supabase
Build web, mobile, and AI apps with Postgres, authentication, auto-generated APIs, file storage, and realtime updates.
- Stars
- 115k
- Forks
- 16k
- Last update
- 5 Nov 2026
Overview
Supabase combines a full Postgres database with authentication, REST and GraphQL APIs, file storage, functions, and realtime services. Developers can use its hosted platform without installing anything, develop locally, or self-host it.
Who it's for
Tech stack
Features and benefits
Key features
- Full Postgres database with Dashboard Table Editor and SQL Editor
- Authentication with passwords, magic links, OTP, social sign-in, and SSO
- Row Level Security for controlling access to database rows
- Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs based on your database schema
- Realtime broadcasts, online presence, and database change subscriptions
- File storage with a REST API and Postgres-based permissions
- Database functions and Edge Functions
- AI and vector toolkit, including pgvector for embeddings
- Postgres extensions including PostGIS and pg_cron
- Official client libraries for JavaScript/TypeScript, Flutter, Swift, and Python
Why it helps in Pakistan
- Reduce API development work with endpoints generated from your database schema.
- Combine user identity and row-level permissions to control application data access.
- Build live dashboards and collaboration features without creating a realtime service from scratch.
- Choose between hosted use, local development, and self-hosting.
- Manage tables and queries visually through the Dashboard.
Pakistan use cases
- 01
A Karachi retailer's developers could build an order dashboard that updates when database records change.
- 02
A Lahore software agency could build customer portals with sign-in, row-level access rules, and file uploads.
- 03
An Islamabad education startup could build student accounts and live classroom chat with online presence.
- 04
A Pakistani AI development team could use Postgres and pgvector to store embeddings for its application.
Requirements
- Hardware
- Check the official docs
- Operating system
- Check the official docs
- Skills
- Check the official docs
- Accounts needed
- Sign up for Supabase to use the hosted platform.For self-hosted account requirements, Check the official docs.
Setup guide
Commands are copied from the project's README and official docs.
- 1
Check local prerequisites
Check the official docs for supported operating systems, CLI installation, and local project initialization: https://supabase.com/docs/guides/local-developmentNot fully covered in the README. Check the official docs before running this step.
- 2
Start the prepared local project
Runsupabase start. The documented output includes the local GraphQL URL, Studio URL, and API keys. - 3
Open Studio and explore GraphQL
Open the Studio URL from the command output. Navigate to API Docs > GraphQL > GraphiQL. Create a table through the SQL or Table Editor if your project's schema is empty.
Works with
Use the official supabase-js client library to connect applications to Supabase services.
Use the official supabase-flutter client library.
Use the official supabase-py client library.
Use the official supabase-swift client library.
Google and GitHub sign-in
Supabase Auth lists both as supported social sign-in providers.
Twilio, MessageBird, and Vonage
Supabase Auth lists these third-party providers for phone sign-in.
Database webhooks can send row changes to an external HTTP endpoint.
What it costs
| Software | Free to self-host under the Apache-2.0 licence. |
|---|---|
| Hosting | Hosting costs depend on server resources, storage, and traffic. The supplied sources do not state hardware requirements, so a sized VPS estimate is unavailable; check the official docs and current provider prices. |
| Paid cloud option | An official hosted platform is available. The docs mention paid plans for point-in-time recovery and usage-based Auth charges; check current official pricing. |
FAQ
Is Supabase a complete replacement for Firebase?
The README describes a Firebase-like developer experience but explicitly says Supabase is not a one-to-one mapping of Firebase.
Can I use Supabase without installing it?
Yes. You can sign up for the hosted platform and start using it without installing anything. Local development and self-hosting are also supported.
Is the database standard Postgres?
Yes. Every project gets a full Postgres database, not a Postgres abstraction.
How do I restrict which records users can access?
Use Row Level Security policies with Supabase Auth. Auth tokens identify users, while RLS policies control row-level database access.
Do database backups include uploaded files?
No. The database docs say backups cover the database itself, not objects stored through the Storage API. They also describe daily database backups and point-in-time recovery on paid plans.
Troubleshooting
A GraphQL HTTP request fails.
Check that the endpoint has no trailing slash and that every request includes the project's API key in the apiKey header. For user authentication, pass an Authorization bearer JWT.
GraphiQL cannot explore the schema.
From pg_graphql 1.6.0, introspection is disabled by default. Enable it for the intended schema using the official GraphQL guidance.
The GraphQL API has no application tables.
A new, empty project has no application tables to expose. Create a table using the SQL or Table Editor, then check the schema search path and relevant role permissions.
You cannot find the REST API URL or keys.
In the Dashboard, look under Integrations > Data API for the URL and Settings > API Keys for the keys.
Official links
Get it set up for you
Don't want to install it yourself? A Jugaad maker can set up supabase for your business. Payment is held in Safe Deal until it works.
No maker offers a setup gig for this yet. Post a request and makers will quote.
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Built by supabase and contributors on GitHub. All credit goes to the authors. GitHub stats refresh daily. Jugaad does not host, copy or sell this code.
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