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Spreadsheets · head to head

Budibase vs PocketBase

Budibase logo

Budibase

Spreadsheets

Build business apps in minutes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PocketBase logo

PocketBase

APIs

Open-source backend with REST API, real-time subscriptions and Admin UI

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Budibase cloud plans are metered on automation actions, from 5,000 a month on Pro to 250,000 on Business; PocketBase requires technical expertise to deploy and maintain
  • They diverge on capability: Budibase covers Drag-and-drop builder, PocketBase covers Real-time subscriptions.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Budibase and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Budibase and PocketBase differ
AttributeBudibasePocketBase
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Self-hostedLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
CategorySpreadsheetsAPIs
Founded20192021

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Budibase

  • Drag-and-drop builder
  • Database design
  • User management
  • Custom code
  • Workflows
  • Responsive design
  • 100+ integrations
  • Databases

Only in PocketBase

  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Admin UI
  • SQLite
  • File storage
  • Go support
  • Docker support

Both cover

  • REST API
  • REST API
  • Webhooks
  • Self-hosted support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Budibase

  • Building internal tools over existing databasesnot PocketBase
  • Self-hosting an open source low-code platformnot PocketBase
  • Admin panels and CRUD apps for operations teamsnot PocketBase
  • Automations triggered by data changesnot PocketBase

PocketBase

  • Embedded realtime database with REST APInot Budibase
  • Backend-as-a-service for single-file deploymentsnot Budibase
  • Rapid application development with email/OAuth2 authenticationnot Budibase
  • File storage and media attachment managementnot Budibase
  • Lightweight alternative to Firebase or traditional backend infrastructurenot Budibase
  • Go and JavaScript customisable application frameworknot Budibase

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Budibase

  • Cloud plans are metered on automation actions, from 5,000 a month on Pro to 250,000 on Business
  • Creator seats are limited and cost $50 each beyond the included count
  • End users are $5 per user per month on top of the plan
  • Custom branding needs Premium, SSO enforcement and environment variables need Business, and audit logs are Enterprise only
  • Log retention is tiered from 1 day on Pro to 365 days on Enterprise
  • Monthly billing costs 20 percent more than annual

PocketBase

  • Requires technical expertise to deploy and maintain
  • No built-in hosting provided
  • Community support only

Pricing, plan by plan

Budibase

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Self-hosted
    • Community support
  • FreeFree
    • Cloud hosted
    • Limited features
  • Premium$50/month
    • Advanced features
    • Email support

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Budibase if

  • You need drag-and-drop builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted.
  • You also want database design.
Budibase review

Choose PocketBase if

  • You need real-time subscriptions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
  • You also want admin ui.
PocketBase review

Questions people ask

Is Budibase or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Budibase starts at Free and PocketBase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Budibase or PocketBase?
Budibase starts at Free and PocketBase at Free.
Does Budibase or PocketBase run on more platforms?
Budibase runs on Web, Self-hosted. PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
Can I use Budibase for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Budibase best used for?
Budibase is most often used for building internal tools over existing databases, self-hosting an open source low-code platform, admin panels and crud apps for operations teams, automations triggered by data changes. Of those, building internal tools over existing databases and self-hosting an open source low-code platform are not what PocketBase is typically brought in for.
What can Budibase do that PocketBase cannot?
Budibase covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database design, User management, Custom code. PocketBase covers Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite, File storage. Both handle REST API, REST API, Webhooks, Self-hosted support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Budibase: What happens if I exceed the monthly action limit on my plan?

Actions are hard monthly limits. Once you reach the limit on your plan (5K for Pro, 20K for Premium, 250K for Business), you must upgrade to a higher tier to continue using the service.

Source
PocketBase: How much does PocketBase cost?

PocketBase is completely free and open-source. It is a self-hosted backend solution with database, authentication, and file storage capabilities at no cost.

Source
Budibase: Is there a charge for additional users beyond what is included in my plan?

Yes. Each plan includes a limited number of creators (1 for Pro, expandable for Premium, 3 for Business), but end users are charged at $5 per user per month as an add-on.

Source
PocketBase: Is PocketBase open-source?

Yes, PocketBase is open-source software. You can download, modify, and deploy it yourself at no cost with no licensing restrictions.

Source
Budibase: How much extra do I pay if I choose monthly billing instead of yearly?

Monthly billing costs 20% more than the yearly equivalent. For example, paying monthly for Pro at $19/month equals $228 per year, versus $190 per year on a yearly subscription.

Source
Budibase: Can I try Budibase before committing to a paid plan?

Yes. All paid cloud plans include a 14-day free trial. The open source version is also available free with unlimited actions and unlimited users, though with community support only.

Source
Budibase: Does the free open source plan include the same features as paid plans?

The open source plan includes unlimited actions, unlimited apps, automations, agents, and users, but support is community-only rather than through Budibase directly. Paid plans add features like AI credits, custom branding, backups, and email or priority support.

Source
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