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Software · head to head

Groove vs PocketBase

Groove logo

Groove

Software

Simple, powerful support for growing businesses

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PocketBase logo

PocketBase

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only PocketBase has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Groove billed per ticket at $1 rather than per agent, so support cost scales with how many customers get in touch; PocketBase not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0
  • They diverge on capability: Groove covers Shared inbox, PocketBase covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Groove and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Groove and PocketBase differ
AttributeGroovePocketBase
Starting price$12/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
Founded20112021

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Groove

  • Shared inbox
  • Knowledge base
  • Live chat
  • Automation rules
  • Reporting
  • Collision detection
  • Slack
  • Salesforce

Only in PocketBase

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

What people use each for

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

Groove

  • Shared inbox and help desk ticketing for small support teamsnot PocketBase
  • Handling email, chat and messaging support in one queuenot PocketBase

PocketBase

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

Where each one falls short

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

Groove

  • Billed per ticket at $1 rather than per agent, so support cost scales with how many customers get in touch
  • A minimum of 250 tickets a month applies, which is a $3,000 annual commitment before any usage
  • A quiet month still pays the 250 ticket floor
  • No mailbox limit is published

PocketBase

  • Not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0
  • Full backward compatibility not guaranteed before v1.0.0 (breaking changes possible with version updates)
  • Pull requests for new features are disabled due to spam concerns (feature contributions limited)

Pricing, plan by plan

Groove

$12/month
  • Standard$12/month
    • 1 mailbox
    • Knowledge base
    • Live chat
  • Plus$20/month
    • 5 mailboxes
    • Full reporting
    • Rules
  • Pro$35/month
    • 25 mailboxes
    • Salesforce
    • Enterprise SSO

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Groove if

  • You need shared inbox.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want knowledge base.
Groove review

Choose PocketBase if

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

Questions people ask

Is Groove or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Groove starts at $12/month and PocketBase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Groove or PocketBase?
PocketBase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12/month for Groove and Free for PocketBase.
Does Groove or PocketBase run on more platforms?
Groove runs on Web, Ios, Android. PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
Can I use PocketBase for free?
Yes. PocketBase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Groove starts at $12/month.
What is Groove best used for?
Groove is most often used for shared inbox and help desk ticketing for small support teams, handling email, chat and messaging support in one queue. Of those, shared inbox and help desk ticketing for small support teams and handling email, chat and messaging support in one queue are not what PocketBase is typically brought in for.
What can Groove do that PocketBase cannot?
Groove covers Shared inbox, Knowledge base, Live chat, Automation rules. PocketBase covers REST API, Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite.
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Related pages

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