PocketBase vs Firebase: which is better for a small project?

PocketBase is open-source and self-hosted, giving you full control and no ongoing costs, while Firebase is a managed service with more features but vendor lock-in. For small projects where self-hosting is acceptable, PocketBase is a cost-effective choice, but Firebase offers easier scalability and a larger ecosystem.

How to add OAuth2 authentication to PocketBase?

PocketBase supports OAuth2 through plugins; you can use existing JavaScript or Go plugins for providers like Google or GitHub. Follow the documentation to set up hooks and configure OAuth2 credentials in the admin dashboard.

Can PocketBase handle user roles and permissions?

Yes, it includes built-in user management with basic roles and permissions via the admin UI. For complex access control lists (ACLs), you may need to extend it with custom logic using hooks or plugins.

Is PocketBase suitable for production use?

While many use it in production, the pre-v1.0 status means breaking changes are possible, so it's best for non-critical applications. Monitor releases closely and test updates thoroughly before deploying.

How to deploy PocketBase on a VPS?

Download the executable, set up a systemd service for auto-restart, configure environment variables for ports and data storage, and use a reverse proxy like Nginx for HTTPS. The docs provide detailed guides for various deployment scenarios.

What are the backup strategies for PocketBase?

Since it uses SQLite, you can directly backup the database file. Implement regular backups using tools like rsync or cloud storage, and enable SQLite's WAL mode for better performance and crash safety during backups.

Open-Awesome

DigitalOcean

MITGov0.40.3Self-Hosted

Open source backend with embedded SQLite database, realtime subscriptions, admin UI, and REST API in a single executable.

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61.0k stars3.7k forks0 contributors

What is DigitalOcean?

PocketBase is an open-source backend framework written in Go that combines an embedded SQLite database, realtime subscriptions, user management, file storage, and an admin dashboard into a single executable. It solves the problem of setting up complex backend infrastructure by providing a self-contained, easy-to-deploy solution for building web and mobile applications.

Target Audience

Developers and small teams building prototypes, MVPs, or small to medium applications who need a backend with minimal setup and operational overhead.

Value Proposition

Developers choose PocketBase for its simplicity, portability, and out-of-the-box features—it eliminates the need for separate database, authentication, and file storage services while offering realtime capabilities and an extensible architecture.

Overview

Open Source realtime backend in 1 file

Use Cases

Best For

Rapid prototyping of web or mobile applications
Building MVPs with minimal backend setup
Creating internal tools or admin panels
Developing realtime applications with subscriptions
Self-hosting lightweight backend services
Learning backend development with a simple, integrated stack

Not Ideal For

Applications requiring horizontal scaling and high write throughput
Enterprises needing long-term stability and vendor support
Projects that demand advanced database features like stored procedures or multi-master replication
Teams unfamiliar with Go who want to avoid learning a new language for deep customization

Pros & Cons

Pros

All-in-One Backend

Combines an embedded SQLite database, user management, file storage, and admin dashboard into a single executable, drastically reducing setup time and operational overhead.

Realtime Out of the Box

Includes realtime subscriptions for live data updates directly from the embedded database, eliminating the need for additional WebSocket services.

Portable Deployment

Distributed as a standalone binary with no external dependencies, making it easy to deploy on any supported platform without complex infrastructure.

Extensible Architecture

Can be customized as a Go framework for deep integration or extended with JavaScript plugins, offering flexibility for different development needs.

Cons

Pre-1.0 Volatility

The project is under active development with no guarantee of backward compatibility, posing risks for production use due to potential breaking changes.

SQLite Scalability Limits

Reliance on an embedded SQLite database means it may struggle with high concurrency and large datasets, limiting suitability for scaling applications.

Go Learning Curve

Extending core functionality with Go requires proficiency in the language, adding complexity for teams not already versed in Go development.

Frequently Asked Questions

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