Neon vs Supabase
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right databases solution for your project.
Quick Verdict
Supabase has a feature edge based on documented capabilities, but the best choice depends on your constraints. Neon is best for serverless apps, while Supabase excels at postgres lovers. See methodology for how we compare tools.
Supabase
Feature edgeOpen source Firebase alternative
Best for
Decision Guide
Supabase is a full backend platform, while Neon is a database-first serverless Postgres. Choose based on whether you want a platform or a pure database product.
Choose Neon if you need
- Teams with existing auth and storage
- Database-only architecture
- Branching workflows for previews
- Scale-to-zero cost efficiency
Choose Supabase if you need
- Teams that want auth and storage included
- Rapid MVPs with fewer integrations
- RLS-based permission models
- All-in-one dashboards
Decision factors
- Platform vs database-only stack
- Need for auth and storage
- Serverless scale-to-zero behavior
- Branching and preview environments
Pricing notes
- Supabase bundles multiple services into one plan
- Neon pricing aligns with compute and storage usage
- Neon can be cheaper for low-traffic apps
Migration notes
- Leaving Supabase requires replacing auth and storage
- Moving to Supabase may simplify vendor count
- Plan data export and connection pooling
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Neon | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| PostgreSQL | Yes | Yes |
| Branching | Yes | Yes Preview branches |
| Autoscaling | Yes | No |
| Scale to zero | Yes | No |
| Built-in Auth | No | Yes |
| Self-hosted option | No | Yes |
| Read replicas | Yes | No |
| Realtime subscriptions | No | Yes |
| Auto-generated APIs | No | Yes |
| Edge Functions | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Neon
Supabase
Neon Pros & Cons
Pros
- +True serverless (scale to zero)
- +Database branching
- +Great free tier
- +Fast cold starts
Cons
- -Newer platform
- -Smaller community
- -No self-hosting
Supabase Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Generous free tier
- +Full Postgres with extensions
- +Open source / self-hostable
- +Great developer experience
Cons
- -Smaller ecosystem than Firebase
- -Edge functions less mature
- -Can get expensive at scale
Neon Verdict
Neon is the best serverless Postgres for Vercel/Next.js projects. Scale-to-zero billing is perfect for side projects.
Supabase Verdict
Supabase is the best choice for developers who want Postgres power with Firebase convenience. The free tier is unbeatable.
More options in Databases
Looking for different tradeoffs? Explore alternatives to each tool.
Frequently Asked Questions: Neon vs Supabase
Is Neon or Supabase better?
It depends on your use case. Neon is best for serverless apps and vercel users. Supabase is best for postgres lovers and startups. Neon is the best serverless Postgres for Vercel/Next.js projects. Scale-to-zero billing is perfect for side projects.
Is Neon free?
Yes, Neon offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $19/mo.
Is Supabase free?
Yes, Supabase offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $25/mo.
Can I migrate from Neon to Supabase?
Yes, you can migrate from Neon to Supabase, though the complexity depends on how deeply integrated your current solution is. Most developers recommend evaluating both tools in a test environment before committing to a migration.
Which is more popular, Neon or Supabase?
Both Neon and Supabase are popular choices in their category. The best choice depends on your specific requirements, team expertise, and budget rather than popularity alone.