Softwr

API Management · head to head

PocketBase vs Portkey

PocketBase logo

PocketBase

API Management

Open-source backend with REST API, real-time subscriptions and Admin UI

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
P

Portkey

API Management

Observe, govern, and secure every AI interaction across your enterprise

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PocketBase not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0; Portkey the free Developer tier records only 10,000 logs per month with 3 day log retention; the $49 per month Production tier raises that to 100,000 logs with $9 per additional 100,000 requests, as of August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PocketBase and Portkey actually diverge.

Attributes where PocketBase and Portkey differ
AttributePocketBasePortkey
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSDWeb
Founded2021Unknown

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 PocketBase

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

Only in Portkey

Nothing recorded that PocketBase does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

PocketBase

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

Portkey

No use cases recorded yet. See the Portkey review.

Where each one falls short

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

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)

Portkey

  • The free Developer tier records only 10,000 logs per month with 3 day log retention; the $49 per month Production tier raises that to 100,000 logs with $9 per additional 100,000 requests, as of August 2026.

Pricing, plan by plan

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Portkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Portkey review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Portkey if

  • You want to start without paying.
Portkey review

Questions people ask

Is PocketBase or Portkey better?
Neither clearly leads. PocketBase starts at Free and Portkey at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PocketBase or Portkey?
PocketBase starts at Free and Portkey at Free.
Does PocketBase or Portkey run on more platforms?
PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD. Portkey runs on Web.
Can I use PocketBase for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is PocketBase best used for?
PocketBase is most often used for embedded realtime database with rest api, backend-as-a-service for single-file deployments, rapid application development with email/oauth2 authentication, file storage and media attachment management. Of those, embedded realtime database with rest api and backend-as-a-service for single-file deployments are not what Portkey is typically brought in for.
What can PocketBase do that Portkey cannot?
PocketBase covers REST API, Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite.
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Related pages

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