PostGraphile vs Supabase

PostGraphile creates GraphQL APIs backed primarily by PostgreSQL, for applications such as SaaS backends and internal business tools. Its core features include GraphQL queries and mutations, automatic CRUD mutations, filtering, ordering, plugins, and authentication using JWT or custom pgSettings. It also supports row-level security and role-based access control. PostGraphile V4 Core and Version 5 are open source under the MIT license. Version 5 is built on Grafast, a planning and execution engine intended to improve performance and maintainability. The project can be self-hosted, and its homepage offers an `npx pgl` command to start with a PostgreSQL connection string. PostGraphile Pro adds query-cost, pagination, and query-depth limits, as well as a facility for scaling through database read replicas. The Pro plugin is for V4 Core; Version 5 remains open source and under development. V4 Core costs nothing. Pro License Only costs $25 a month, with up to four production instances and 100 development instances; larger clusters require custom licensing.

Supabase is a backend platform built around a Postgres database, with services for authentication, storage, realtime data, and server-side functions. Every project includes a Postgres database, and paid plans add database branching and backups. Supabase Auth supports email and password, passwordless, OAuth, and mobile logins through identity providers and APIs. Realtime can listen for database changes, sync user states, and broadcast data to subscribed clients; Edge Functions run server-side code close to users. Official client libraries are available for JavaScript/TypeScript, Dart/Flutter, Swift, and Python, and documentation covers self-hosting. Supabase says data is encrypted at rest with AES-256 and in transit via TLS, and that it is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and ISO 27001 certified. EU-hosted projects keep primary database data in-region; hosted HIPAA use requires a Business Associate Agreement. The free plan includes two active projects, paused after one week of inactivity. Pro starts at $25 /mo and includes email support; Team starts at $599 / month, while Enterprise pricing is custom.