Softwr

APIs · head to head

Janus Gateway vs PocketBase

Janus Gateway logo

Janus Gateway

APIs

WebRTC gateway and media server for real-time communication

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: Janus Gateway no commercial pricing published; open-source project without official commercial offerings; PocketBase requires technical expertise to deploy and maintain
  • They diverge on capability: Janus Gateway covers WebRTC Gateway, PocketBase covers Real-time subscriptions.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Janus Gateway and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Janus Gateway and PocketBase differ
AttributeJanus GatewayPocketBase
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsLinux, MacOS, BSDLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
Founded20102021

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

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 Janus Gateway

  • WebRTC Gateway
  • Media Routing
  • Video Conferencing
  • RTP
  • SRTP
  • Linux support
  • MacOS support
  • BSD support

Only in PocketBase

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

Both cover

  • REST API

What people use each for

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

Janus Gateway

  • API Developmentnot PocketBase
  • API Gatewaynot PocketBase
  • API Testingnot PocketBase
  • API Documentationnot PocketBase
  • Microservicesnot PocketBase

PocketBase

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

Where each one falls short

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

Janus Gateway

  • No commercial pricing published; open-source project without official commercial offerings
  • Community-supported only; no vendor commercial support or SLA available

PocketBase

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Janus Gateway

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Core WebRTC gateway
    • Community support

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Janus Gateway if

  • You need webrtc gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, MacOS, BSD.
  • You also want media routing.
Janus Gateway 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 Janus Gateway or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Janus Gateway 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, Janus Gateway or PocketBase?
Janus Gateway starts at Free and PocketBase at Free.
Does Janus Gateway or PocketBase run on more platforms?
Janus Gateway runs on Linux, MacOS, BSD. PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
Can I use Janus Gateway for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Janus Gateway best used for?
Janus Gateway is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what PocketBase is typically brought in for.
What can Janus Gateway do that PocketBase cannot?
Janus Gateway covers WebRTC Gateway, Media Routing, Video Conferencing, RTP. PocketBase covers Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite, Webhooks. Both handle REST API.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Janus Gateway: How much does Janus Gateway cost?

Janus Gateway has no pricing model; it is a free open-source WebRTC server developed by Meetecho. The general-purpose server is available for download at no cost. There are no subscription tiers or commercial licensing fees.

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
Janus Gateway: Is Janus Gateway supported commercially?

Janus Gateway is community-supported open-source software with no official commercial support or SLA from the vendors. While Meetecho developed the project, users must rely on community documentation and forums for assistance.

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
Share

Related pages

More on Janus Gateway

More on PocketBase

Keep looking

Other head to heads