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APIs · head to head

Appwrite vs PocketBase

Appwrite logo

Appwrite

APIs

Open-source Backend as a Service with REST API and SDKs

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: Appwrite smaller ecosystem compared to Firebase; fewer third-party integrations and extensions; PocketBase requires technical expertise to deploy and maintain
  • They diverge on capability: Appwrite covers Authentication, PocketBase covers Real-time subscriptions.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Appwrite and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Appwrite and PocketBase differ
AttributeAppwritePocketBase
PlatformsCloud (Managed), Self-Hosted, DockerLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
Founded20192021

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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 Appwrite

  • Authentication
  • Database
  • Multiple SDKs
  • Cloud functions
  • Cloud support
  • Kubernetes support

Only in PocketBase

  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Admin UI
  • SQLite
  • Webhooks
  • Go support

Both cover

  • REST API
  • File storage
  • Docker support
  • Self-hosted support

What people use each for

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

Appwrite

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

PocketBase

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

Where each one falls short

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

Appwrite

  • Smaller ecosystem compared to Firebase; fewer third-party integrations and extensions
  • Analytics, crash reporting, and A/B testing not included (Firebase includes these)
  • Requires infrastructure management for self-hosted deployments; not fully managed like Firebase Cloud
  • Mobile app support not as mature as Firebase's native iOS/Android SDKs

PocketBase

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Appwrite

Free
  • Cloud FreeFree
    • 75K MAU
    • 10GB storage
    • Unlimited projects
  • Cloud Pro$15/month
    • More storage
    • Priority support

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Appwrite if

  • You need authentication.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud (Managed), Self-Hosted, Docker.
  • You also want database.
Appwrite 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 Appwrite or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Appwrite 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, Appwrite or PocketBase?
Appwrite starts at Free and PocketBase at Free.
Does Appwrite or PocketBase run on more platforms?
Appwrite runs on Cloud (Managed), Self-Hosted, Docker. PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
Can I use Appwrite for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Appwrite best used for?
Appwrite 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 Appwrite do that PocketBase cannot?
Appwrite covers Authentication, Database, Multiple SDKs, Cloud functions. PocketBase covers Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite, Webhooks. Both handle REST API, File storage, Docker support, Self-hosted support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Appwrite: Can Appwrite be self-hosted?

Yes. Appwrite is fully open-source and self-hosted with a single Docker command. Self-hosting is completely free with no feature restrictions, unlike the managed Appwrite Cloud.

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
Appwrite: What is Appwrite Cloud's pricing?

Appwrite Cloud offers a free tier with unlimited projects, 75K monthly active users, and 10GB storage with no time limit. Pro plan starts at $15/month per organization member. Scale plan at $599/month includes dedicated resources and SOC 2 compliance.

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
Appwrite: What programming languages does Appwrite support?

Appwrite provides SDKs for 15+ languages including JavaScript, Flutter, Swift, Kotlin, Python, Ruby, PHP, .NET, and more, offering more language flexibility than Firebase.

Source
Appwrite: What backend services does Appwrite provide?

Appwrite includes Auth (with multi-factor auth), Databases, Storage (with compression and encryption), Serverless Functions, Messaging, Realtime subscriptions, and Sites (for hosting static and full-stack apps).

Source
Appwrite: Does Appwrite include real-time capabilities?

Yes. Appwrite's Realtime service covers all platform services by default through WebSocket subscriptions, enabling real-time updates across databases, functions, and messages.

Source
Appwrite: How does Appwrite compare to Firebase on costs?

Appwrite offers better cost predictability. Firebase's pay-per-read/write model can lead to unexpected bills with runaway queries, while Appwrite's self-hosted model only requires paying for your own infrastructure with completely predictable costs.

Source
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