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Software · head to head

PocketBase vs Strapi

PocketBase logo

PocketBase

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Strapi logo

Strapi

Software

Headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs

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; Strapi cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • They diverge on capability: PocketBase covers Real-time subscriptions, Strapi covers GraphQL API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PocketBase and Strapi actually diverge.

Attributes where PocketBase and Strapi differ
AttributePocketBaseStrapi
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSDNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker
Founded20212015

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

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

  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Admin UI
  • SQLite
  • File storage
  • Go support

Only in Strapi

  • GraphQL API
  • Content management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • AWS
  • Node.js support
  • Cloud support

Both cover

  • REST API
  • Webhooks
  • Docker support
  • Self-hosted support

What people use each for

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

PocketBase

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

Strapi

  • Running a self hosted headless CMS with a REST or GraphQL APInot PocketBase
  • Giving editors a content admin panel over a custom content modelnot PocketBase

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)

Strapi

  • Cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • Starter at $35 a month allows 100,000 API requests, and overage is $1.50 per 25,000
  • Extra bandwidth is $30 per 100 GB and extra asset storage $0.60 per GB
  • Backups start at the Pro plan, weekly, and only become daily at Business
  • An uptime SLA is Business only, at $450 a month per project
  • Additional environments cost $60 a month on Pro and $300 a month on Business

Pricing, plan by plan

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase review.

Strapi

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted Strapi
    • Community support
  • Pro$99/monthly
    • Cloud hosting
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
  • Business$undefined/monthly
    • Enterprise features
    • Custom SLA
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Strapi if

  • You need graphql api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want content management.
Strapi review

Questions people ask

Is PocketBase or Strapi better?
Neither clearly leads. PocketBase starts at Free and Strapi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PocketBase or Strapi?
PocketBase starts at Free and Strapi at Free.
Does PocketBase or Strapi run on more platforms?
PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD. Strapi runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
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 Strapi is typically brought in for.
What can PocketBase do that Strapi cannot?
PocketBase covers Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite, File storage. Strapi covers GraphQL API, Content management, PostgreSQL, MySQL. Both handle REST API, Webhooks, Docker support, Self-hosted support.
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Related pages

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