Data as of Oct 5, 2026Based on 218 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode
Reviewed by Dimitry Apollonsky ·
For most developers needing a database plus cloud functions, Supabase is the best fit: a Postgres-based, open-source backend with managed SQL, real-time subscriptions, auth and Edge Functions. Choose Appwrite if you need full self-hosting and data control, or Convex if you're building a TypeScript-first reactive real-time app.
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If by “database + cloud functions” you mean a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform where you can get a managed database, server-side functions, auth, storage, and APIs without assembling everything yourself, the leading options in 2026 are:
| Platform | Database model | Functions | Particularly suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | PostgreSQL | Edge Functions | SQL-first web/SaaS apps |
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| Firestore / Realtime Database |
| Cloud Functions |
| Mobile apps, realtime apps |
| AWS Amplify | AWS databases/services | Lambda | Teams already using AWS |
| Appwrite | Document database | Cloud Functions | Open-source/self-hosted backends |
| Convex | Reactive document DB | TypeScript server functions | Realtime/collaborative apps |
Supabase is probably the most straightforward choice if you want Postgres + serverless functions. Each project gets a Postgres database, with Auth, Storage, Realtime, REST APIs, and Edge Functions integrated around it.
Its biggest attraction is that your underlying data is standard PostgreSQL rather than a proprietary database model.
Firebase is particularly established for mobile and realtime applications. Firestore provides a NoSQL document database, while Cloud Functions provides server-side event/HTTP-driven code.
It has a large ecosystem, particularly around Android, iOS, Flutter, notifications, analytics, and Google Cloud.
AWS Amplify is more of an AWS application-development layer than a standalone BaaS. It can provision and connect databases, authentication, storage, APIs, and Lambda functions, while letting you extend the application with AWS CDK.
It's especially relevant if your organization already uses AWS and wants the application to remain deeply integrated with AWS infrastructure.
Appwrite is an interesting choice if open source and self-hosting matter. It provides databases, authentication, storage, functions, realtime capabilities, and other backend services, and can be run yourself rather than exclusively on the vendor's cloud.
Convex takes a somewhat different approach: the database and server functions are designed together around TypeScript, with reactive queries that automatically update as data changes. That's compelling for collaborative and highly interactive applications.
One interesting current data point: Supabase's 2026 startup survey reports that 80% of surveyed startups use some form of Postgres, with Supabase itself reported as the database choice by 49% of respondents. That's Supabase's own survey, so it shouldn't be treated as an independent market-share measurement.
If you tell me what you're building (SaaS, mobile app, AI app, internal tool, etc.) and your preferred language, I can compare the 2–3 most relevant platforms on pricing, scalability, SQL/NoSQL, functions, auth, and vendor lock-in.
When you're looking to build modern applications with a blend of serverless/cloud functions and managed databases, several powerhouse platforms lead the market. They cater to everything from ultra-fast edge execution to massive enterprise scale.
To help narrow down which platform fits best, tell me:
When developers look for a combined stack of managed databases and serverless cloud/edge functions , the leading platforms generally fall into two categories: Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) ecosystems that give you out-of-the-box integrated tools, and Hyperscale/Edge Cloud Providers that let you mix and match robust serverless primitives.
The leading platforms categorized by their strengths include:
To help narrow down which platform fits best, tell me:
The leading developer platforms that combine a managed database + serverless/cloud functions are:
Quick distinction: PostgreSQL → Supabase; mobile/realtime → Firebase; AWS ecosystem → Amplify; self-hosting → Appwrite; TypeScript/reactive apps → Convex.
If you mean backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platforms that combine a database with serverless/cloud functions, the main options in 2026 are:
| Platform | Database | Functions | Particularly suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | PostgreSQL | Edge Functions (TypeScript/Deno) | SQL-first web apps, SaaS, startups |
| Firebase | Firestore / Realtime Database | Cloud Functions | Mobile apps, realtime apps, Google ecosystem |
| Appwrite | Appwrite Databases | Appwrite Functions | Open-source/self-hosted BaaS |
| AWS Amplify | DynamoDB and other AWS databases | AWS Lambda | Teams already invested in AWS |
| Convex | Reactive document database | TypeScript functions | TypeScript/React apps needing realtime data |
A useful rule of thumb: if your application is fundamentally relational and you like SQL, look closely at Supabase; if it's mobile/realtime and you're comfortable with Google's ecosystem, Firebase is a natural candidate; if self-hosting matters, Appwrite is worth investigating; and if you're already deeply invested in AWS, Amplify can fit naturally.
If you tell me your stack (e.g. Next.js, React Native, Python, Go) and whether you need Postgres vs NoSQL, realtime, auth, queues, or scheduled jobs, I can narrow these down to the relevant 2–3 platforms.
The leading platforms for developers needing an integrated database and serverless cloud functions include Firebase, Supabase, AWS (Amplify/Lambda), and Convex.
These Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) and cloud platforms remove the friction of managing separate infrastructure by coupling scalable data storage with serverless execution environments.
pgvector , and Supabase Edge Functions (Deno-powered TypeScript functions) that trigger from database events or HTTP requests.| Platform | Core Database Type | Cloud Function Model | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | PostgreSQL | Deno (Edge Functions) | Relational data, SQL lovers, and AI/Vector apps |
| Firebase | NoSQL Document | Node.js / Python | Real-time mobile & web frontends |
If you can share your preferred programming language and whether your app is mobile or web-focused , I can recommend the exact platform that fits your tech stack.
If you mean backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platforms that combine a database with serverless/cloud functions, the leading options in 2026 are:
| Platform | Database | Functions | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | PostgreSQL | Edge Functions | Web apps, SaaS, SQL-first teams |
| Firebase | Firestore / Realtime Database | Cloud Functions | Mobile, realtime, Google ecosystem |
| AWS Amplify | DynamoDB, Aurora, etc. | AWS Lambda | Teams already using AWS |
| Appwrite | Document database | Cloud Functions | Open-source/self-hosted backends |
| Convex | Reactive document DB | Server functions | TypeScript-heavy, realtime apps |
For a new web/SaaS project: Supabase For a mobile-first app: Firebase For an AWS enterprise: Amplify For self-hosting: Appwrite For a highly reactive TypeScript app: Convex
If your main requirement is specifically “Postgres + serverless functions + auth + storage, with minimal DevOps,” Supabase is probably the strongest starting point. Its Edge Functions can directly access Postgres and Supabase Auth/Storage, and they can be deployed globally.
If you tell me whether you're building a SaaS, mobile app, AI app, or API/backend, I can compare the top 3 on pricing, scalability, cold starts, database performance, vendor lock-in, and developer experience.
For developers seeking an integrated stack combining managed databases and serverless cloud/edge functions (often categorized as Backend-as-a-Service or specialized application platforms), several leading options stand out based on architecture and ecosystem:
If you'd like to narrow down the best fit, tell me:
When looking for platforms that bundle a database with cloud (or serverless/edge) functions, developers generally choose between Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) ecosystems, JAMstack/Web platforms , or Hyperscale Cloud Providers.
To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:
If you mean developer-focused platforms that combine a managed database with serverless/cloud functions, the leading choices are:
| Platform | Database | Functions / compute | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | PostgreSQL | Edge Functions | Full-stack apps, startups, SQL/Postgres teams |
| Firebase | Firestore / Realtime Database | Cloud Functions | Mobile/web apps, especially Google/Flutter ecosystems |
| Amazon Web Services | DynamoDB, Aurora, RDS, etc. | AWS Lambda | Production-scale systems and maximum cloud flexibility |
| Neon | Serverless PostgreSQL | Neon Functions | Postgres-first applications, branching, AI/agent workloads |
| Vercel | Typically external DB | Serverless/Edge Functions | Next.js and frontend-heavy applications |
If you're choosing one platform today for a typical SaaS/web application, I'd shortlist Supabase vs. Neon + Vercel vs. AWS, with Supabase generally offering the simplest all-in-one experience.
| Convex | Proprietary Document | TypeScript Functions | Reactive, collaborative web apps |
| AWS | Polyglot (SQL/NoSQL) | Lambda (Multi-language) | Highly complex, enterprise-grade architectures |
| Appwrite | Document / MariaDB | Multi-language Runtime | Self-hosted and privacy-focused stacks |
