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APIs · head to head

Hasura vs PocketBase

Hasura logo

Hasura

APIs

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

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: Hasura active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly; PocketBase requires technical expertise to deploy and maintain
  • They diverge on capability: Hasura covers GraphQL API, PocketBase covers REST API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hasura and PocketBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Hasura and PocketBase differ
AttributeHasuraPocketBase
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWebLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
Founded20172021

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 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

  • Active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • Private DDN requires Base or Advanced plan

PocketBase

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Hasura

Free
  • DDN FreeFree
    • Unlimited models
    • 1 supergraph developer
    • 15-minute observability retention
  • DDN Base$5/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Unlimited developers
    • 30-day observability retention
  • DDN Advanced$30/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Federated collaboration
    • Multi-repo CI/CD

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.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hasura: How much does Hasura cost?

Hasura DDN Free is free. DDN Base starts at $5/active model/month, and DDN Advanced starts at $30/active model/month.

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
Hasura: What is an active model in Hasura pricing?

An active model is defined as any model or command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly.

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
Hasura: Is there a free version of Hasura?

Yes, Hasura DDN Free is always free and includes unlimited models, 1 supergraph developer, and 15-minute observability retention.

Source
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