PocketBase
For one modest app, a single local binary covers data, auth, files, realtime, and an admin UI; functions are the missing piece.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- MIT
- Hosting Model
- Self-host (your server)
- Platforms
- desktopself-hostedone-click install
- Installation
- Download one platform binary and run `pocketbase serve`; build from Go source only for custom extensions
- Operational Setup
- It installs unusually cleanly, but a public deployment still needs process supervision, HTTPS/reverse proxying, backups of `pb_data`, and a deliberate upgrade routine.
- Where Your Data Lives
- Collections, auth records, settings, and application data live in SQLite files under `pb_data`; uploaded files live under `pb_data/storage` by default or in configured S3-compatible storage, and schema migrations can be kept as JavaScript files in `pb_migrations`.
- The Catch / Trade-off
- PocketBase is excellent for one modest app, but a single SQLite server with no built-in functions runtime cannot match Firebase's offline SDKs, global scaling, messaging, analytics, or managed operations.
Replaces 2 paid apps
PocketBase FAQ
Common questions
Is PocketBase free and open source?+
PocketBase is an open-source tool licensed under MIT that runs on self-host. For one modest app, a single local binary covers data, auth, files, realtime, and an admin UI; functions are the missing piece.
What paid software does PocketBase replace?+
PocketBase serves as a free replacement for 2 paid SaaS applications: Firebase Blaze, Supabase Pro.
How do you install and set up PocketBase?+
Installation: Download one platform binary and run `pocketbase serve`; build from Go source only for custom extensions. Setup notes: It installs unusually cleanly, but a public deployment still needs process supervision, HTTPS/reverse proxying, backups of `pb_data`, and a deliberate upgrade routine.
What is the catch or trade-off with PocketBase?+
PocketBase is excellent for one modest app, but a single SQLite server with no built-in functions runtime cannot match Firebase's offline SDKs, global scaling, messaging, analytics, or managed operations.