PocketBase
An open-source backend in a single Go binary, with SQLite, auth, file storage and realtime.
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About PocketBase
PocketBase packs a complete small-app backend into one executable: an embedded SQLite database, user authentication with OAuth providers, file storage, realtime subscriptions and an admin dashboard. You download the binary, run it on any cheap server and you have a REST API with access rules defined in the dashboard. It can also be used as a Go framework, or extended with JavaScript hooks, when you need custom logic. The appeal is how little there is to operate: no separate database server, no containers required, and backups are a matter of copying files. The limits are deliberate. It scales only vertically on a single server, supports only SQLite, and is a volunteer-run personal project with no company, paid support or hosted cloud behind it, and it has not yet reached version 1.0. It is free and MIT-licensed, and runs on Linux, macOS and Windows servers.
Best for: Solo developers and small apps that want a full backend on one cheap server.
Pros and cons
What works
- One binary with no external database or dependencies
- Built-in admin dashboard, auth and realtime
- Free and MIT-licensed
- Easy to back up and move between servers
Why people leave
- Scales only on a single server
- SQLite only, with no plans for other databases
- No company, hosted cloud or paid support behind it
- Pre-1.0, so upgrades can include breaking changes
Top PocketBase alternatives
See all 5- 1
Supabase66.5Managed Postgres with the same feature set when you outgrow a single SQLite server.
- 2
Appwrite62.6Self-hosted backend with more services and a company behind it, at the cost of a heavier stack.
- 3
Firebase59.6Fully managed and globally scaled if you no longer want to run your own server.
- 4
Parse Platform57.2Mature open-source backend server that runs on MongoDB or Postgres and scales horizontally.
- 5
Turso55.3Hosted SQLite-compatible database if you like SQLite but want a managed service.
Why people left PocketBase
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PocketBase: common questions
Is PocketBase free?
Yes. PocketBase is free, open-source software that you can host yourself.
Is PocketBase open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at pocketbase/pocketbase. You can also run it on your own server.
What platforms does PocketBase run on?
PocketBase is available for Self-hosted, Linux, macOS and Windows.
What are the best alternatives to PocketBase?
The highest-ranked PocketBase alternatives right now are Supabase, Appwrite and Firebase. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.