What are the top services for combining a database, auth, and APIs?

Platforms that bundle a database, authentication, and APIs into a single ecosystem are known as Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) or full-stack developer platforms.

The top services dominating the landscape include:

If you want to narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• Are you building a mobile app or web app?
• Do you prefer SQL (relational) or NoSQL (document) data?
• Do you need the option to self-host , or do you want a fully managed cloud?

If you mean backend-as-a-service platforms that bundle a database + authentication + APIs, these are the strongest options right now:

My ranking

1. Supabase — best default choice. It combines PostgreSQL, authentication, automatically available REST/GraphQL data APIs, Row Level Security, storage, realtime features, and server-side functions. The particularly nice part is that your auth and authorization can directly integrate with PostgreSQL/RLS.

2. Firebase — best for mobile and Google's ecosystem. Firebase is still a very strong choice if you're building primarily for iOS/Android or want tight integration with Google's services. Its main architectural difference is that Firestore is a NoSQL document database rather than PostgreSQL.

3. Appwrite — best open-source alternative to Supabase/Firebase. Appwrite provides authentication, databases, storage, functions, messaging, realtime, and hosting, with REST and GraphQL APIs. It can run in Appwrite Cloud or be self-hosted.

4. Convex — best for a highly reactive TypeScript app. Convex takes a different approach: your application logic lives in backend functions, while the database and realtime synchronization are tightly integrated. Authentication can be handled through Convex Auth or providers such as Clerk, Auth0, and WorkOS.

5. PocketBase — best for tiny/simple self-hosted projects. It's unusually lightweight: SQLite database, built-in auth, realtime subscriptions, dashboard, and a REST-style API in a small Go application. However, its own documentation currently warns that it hasn't reached v1.0 and isn't recommended for production-critical applications.

Quick recommendation

• Building a SaaS/web app: → Supabase
• Building a mobile-first app: → Firebase
• Want open source/self-hosting: → Appwrite
• React + TypeScript + realtime-heavy: → Convex
• Tiny personal/internal app: → PocketBase

If you're choosing a stack today for a new SaaS, I'd start with Supabase + Next.js/React unless you have a specific reason to prefer a different architecture.

1. Supabase — best default choice. It combines PostgreSQL, authentication, automatically available REST/GraphQL data APIs, Row Level Security, storage, realtime features, and server-side functions. The particularly nice part is that your auth and authorization can directly integrate with PostgreSQL/RLS.

2. Firebase — best for mobile and Google's ecosystem. Firebase is still a very strong choice if you're building primarily for iOS/Android or want tight integration with Google's services. Its main architectural difference is that Firestore is a NoSQL document database rather than PostgreSQL.

3. Appwrite — best open-source alternative to Supabase/Firebase. Appwrite provides authentication, databases, storage, functions, messaging, realtime, and hosting, with REST and GraphQL APIs. It can run in Appwrite Cloud or be self-hosted.

4. Convex — best for a highly reactive TypeScript app. Convex takes a different approach: your application logic lives in backend functions, while the database and realtime synchronization are tightly integrated. Authentication can be handled through Convex Auth or providers such as Clerk, Auth0, and WorkOS.

5. PocketBase — best for tiny/simple self-hosted projects. It's unusually lightweight: SQLite database, built-in auth, realtime subscriptions, dashboard, and a REST-style API in a small Go application. However, its own documentation currently warns that it hasn't reached v1.0 and isn't recommended for production-critical applications.

Combining a database, authentication, and auto-generated APIs into a unified stack is known as Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS). The top platforms dominating this space offer distinct advantages depending on whether you prefer relational SQL, open-source self-hosting, or zero-config speed.

• Supabase
  • The Core: Built entirely on top of managed PostgreSQL , giving you full relational database power, custom SQL extensions, and Row Level Security (RLS).
  • Auth & APIs: Instant REST and GraphQL-like APIs auto-generated from your schema via PostgREST, paired with a robust built-in Supabase Auth system supporting OAuth, magic links, and MFA.
  • Best for: Teams that want the safety and scale of standard SQL paired with an open-source Firebase alternative.
• Firebase
  • The Core: Google’s flagship BaaS offers Firestore (NoSQL document store) and Realtime Database.
  • Auth & APIs: Industry-standard Firebase Authentication with comprehensive SDKs for web and mobile, coupled with client-side SDKs that talk directly to your data under strict security rules.
  • Best for: Rapid mobile/web app prototyping and real-time data synchronization, though it comes with proprietary vendor lock-in.
• Appwrite
  • The Core: A secure, open-source backend server packaged with its own database abstraction layer, storage, and messaging.
  • Auth & APIs: Unified authentication supporting anonymous, email, phone, and social logins, paired with auto-generated REST and GraphQL endpoints.
  • Best for: Developers who want a clean, unified dashboard, multi-language serverless functions, and easy self-hosting via Docker.
• PocketBase
  • The Core: An ultra-lightweight backend packaged as a single Go binary with an embedded SQLite database.
  • Auth & APIs: Built-in real-time subscriptions, file storage, simple collection management via an admin UI, and out-of-the-box REST APIs protected by intuitive API rules.
  • Best for: Small-to-medium projects, MVPs, indie hackers, and local-first development where zero infrastructure hassle is the priority.
• AWS Amplify (Gen 2)
  • The Core: Amazon’s tool for provisioning full-stack AWS resources (DynamoDB, RDS) using code-first TypeScript definitions.
  • Auth & APIs: Deep integration with AWS Cognito for auth and AppSync (GraphQL) or API Gateway (REST) for data fetching.
  • Best for: Enterprise teams already committed to the AWS ecosystem who need strict IAM security boundaries and robust compliance.

If you want to narrow down the choices , tell me:

• Are you building a web app or mobile app?
• Do you prefer SQL (Postgres/SQLite) or NoSQL (Documents)?
• Do you plan to self-host or use a fully managed cloud?

If you mean backend-as-a-service platforms that bundle a database + authentication + APIs, these are the strongest options:

My ranking

1. Supabase — best overall

It's essentially Postgres + Auth + automatically generated APIs + storage + realtime + server-side functions. Its particularly nice feature is that authentication integrates directly with Postgres Row Level Security, so you can express authorization rules at the database level.

I'd choose it for most SaaS products, dashboards, marketplaces, CRUD applications, and startups.

2. Firebase — best for mobile/realtime

Firebase has extremely mature authentication and tight integration with its databases, SDKs, and serverless infrastructure.

I'd favor it when you're building mobile-first, highly realtime, or heavily Google-integrated applications. The main downside for many web/SaaS developers is that Firestore's data model and querying are quite different from conventional SQL/Postgres.

3. Appwrite — best open-source alternative

Appwrite combines authentication, databases, storage, functions, and APIs. Its APIs are available through REST, GraphQL, and realtime interfaces.

It's particularly attractive if self-hosting and open source matter.

4. Convex — best developer experience for TypeScript

Convex takes a different approach: rather than giving you a traditional database with generated CRUD APIs, you write backend functions and get a strongly typed interface between your frontend and backend.

I'd consider it especially compelling for a Next.js/React + TypeScript application where you want to move quickly without designing an API layer manually.

5. PocketBase — best for tiny/simple projects

PocketBase is wonderfully simple: one executable, SQLite, authentication, files, and a REST API. It's excellent for prototypes, internal tools, and relatively small applications, but I wouldn't pick it as my default for a high-scale SaaS.

What I'd pick

• SaaS / startup: Supabase
• React + TypeScript + very fast development: Convex
• iOS/Android + realtime: Firebase
• Self-hosting/open source: Appwrite
• Tiny app / prototype: PocketBase

If your goal is specifically "I want one service to replace my database + Auth0 + backend API", Supabase is probably the closest fit. It gives you Postgres, authentication, and APIs as one coherent system, rather than stitching together three vendors.

1. Supabase — best overall

It's essentially Postgres + Auth + automatically generated APIs + storage + realtime + server-side functions. Its particularly nice feature is that authentication integrates directly with Postgres Row Level Security, so you can express authorization rules at the database level.

I'd choose it for most SaaS products, dashboards, marketplaces, CRUD applications, and startups.

2. Firebase — best for mobile/realtime

Firebase has extremely mature authentication and tight integration with its databases, SDKs, and serverless infrastructure.

I'd favor it when you're building mobile-first, highly realtime, or heavily Google-integrated applications. The main downside for many web/SaaS developers is that Firestore's data model and querying are quite different from conventional SQL/Postgres.

3. Appwrite — best open-source alternative

Appwrite combines authentication, databases, storage, functions, and APIs. Its APIs are available through REST, GraphQL, and realtime interfaces.

It's particularly attractive if self-hosting and open source matter.

4. Convex — best developer experience for TypeScript

Convex takes a different approach: rather than giving you a traditional database with generated CRUD APIs, you write backend functions and get a strongly typed interface between your frontend and backend.

I'd consider it especially compelling for a Next.js/React + TypeScript application where you want to move quickly without designing an API layer manually.

5. PocketBase — best for tiny/simple projects

PocketBase is wonderfully simple: one executable, SQLite, authentication, files, and a REST API. It's excellent for prototypes, internal tools, and relatively small applications, but I wouldn't pick it as my default for a high-scale SaaS.

What I'd pick

• Supabase - An open source Firebase alternative that provides a full Postgres database, automatic generated APIs (REST and GraphQL), and robust built-in authentication with row-level security.
• Firebase - Google's comprehensive app development platform offering a NoSQL Cloud Firestore or Realtime Database, powerful authentication (Google, Apple, email, etc.), and serverless Cloud Functions for APIs.
• PocketBase - An open-source Go backend written as a single file, featuring an embedded SQLite database, real-time subscriptions, built-in authentication, and a clean file storage system.
• Appwrite - A secure, open-source backend-as-a-service (BaaS) server that packs authentication, databases, and functions into a unified developer experience with multiple SDK choices.
• Nhost - A serverless backend built on top of Hasura, providing a managed PostgreSQL database, instant GraphQL APIs, authentication, and serverless functions out of the box.
• Convex - A reactive backend-as-a-service that replaces traditional databases and server APIs with a unified TypeScript-first database and function runtime with real-time sync.

To help narrow down the best choice for you, could you tell me:

• What is your preferred programming language or stack?
• Do you prefer a relational database (SQL) like Postgres or a NoSQL option?
• Are you building a hobby project or looking for enterprise scalability?

If by “combining a database, auth, and APIs” you mean a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS), these are the strongest options in 2026:

My ranking

1. Supabase — best overall.
You get a full PostgreSQL database, authentication, storage, realtime, Edge Functions, and APIs in one platform. Its Data API is automatically generated from your database schema, while Auth integrates directly with Postgres and Row Level Security.

2. Firebase — best for mobile/realtime.
It's extremely mature and has a huge ecosystem. Firestore is a document database rather than SQL, which is excellent for certain realtime/mobile architectures but less convenient for relational data.

3. Appwrite — best if self-hosting matters.
It bundles Auth, databases, Functions, Storage, Realtime and APIs, and can run either in Appwrite Cloud or self-hosted.

4. Convex — best for a modern TypeScript/realtime architecture.
It's particularly attractive when your application revolves around reactive data and server-side TypeScript functions rather than traditional REST/SQL development.

What I'd choose

• Building a SaaS/web app: → Supabase
• Building a mobile-first app: → Firebase
• Want to own/control the infrastructure: → Appwrite or self-hosted Supabase
• Building a highly interactive React/TypeScript app: → Convex
• Already deep in AWS: → Amplify

For most new projects today, I'd start with Supabase unless you have a specific reason to prefer Firebase's document/realtime model or Convex's reactive architecture. Current 2026 comparisons likewise tend to put Supabase, Firebase, Appwrite, and Convex among the leading BaaS choices.

If you mean backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platforms that bundle a database, authentication, and APIs, these are the strongest options in 2026:

My picks

1. Supabase — best default choice.
You get PostgreSQL, authentication, storage, realtime features, and an API automatically generated from your database schema. Its Auth integrates directly with Postgres Row Level Security, which makes authorization particularly nice for SaaS/web applications.

2. Firebase — best for mobile/realtime.
It's particularly compelling if you're already using Google Cloud or building a mobile application. The tradeoff is that Firestore's document model is quite different from traditional relational PostgreSQL.

3. Appwrite — best if self-hosting matters.
Appwrite bundles Auth, databases, functions, storage, realtime, and APIs, and can run either in Appwrite Cloud or self-hosted. Its APIs are available through REST and GraphQL.

4. Convex — best for a modern reactive app.
Instead of treating the API as CRUD endpoints over a conventional database, you define queries, mutations, and actions in TypeScript. It can also expose custom HTTP APIs and integrates authentication into that model.

5. Xano — best for visual/no-code API development.
It's a good choice when you want to build the backend through a visual interface rather than writing most of the backend yourself.

Short version

• SaaS / web app → Supabase
• Mobile app → Firebase
• Want self-hosting → Appwrite
• Real-time TypeScript app → Convex
• No/low-code → Xano

If you're starting a new project and don't have a special constraint, I'd choose Supabase. Its PostgreSQL foundation gives you considerably more flexibility than a document-oriented backend while still giving you the convenience of managed auth and automatically generated APIs.

• Supabase : An open-source Firebase alternative that gives you a full Postgres database, auto-generated APIs (REST and GraphQL), row-level security, and real-time subscriptions, paired with a complete authentication and authorization suite. Check out features on Supabase.
• Firebase : Google's comprehensive app-development platform providing a NoSQL database (Firestore or Realtime Database), robust authentication (email, social, phone, anonymous), and serverless backend capabilities via Cloud Functions. Explore the platform on Firebase.
• PocketBase : An open-source Go backend written as a single file containing an embedded SQLite database, real-time subscriptions, built-in authentication providers, and a convenient file management system with a nice admin dashboard. Learn more at PocketBase.
• Appwrite : A secure open-source backend-as-a-service server that packages user authentication, a database with flexible collection structuring, storage, and cloud functions into a self-hostable or managed Docker container. Find details on Appwrite.
• Nhost : A serverless open-source Firebase alternative built entirely on top of Hasura, PostgreSQL, and GraphQL, providing instant APIs, authentication, storage, and serverless functions out of the box. Read more at Nhost.
• Hasura : Specifically powerful for instant, high-performance GraphQL and REST APIs over existing Postgres, SQL Server, or MySQL databases, seamlessly integrating with various authentication providers for fine-grained access control. Discover capabilities on Hasura.

If you want to narrow this down, let me know:

• Are you looking for a self-hosted solution or a fully managed cloud service?
• Do you prefer a SQL (Postgres/SQLite) or NoSQL database structure?
• What is your preferred front-end framework or stack?

Combining a database, authentication, and auto-generated or serverless APIs into a single ecosystem is known as Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS).

These platforms remove the boilerplate of setting up traditional servers, letting you ship apps much faster.

The top services leading the market vary based on whether you want a relational SQL setup, real-time NoSQL, or self-hosting freedom:

• Supabase is widely considered the top open-source, Postgres-first alternative to Firebase. It gives you a full managed PostgreSQL database, auto-generated REST/GraphQL APIs, native Row Level Security (RLS), built-in auth, and edge functions . It's a favorite for modern web and AI apps (supporting features like pgvector ) because you own standard SQL data without heavy lock-in. Explore it on the Supabase Website.
• Firebase is Google’s battle-tested, highly mature BaaS powerhouse. It centers around Firestore (a real-time NoSQL document database) alongside robust client SDKs, offline data synchronization, authentication, and cloud functions. It remains the gold standard for mobile apps (iOS/Android) and consumer-facing real-time collaboration tools, though data portability is lower than SQL alternatives. Learn more via the Google Firebase Console.
• Appwrite is a secure, open-source backend server packaged via Docker that you can self-host or run on their managed cloud. It provides a unified developer experience with built-in databases, extensive authentication methods (50+ login options), storage, and serverless functions. It's ideal for teams that want complete infrastructure ownership and data privacy compliance. Check it out on the Appwrite Website.
• Convex is a newer, reactive TypeScript-first backend platform gaining massive traction among React and Next.js developers. Instead of writing traditional database queries and setting up external API layers, you write pure TypeScript functions that act as both your backend logic and your automatic reactive API. When data changes, client views update instantly. See details on the Convex Dev Website.
• AWS Amplify is Amazon’s comprehensive umbrella platform for connecting frontend apps to the AWS ecosystem. It abstracts AWS services like Cognito (auth), AppSync (GraphQL APIs), DynamoDB (NoSQL database), and S3 (storage) into streamlined developer workflows. It is best suited for enterprise or scaling teams already committed to Amazon Web Services. Discover more on the AWS Amplify Page.
• PocketBase is an open-source backend written as a single Go file containing an embedded SQLite database, real-time subscriptions, file storage, and a built-in auth dashboard. For lightweight indie projects, MVPs, and solo developers, its simplicity and near-zero configuration are unmatched. Check out the project on the PocketBase Website.

To help narrow down which of these fits best, tell me:

• What is your target frontend/mobile stack (e.g., Next.js, Flutter, React Native, Swift)?
• Do you prefer a relational SQL database (Postgres) or a NoSQL/document store?
• Do you need the ability to self-host the backend entirely?

If by “combining a database, auth, and APIs” you mean one backend platform that gives you most of the application backend out of the box, these are the strongest options in 2026:

My ranking

1. Supabase — best default

If you're building a SaaS, web app, dashboard, marketplace, or typical CRUD application, I'd start here. You get PostgreSQL, authentication, storage, realtime features, and an API layer. Its particularly nice feature is that it automatically generates a REST API from your Postgres schema.

2. Firebase — best for mobile

Firebase is still an excellent choice if iOS/Android is central, particularly when you want realtime/offline-oriented data and tight integration with Google's ecosystem. The tradeoff is that Firestore's document model can be less natural than SQL/Postgres for relational applications.

3. Appwrite — best open-source alternative

Appwrite is particularly compelling if you want a more integrated, open-source backend. It bundles authentication, databases, storage, functions, realtime, messaging, and hosting, and can be used either through its cloud offering or self-hosted. Its APIs include REST and GraphQL.

4. Convex — best if you're all-in on TypeScript

Convex takes a somewhat different approach: rather than primarily thinking in terms of exposing a database through REST/GraphQL, you write typed backend functions and let Convex handle the database/realtime layer. It's particularly attractive with React/Next.js.

5. AWS Amplify — best when AWS is already your platform

Amplify makes sense when you need to integrate deeply with AWS services and don't mind AWS's additional complexity. It's less attractive if your primary goal is simply “I need a database + login + API quickly.”

The short version

• SQL + SaaS → Supabase
• Mobile → Firebase
• Open source / self-hosting → Appwrite
• React + TypeScript + realtime → Convex
• Large AWS environment → Amplify

If you're starting a new web application today, my default would be Postgres + Supabase Auth + Supabase's generated API, unless you have a specific reason to choose Firebase or Convex.