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Software · head to head

Paragon vs PocketBase

Paragon logo

Paragon

Software

Embedded integration platform for SaaS

From
$299/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: Paragon no price is published for either plan, and both require a quote; PocketBase not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0
  • They diverge on capability: Paragon covers Embedded workflows, PocketBase covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Paragon and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Paragon and PocketBase differ
AttributeParagonPocketBase
Starting price$299/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, EmbeddedLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2021).

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 Paragon

  • Embedded workflows
  • Native integrations
  • Workflow builder
  • Error handling
  • Monitoring
  • Analytics
  • 500+ apps
  • Custom integrations

Only in PocketBase

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

Both cover

  • Webhooks

What people use each for

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

Paragon

  • Embedding third party integrations into a SaaS productnot PocketBase
  • Managing customer facing connectors without building each onenot PocketBase

PocketBase

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

Where each one falls short

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

Paragon

  • No price is published for either plan, and both require a quote
  • Cost scales with the number of customer tenants using the integrations, so the bill follows an end customer count rather than the vendor's own usage
  • SAML SSO, self hosting, dynamic field mapping and SLAs are all Enterprise 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

Paragon

$299/month
  • Starter$299/month
    • 50 integrations
    • Basic support
  • Growth$999/month
    • 200 integrations
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$5000/month
    • Unlimited integrations
    • Dedicated support

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Paragon if

  • You need embedded workflows.
  • You work on Web, Embedded.
  • You also want native integrations.
Paragon 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 Paragon or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Paragon starts at $299/month and PocketBase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Paragon or PocketBase?
PocketBase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $299/month for Paragon and Free for PocketBase.
Does Paragon or PocketBase run on more platforms?
Paragon runs on Web, Embedded. 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. Paragon starts at $299/month.
What is Paragon best used for?
Paragon is most often used for embedding third party integrations into a saas product, managing customer facing connectors without building each one. Of those, embedding third party integrations into a saas product and managing customer facing connectors without building each one are not what PocketBase is typically brought in for.
What can Paragon do that PocketBase cannot?
Paragon covers Embedded workflows, Native integrations, Workflow builder, Error handling. PocketBase covers REST API, Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite. Both handle Webhooks.
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