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API Management · head to head

Hasura vs PocketBase

Hasura logo

Hasura

API Management

GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PocketBase logo

PocketBase

API Management

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: Hasura database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only; PocketBase not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0
  • They diverge on capability: Hasura covers GraphQL API, PocketBase covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hasura and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Hasura and PocketBase differ
AttributeHasuraPocketBase
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsWebLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
Founded20172021

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

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 Hasura

  • GraphQL API
  • Access control
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • REST APIs
  • Cloud support
  • Kubernetes support

Only in PocketBase

  • REST API
  • Admin UI
  • SQLite
  • File storage
  • Go support

Both cover

  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Webhooks
  • Self-hosted support
  • Docker support

What people use each for

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

Hasura

  • Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot PocketBase
  • Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot PocketBase
  • Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot PocketBase
  • Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot PocketBase

PocketBase

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

Where each one falls short

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

Hasura

  • Database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only

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

Hasura

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hasura review.

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Hasura if

  • You need graphql api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want access control.
Hasura review

Choose PocketBase if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
  • You also want admin ui.
PocketBase review

Questions people ask

Is Hasura or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Hasura 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, Hasura or PocketBase?
Hasura starts at Free and PocketBase at Free.
Does Hasura or PocketBase run on more platforms?
Hasura runs on Web. PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
Can I use Hasura for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hasura best used for?
Hasura is most often used for automatic graphql api generation from existing databases, real-time data subscriptions for modern applications, backend infrastructure for web and mobile applications, event-triggered webhooks for database changes. Of those, automatic graphql api generation from existing databases and real-time data subscriptions for modern applications are not what PocketBase is typically brought in for.
What can Hasura do that PocketBase cannot?
Hasura covers GraphQL API, Access control, PostgreSQL, MySQL. PocketBase covers REST API, Admin UI, SQLite, File storage. Both handle Real-time subscriptions, Webhooks, Self-hosted support, Docker support.
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