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APIs · head to head

PocketBase vs Portkey

PocketBase logo

PocketBase

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Portkey logo

Portkey

APIs

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only PocketBase has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: PocketBase requires technical expertise to deploy and maintain; 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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PocketBase and Portkey actually diverge.

Attributes where PocketBase and Portkey differ
AttributePocketBasePortkey
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSDWeb
Founded2021Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 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

  • Accessing 1,600+ language models through unified API gatewaynot PocketBase
  • Monitoring and observing LLM behavior in production environmentsnot PocketBase
  • Managing costs and setting budget limits for AI spendingnot PocketBase
  • Implementing guardrails and PII redaction for secure AI interactionsnot PocketBase

Where each one falls short

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

PocketBase

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

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

On request

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

Nothing in the data separates Portkey from PocketBase on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Portkey review

Questions people ask

Is PocketBase or Portkey better?
Neither clearly leads. PocketBase starts at Free and Portkey at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PocketBase or Portkey?
PocketBase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for PocketBase and On request for Portkey.
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?
Yes. PocketBase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Portkey starts at On request.
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.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Portkey: What happens if I exceed my Portkey plan's request limit?

Production tier ($49/month) charges $9 per additional 100,000 requests beyond the included 100,000. Enterprise customers have custom limits determined through their service agreement. Source: https://portkey.ai/pricing

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
Portkey: Can I self-host Portkey to avoid per-request billing?

Yes. Portkey offers an Open Source self-hosted version with unlimited requests at no cost, including universal API, routing, guardrails, and load balancing features. Source: https://portkey.ai/pricing

Source
Portkey: How long does Portkey retain my logs and metrics?

Free Developer tier retains logs 3 days and metrics 30 days. Production tier retains logs 30 days and metrics 90 days. Enterprise tier offers custom retention periods. Source: https://portkey.ai/pricing

Source
Portkey: What compliance features are included in the Enterprise plan?

Enterprise tier includes SOC2 Type 2 certification, GDPR compliance, HIPAA compliance, VPC hosting, SSO, advanced guardrails, and dedicated support. Custom pricing required. Source: https://portkey.ai/pricing

Source
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