Supabase vs Neon in 2026: Postgres for SaaS

Both Supabase and Neon offer managed Postgres, but they solve different problems. Supabase is a platform with auth, storage, and realtime. Neon is a database first product focused on Postgres performance and branching.

TL;DR

• •Choose Supabase if you want auth, storage, and a platform experience.
• •Choose Neon if you only need Postgres and want fast scaling with minimal overhead.

Platform vs database

Supabase bundles auth, storage, edge functions, and an admin UI. Neon focuses on Postgres performance, branching, and scale to zero behavior. The best choice depends on whether you want a full stack platform or a database only product.

Developer workflow

Supabase feels like a backend in a box with dashboards and integrated services. Neon feels like a powerful database you plug into your stack. If your team already has auth and storage, Neon is lighter. If you want fewer vendors, Supabase is simpler.

Scaling and cost

Neon is attractive for low traffic apps because it can scale to zero. Supabase shines when you want a predictable platform with extra services included. Evaluate your expected traffic and how much you want to pay for the platform layer.

When Supabase wins

• •You want a single vendor for auth and database
• •You are building fast and need fewer integrations
• •You want a GUI for managing data and users
• •You plan to use RLS to enforce permissions

When Neon wins

• •You already have auth covered
• •You need Postgres branching for teams
• •You want a pure database product
• •You prefer database first control

Decision matrix

Migration notes

• •If you start with Supabase and move to Neon, plan for auth and storage replacements.
• •If you start with Neon, your biggest work later is usually adding auth and file storage.

Our recommendation

For early stage SaaS teams, Supabase is often the fastest path to shipping. For teams that already have auth or want maximum database control, Neon is a strong choice.

Last updated: February 2026