Turso vs Supabase
Turso is a SQLite-compatible edge database designed for low-latency applications and sync-heavy products. It excels in scenarios where data needs to be replicated close to users globally, making it ideal for real-time collaborative apps, IoT, and offline-first mobile applications.
Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative that bundles PostgreSQL, authentication, storage, and real-time subscriptions into a single platform. It is best suited for full-stack applications that require a relational database with built-in backend services, offering a seamless development experience for web and mobile apps.
Quick comparison
| Turso | Supabase | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go based on storage and sync operations; free tier available | Free tier with limits; paid plans based on database size, bandwidth, and team size |
| Hosting / Self-Host | Managed cloud with edge locations; self-host option available via open-source | Managed cloud (Supabase Platform); self-host option available via open-source |
| License | Open-source (Apache 2.0) | Open-source (Apache 2.0) |
| Best For | Edge computing, real-time sync, offline-first apps | Full-stack apps needing auth, storage, and real-time out of the box |
| Learning Curve | Moderate: SQLite familiarity helps; sync concepts are new | Low to moderate: PostgreSQL is standard; many tutorials available |
Choose Turso if your app demands ultra-low latency at the edge, requires offline sync capabilities, or you want a lightweight SQLite-compatible database that scales horizontally.
View detailsChoose Supabase if you need a full backend solution with PostgreSQL, built-in authentication, file storage, and real-time subscriptions, and prefer a platform that reduces boilerplate.
View detailsFrequently asked questions
Can Turso be used as a primary database for a web app?
Yes, Turso can serve as a primary database, especially for apps that benefit from edge replication and low-latency reads. However, it uses SQLite under the hood, so write-heavy workloads may require careful design.
Does Supabase support self-hosting?
Yes, Supabase is open-source and can be self-hosted using Docker or Kubernetes. The managed platform offers additional convenience and scalability.
Which tool is better for real-time features?
Both support real-time, but in different ways. Turso uses sync (like CRDTs) for offline-first and multi-device sync, while Supabase uses PostgreSQL's logical replication for real-time subscriptions to database changes.