Supabase
Add a Postgres database and sign-in to a small app with Supabase
An open-source-based backend with a Postgres database, authentication, APIs and storage. A practical first backend for a web or mobile prototype.
Written from the tool's official pages, listed under Official sources at the end of this guide. Check them for current features, limits and terms.
Try it (opens in a new tab)Steps to try
- Write down the data your app stores and who may read or change each part before you create anything.
- Create a project on the official site and follow the quickstart for your framework from the getting-started page, such as Next.js, React or Flutter.
- Create a table with test rows only, and read it from the app using the client library shown in the quickstart.
- Turn on row level security for tables and write policies that match your notes. Test with signed-in and signed-out users.
- Read the API keys page to learn which key is safe in a browser and which must stay on a server, and store secrets in environment configuration, not source code.
- Use the Supabase CLI for local development as the docs describe, and keep schema changes in version control.
Limitations
Misconfigured access rules can expose data, so security needs deliberate testing. Backups, migrations, scaling and costs are your responsibility to learn. AI tools that write database changes need review.
Pricing
The docs describe a hosted platform with free and paid tiers and usage-based limits. Check the official pricing page for current project limits and what a free project includes before relying on it.
Privacy and data
Your app's users' data will sit in a database you configure. Use synthetic data during development, understand where data is stored, and consider applicable privacy law and your own terms before collecting real personal information. Never share service keys in prompts or repos.
About the sources
Based on the vendor's published documentation, not hands-on testing. Access rules and security were not tested.
Alternatives
Firebase, a plain managed Postgres database with your own API, or a platform bundled with your app builder are alternatives.
Official sources
The official pages this guide was written from. Read them for current features, limits and terms.