AppWrite vs. Supabase: A Comprehensive Comparison for 2024
Choosing between AppWrite and Supabase for your backend infrastructure? This detailed comparison covers everything you need to know about these popular Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platforms to make an informed decision.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Database: AppWrite uses MariaDB, Supabase uses PostgreSQL
- Hosting Options: Both offer cloud and self-hosted solutions
- Language Support: AppWrite supports 10+ languages, Supabase focuses on TypeScript
- Performance: AppWrite shows better performance in stress tests
- Pricing Model: Both offer free tiers with different scaling options
Performance and Scalability Benchmarks
Recent performance tests reveal significant differences between these platforms:
Self-Hosted Performance (€5/month Server)
- AppWrite: Efficiently handles 2,000+ daily users
- Supabase: Shows performance limitations at higher user loads
Enterprise-Grade Performance (€30/month Server)
- AppWrite: Successfully manages 250 concurrent users
- Supabase: Reaches capacity at 45 simultaneous users
Stress Test Results
- AppWrite:
- Peak: 6,800 virtual users
- Request handling: 100,000
- Average response time: 3 seconds
- Supabase:
- Peak: 3,000 virtual users
- Request handling: 59,000
- Average response time: 6 seconds
Feature Comparison
Core Features
Both platforms provide essential backend services:
- Authentication
- Database management
- File storage
- Serverless functions
- Real-time capabilities
Unique Features
AppWrite Advantages
- Multi-language support for serverless functions
- Built-in messaging system (SMS, email, push notifications)
- More flexible self-hosting options
- Better resource efficiency
Supabase Advantages
- Native PostgreSQL support
- Advanced SQL capabilities
- Strong cloud optimization
- Robust database features
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Self-Hosted Setup
- AppWrite demonstrates superior resource efficiency
- Lower operational costs for similar workloads
- Better performance-to-cost ratio
Cloud Hosting
- Both platforms offer competitive pricing
- Supabase excels in cloud-native features
- AppWrite provides more flexible scaling options
Making Your Choice
Choose AppWrite If You Need:
- Maximum performance and scalability
- Cost-effective self-hosting
- Support for multiple programming languages
- Integrated messaging capabilities
- Simpler setup and maintenance
Choose Supabase If You Need:
- PostgreSQL-specific features
- Cloud-optimized infrastructure
- Advanced SQL capabilities
- Strong TypeScript integration
- Managed cloud service
My Personal Choice
For my upcoming project, I’ve decided to use Supabase primarily because:
- PostgreSQL database requirements
- Preference for cloud-hosted solutions
- Positive feedback from colleagues
- Strong TypeScript integration
I’ll be documenting my experience with Supabase in future posts, focusing on real-world implementation challenges and solutions.
Stay Updated
Subscribe to my blog for upcoming posts about:
- Detailed Supabase implementation guides
- Performance optimization tips
- Real-world use cases and solutions
- Comparison with other backend services