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Best / Backend-as-a-service

Best open-source Backend-as-a-service

The best self-hosted BaaS in the c17.io catalog is PocketBase (one MIT Go binary — how c17.io itself ships), with Supabase when you want Postgres and will run a multi-service compose, Appwrite as a BSD-3-Clause Firebase-shaped API, and Directus when you want a data studio (MSCL-1.0-GPL, not OSI). App login without a BaaS cluster stays on /stacks/auth-without-the-bill.

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Ranked picks

  1. 1

    PocketBase

    MIT realtime backend in one Go file — the published c17 stack.

    When to pick it: An app that fits SQLite on one node.

    61,483 stars in the catalog

  2. 2

    Supabase

    Apache-2.0 Postgres/BaaS. Self-host is several services; hosted plans are a meter — /compare/supabase-vs-pocketbase.

    When to pick it: Postgres as the app database.

    111,734 stars in the catalog

  3. 3

    Appwrite

    BSD-3-Clause backend: auth, databases, storage, functions — /compare/supabase-vs-appwrite.

    When to pick it: A Firebase-shaped API without betting the schema on Postgres.

    57,723 stars in the catalog

  4. 4

    Directus

    Turns a database into an API and admin. License is MSCL-1.0-GPL, not OSI — already the CMS caveat.

    When to pick it: A source-available data studio, not the OSS path.

    38,544 stars in the catalog

How they compare

ToolLicenseSelf-hostBest for
PocketBaseMIT LicenseEasyAn app that fits SQLite on one node.
SupabaseApache License 2.0MediumPostgres as the app database.
AppwriteBSD-3-ClauseMediumA Firebase-shaped API without betting the schema on Postgres.
DirectusMSCL-1.0-GPLMediumA source-available data studio, not the OSS path.

Related pages

FAQ

PocketBase or Supabase?
PocketBase if you want one binary (the published stack). Supabase if you want Postgres and accept a compose — /compare/supabase-vs-pocketbase.
Why not Directus as the default?
Useful, and not OSI open source. PocketBase is MIT. Payload and Strapi Community stay on /best/cms.
Are these free?
PocketBase is MIT. Supabase's listed repo is Apache-2.0. Appwrite is BSD-3-Clause. Directus is source-available. You pay hosting or the vendor cloud. Template users never pay c17.
How do I deploy PocketBase?
Open /stacks/go-pocketbase-htmx. Persist /data, bind 0.0.0.0:$PORT.

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