End to end backend server for web, native, and mobile developers 🚀.
- BSD-3-Clause
- PHP
- Docker
- Actively maintained
Low-code & Backend comparison
Appwrite vs Supabase: which should you self-host in 2026?
Pick Appwrite for a document-style backend with broad mobile SDKs and functions in many languages; pick Supabase if you want relational PostgreSQL, SQL access and row-level security.
Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.
Postgres development platform with auth, realtime, storage and edge functions, the open-source Firebase alternative.
- Apache-2.0
- TypeScript
- Docker
- Actively maintained
Head-to-head
Appwrite vs Supabase, side by side
Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.
| Aspect |  Appwrite |  Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| License | BSD-3-Clause | Apache-2.0 |
| Language/stack | PHP (Swoole) services running in Docker | Mix of Elixir, Go and TypeScript services around PostgreSQL |
| Database | Document-style collections API backed by MariaDB | PostgreSQL with SQL, auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs |
| Functions | Serverless functions in many runtimes (Node.js, Python, Dart, PHP, Go and more) | Edge Functions in TypeScript on Deno, plus Postgres functions |
| Standout features | Built-in messaging (email, SMS, push) and site hosting | Row-level security, Postgres extensions such as pgvector, realtime change streams |
| GitHub stars | 57,577 | 111,147 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 10,376 | 6,123 |
| Last commit | Oct 6, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Latest release | 2.3.0Sep 23, 2026 | v1.26.08Aug 7, 2026 |
| Main language | PHP | TypeScript |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| Repository | appwrite/appwrite | supabase/supabase |
Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.
Verdict
Appwrite appeals to mobile and Flutter developers: it offers auth, databases, storage, messaging and serverless functions in many runtimes behind one console and SDKs for most platforms. Supabase is the pick when your data is relational and you want direct SQL, Postgres extensions and row-level security. Both self-host with Docker, and both are heavier than a single-binary backend.
Best for
Choose Appwrite for
Mobile and Flutter apps that want SDKs and functions in many languages.
Best for
Choose Supabase for
Apps built on relational data that want direct PostgreSQL access.
Deploy either in minutes
Not sure yet? Spin up a small VPS or a managed instance, try both for a week, and keep the one that fits.
- Hetzner Cloud (sponsored link, opens in a new tab)from €3.79/moBest price-to-performance VPS in Europe and the US. Ideal for Docker-based apps.
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- Vultr (sponsored link, opens in a new tab)from $2.50/moHourly-billed cloud servers in 30+ regions with one-click Docker and app images.
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Can I write SQL in Appwrite?
Not directly. Appwrite exposes its database through collections and queries in its API, while Supabase gives you full SQL access to PostgreSQL.
Which is easier to self-host?
Both use Docker. Appwrite installs with a single Docker command that generates its Compose setup, and Supabase provides an official Docker Compose file; both run many containers.
Do both have Flutter SDKs?
Yes. Both maintain official Flutter/Dart SDKs as well as web, iOS and Android libraries.
Which is more popular on GitHub, Appwrite or Supabase?
Supabase has 111,147 GitHub stars against 57,577 for Appwrite. Over the last twelve months Appwrite received 10,376 commits and Supabase received 6,123, so Appwrite is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.
