile app in one file.
Low-code & BackendDockerStands out for a permissive MIT license. PocketBase has 61,619 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license, ships a Docker image and had 534 commits in the last year.
- 3
Appwrite
End to end backend server for web, native, and mobile developers 🚀.
Low-code & BackendDockerStands out for the most commits in the last 12 months (20,844). Appwrite has 57,758 GitHub stars, uses the BSD-3-Clause license, ships a Docker image and had 20,844 commits in the last year.
- 4
Hasura
Fast, instant realtime GraphQL APIs on Postgres with fine grained access control, also trigger webhooks on database events.
API ManagementDockerStands out for a permissive Apache-2.0 license. Hasura has 32,122 GitHub stars, uses the Apache-2.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 328 commits in the last year.
- 5
Manifest
Complete backend that fits into 1 YAML file.
Low-code & BackendAI-nativeStands out for AI features named in its own description. Manifest has 7,597 GitHub stars, uses the MIT license and had 4,134 commits in the last year.
- 6
TrailBase
Open, sub-millisecond, single-executable FireBase alternative with type-safe REST & realtime APIs, built-in JS/TS runtime, auth & admin UI.
Low-code & BackendDockerTrailBase has 5,729 GitHub stars, uses the OSL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,188 commits in the last year.
- 7
Directus
An Instant App & API for your SQL Database. Directus wraps your new or existing SQL database with a realtime GraphQL+REST API for developers, and an intuitive admin app for non-technical users.
Source-availableDatabase ManagementDockerDirectus has 38,634 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Monospace Sustainable Core License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 780 commits in the last year.
Is there a free alternative to Firebase?
Yes. 6 of the 7 apps on this page are open source; 1 is source-available. The open-source ones are free to self-host without per-user fees; source-available licenses add conditions such as user caps or limits on hosted use, so read them before you commit.
Can I self-host an alternative to Firebase with Docker?
Yes. 6 of the 7 apps here publish a Docker image, including Supabase, PocketBase and Appwrite, so you can run them on a home server or VPS with Docker Compose.
Which Firebase alternative is the most actively developed?
Appwrite (BSD-3-Clause), with 20,844 commits in the last 12 months. Activity is a good sign that bugs and security issues get fixed.
How is this list ranked?
Open-source apps come first, then source-available ones and apps whose license appsgit could not verify; within each group, projects with at least 12 commits in the last 12 months come before less active or archived ones, then by GitHub stars.