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Supabase vs Apache Spark

Supabase logo

Supabase

Software

The open source Firebase alternative

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
A

Apache Spark

Software

A multi-language engine for data engineering, data science, and machine learning

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Supabase free tier projects auto-pause after 1 week of inactivity; Apache Spark licensed under Apache License 2.0 per spark.apache.org; as open source software it has no paid tier or vendor price to compare

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Supabase and Apache Spark actually diverge.

Attributes where Supabase and Apache Spark differ
AttributeSupabaseApache Spark
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb
Founded2020Unknown

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 Supabase

  • PostgreSQL database
  • Auto-generated APIs
  • Authentication & authorization
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Storage
  • Edge functions
  • Vector embeddings
  • Database migrations

Only in Apache Spark

Nothing recorded that Supabase does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Supabase

  • Web application backends using Postgres plus auto-generated REST/GraphQL APIsnot Apache Spark
  • Mobile app backends via Flutter/Swift/Kotlin client librariesnot Apache Spark
  • AI applications using vector/embeddings storagenot Apache Spark
  • Authentication with 20+ social providers plus email/passwordnot Apache Spark
  • File and media storage (S3-compatible with CDN) and realtime sync over WebSocketsnot Apache Spark

Apache Spark

No use cases recorded yet. See the Apache Spark review.

Where each one falls short

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

Supabase

  • Free tier projects auto-pause after 1 week of inactivity
  • Free tier hard caps: 500 MB database, 1 GB file storage, 5 GB egress/month, 50,000 monthly active users, max 2 active free projects per organization
  • Pro plan charges usage overages beyond included quotas, e.g. $0.00325 per MAU above 100,000 and $0.125/GB disk above 8 GB
  • SOC2/ISO 27001 certification and HIPAA (add-on) compliance require the $599/month Team plan; not available on the $25/month Pro plan

Apache Spark

  • Licensed under Apache License 2.0 per spark.apache.org; as open source software it has no paid tier or vendor price to compare
  • Installation on a laptop requires pip install pyspark or a Docker image per spark.apache.org; there is no hosted single-click deployment offered by the Apache project itself

Pricing, plan by plan

Supabase

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50,000 MAU
    • 500MB database
    • 5GB egress
  • Pro$25/month
    • 100,000 MAU
    • 8GB disk
    • 250GB egress
  • Team$599/month
    • SOC2 and ISO 27001
    • HIPAA add-on
    • 28-day log / 14-day backup retention
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom limits
    • Dedicated support manager
    • 24/7/365 support

Apache Spark

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache Spark review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Supabase if

  • You need postgresql database.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want auto-generated apis.
Supabase review

Choose Apache Spark if

  • You want to start without paying.
Apache Spark review

Questions people ask

Is Supabase or Apache Spark better?
Neither clearly leads. Supabase starts at Free and Apache Spark at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Supabase or Apache Spark?
Supabase starts at Free and Apache Spark at Free.
Does Supabase or Apache Spark run on more platforms?
Supabase runs on Web, iOS, Android. Apache Spark runs on Web.
Can I use Supabase for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Supabase best used for?
Supabase is most often used for web application backends using postgres plus auto-generated rest/graphql apis, mobile app backends via flutter/swift/kotlin client libraries, ai applications using vector/embeddings storage, authentication with 20+ social providers plus email/password. Of those, web application backends using postgres plus auto-generated rest/graphql apis and mobile app backends via flutter/swift/kotlin client libraries are not what Apache Spark is typically brought in for.
What can Supabase do that Apache Spark cannot?
Supabase covers PostgreSQL database, Auto-generated APIs, Authentication & authorization, Real-time subscriptions.
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