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Databases · head to head

Estuary vs Supabase

Estuary logo

Estuary

Databases

Real-time data integration combining streaming, CDC, and batch

From
Free
Rated
-
Supabase logo

Supabase

Technology

The open source Firebase alternative

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Estuary per-GB pricing adds up quickly for high-volume scenarios; Supabase free tier projects auto-pause after 1 week of inactivity
  • They diverge on capability: Estuary covers Real-time data delivery, Supabase covers PostgreSQL database.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Estuary and Supabase actually diverge.

Attributes where Estuary and Supabase differ
AttributeEstuarySupabase
Pricing modelUsage-based per GB plus per-connector costUnknown
PlatformsCloud, Private Cloud, BYOCWeb, 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 Estuary

  • Real-time data delivery
  • Change data capture
  • Batch processing
  • Data transformation
  • Pre-built connectors
  • Multiple deployments
  • RBAC and monitoring

Only in Supabase

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

What people use each for

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

Estuary

  • Real-time data replication to data warehousesnot Supabase
  • Change data capture from operational databasesnot Supabase
  • Feeding analytics and BI systems with fresh datanot Supabase
  • Powering real-time AI and ML data pipelinesnot Supabase

Supabase

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

Where each one falls short

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

Estuary

  • Per-GB pricing adds up quickly for high-volume scenarios
  • No transparent per-connector volume discounts below 6 connectors
  • Limited to data movement; transformation capabilities are basic
  • BYOC and private deployment requires enterprise plan
  • Smaller ecosystem compared to established alternatives

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

Estuary

Free
  • DeveloperFree
    • 10 GB per month
    • 2 connector instances maximum
    • No credit card required
  • Cloud$0.5/GB
    • $0.50 per GB of data moved
    • $100 per connector monthly (6+ connectors $50 each)
    • 200+ connectors
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Volume-based discounts
    • SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance
    • SSO authentication

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 Estuary if

  • You need real-time data delivery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Private Cloud, BYOC.
  • You also want change data capture.

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.

Questions people ask

Is Estuary or Supabase better?
Neither clearly leads. Estuary 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, Estuary or Supabase?
Estuary starts at Free and Supabase at Free.
Does Estuary or Supabase run on more platforms?
Estuary runs on Cloud, Private Cloud, BYOC. Supabase runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Estuary for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Estuary best used for?
Estuary is most often used for real-time data replication to data warehouses, change data capture from operational databases, feeding analytics and bi systems with fresh data, powering real-time ai and ml data pipelines. Of those, real-time data replication to data warehouses and change data capture from operational databases are not what Supabase is typically brought in for.
What can Estuary do that Supabase cannot?
Estuary covers Real-time data delivery, Change data capture, Batch processing, Data transformation. Supabase covers PostgreSQL database, Auto-generated APIs, Authentication & authorization, Real-time subscriptions.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Estuary: What is included in the free Developer plan?

Developer plan ($0/month) includes 10 GB of data per month and up to 2 connector instances, no credit card required.

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
Estuary: How is data pricing calculated on Cloud plan?

Cloud plan charges $0.50 per GB of data moved plus $100/month per connector for the first 6 connectors, then $50/month for additional connectors.

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
Estuary: What discount is available when adding 6+ connectors?

When using 6 or more connectors, the per-connector cost drops to $50/month from $100/month, saving $50 per additional connector.

Source
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