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Databases · head to head

DuckDB vs Supabase

DuckDB logo

DuckDB

Databases

Fast in-process analytical database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Supabase logo

Supabase

Technology

The open source Firebase alternative

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DuckDB client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios; Supabase free tier projects auto-pause after 1 week of inactivity
  • They diverge on capability: DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Supabase covers PostgreSQL database.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DuckDB and Supabase actually diverge.

Attributes where DuckDB and Supabase differ
AttributeDuckDBSupabase
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, WebAssemblyWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryDatabasesTechnology
Founded20192020

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 DuckDB

  • In-process Execution
  • Columnar Storage
  • Vectorized Execution
  • Rich SQL Support
  • Parquet Support
  • CSV/JSON Import
  • Zero Dependencies
  • R

Only in Supabase

  • PostgreSQL database
  • Auto-generated APIs
  • Authentication & authorization
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Storage
  • Edge functions
  • Vector embeddings
  • Database migrations

Both cover

  • Python

What people use each for

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

DuckDB

  • Analytics and data warehousingnot Supabase
  • OLAP queries and data explorationnot Supabase
  • Data science and machine learning workflowsnot Supabase
  • Multi-format data ingestion and processingnot Supabase

Supabase

  • Web application backends using Postgres plus auto-generated REST/GraphQL APIsnot DuckDB
  • Mobile app backends via Flutter/Swift/Kotlin client librariesnot DuckDB
  • AI applications using vector/embeddings storagenot DuckDB
  • Authentication with 20+ social providers plus email/passwordnot DuckDB
  • File and media storage (S3-compatible with CDN) and realtime sync over WebSocketsnot DuckDB

Where each one falls short

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

DuckDB

  • Client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios

Supabase

  • Free tier projects auto-pause after 1 week of inactivity
  • Free tier hard caps: 500 MB database, 1 GB file storage, 5 GB egress/month, 50,000 monthly active users, max 2 active free projects per organization
  • Pro plan charges usage overages beyond included quotas, e.g. $0.00325 per MAU above 100,000 and $0.125/GB disk above 8 GB
  • SOC2/ISO 27001 certification and HIPAA (add-on) compliance require the $599/month Team plan; not available on the $25/month Pro plan

Pricing, plan by plan

DuckDB

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DuckDB review.

Supabase

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50,000 MAU
    • 500MB database
    • 5GB egress
  • Pro$25/month
    • 100,000 MAU
    • 8GB disk
    • 250GB egress
  • Team$599/month
    • SOC2 and ISO 27001
    • HIPAA add-on
    • 28-day log / 14-day backup retention
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom limits
    • Dedicated support manager
    • 24/7/365 support

Which should you pick?

Choose DuckDB if

  • You need in-process execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly.
  • You also want columnar storage.
DuckDB review

Choose Supabase if

  • You need postgresql database.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want auto-generated apis.
Supabase review

Questions people ask

Is DuckDB or Supabase better?
Neither clearly leads. DuckDB starts at Free and Supabase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DuckDB or Supabase?
DuckDB starts at Free and Supabase at Free.
Does DuckDB or Supabase run on more platforms?
DuckDB runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly. Supabase runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use DuckDB for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is DuckDB best used for?
DuckDB is most often used for analytics and data warehousing, olap queries and data exploration, data science and machine learning workflows, multi-format data ingestion and processing. Of those, analytics and data warehousing and olap queries and data exploration are not what Supabase is typically brought in for.
What can DuckDB do that Supabase cannot?
DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Columnar Storage, Vectorized Execution, Rich SQL Support. Supabase covers PostgreSQL database, Auto-generated APIs, Authentication & authorization, Real-time subscriptions. Both handle Python.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DuckDB: Is DuckDB free to use?

Yes, DuckDB is completely free. There are no subscription tiers, user limits, or paid plans. The software has zero licensing costs.

Source
Supabase: How much does Supabase cost?

Supabase offers a free tier and three paid plans. Pro starts at $25 per month, Team at $599 per month, and Enterprise requires a custom quote. All pricing is in USD charged monthly.

Source
DuckDB: What license is DuckDB distributed under?

DuckDB is open source under the MIT License, governed by the independent DuckDB Foundation. The MIT License permits commercial use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions.

Source
Supabase: What are Supabase's usage overage fees?

Pro plan users pay $0.00325 per monthly active user over the 100,000 included, and $0.125 per GB for database storage exceeding 8 GB per project. Compute instances cost $10 to $3,730+ per month.

Source
DuckDB: Can I use DuckDB in commercial applications?

Yes, the MIT License allows commercial use without restrictions or requirements to publish proprietary code. You can deploy DuckDB anywhere from edge devices to high-core servers.

Source
DuckDB: Are there any limitations on how many instances I can run?

No, there are no user limits, usage limits, or instance restrictions. You have unlimited access to all DuckDB features.

Source
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