PocketBase
PocketBase: A focused, self-hosted backend for small apps and prototypes. Ranked #4 of 28 in Backend as a Service by our editors (8.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for small self-hosted apps and prototypes.
At a glance
- Editor score8.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSmall self-hosted apps and prototypes
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Database typeRelational
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Embedded SQLite, REST-style APIs, realtime SSE, and admin UI
- Authentication includes email/password, OTP, and OAuth2
- Runs across Windows, macOS, Linux, and self-hosted infrastructure
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires managing your own infrastructure
- Backend feature breadth is narrower than broader platforms
- The project is still under active development and pre-1.0
Our verdict on PocketBase
PocketBase is an open-source backend for developers building small applications, prototypes, and self-hosted backends. It runs as a portable application or Go framework and combines an embedded SQLite database with collection-based data modeling, REST-style APIs, realtime record subscriptions, authentication, file uploads, and an administrative dashboard. Its platform coverage includes Windows, macOS, Linux, and self-hosted deployments, making it a practical fit when keeping the backend executable close to the application is a priority.
Its feature set covers several common backend needs without requiring separate services. Authentication supports email/password, OTP, and OAuth2, with integrations for Google, Facebook, GitHub, GitLab, and Microsoft. File uploads can use local storage or Amazon S3-compatible storage, while realtime subscriptions use Server-Sent Events. Developers can extend the backend with Go or JavaScript hooks. This combination gives small projects a focused foundation, particularly when embedded SQLite and a built-in administrative interface are more important than a broad platform ecosystem.
PocketBase uses an open-source, free model rather than tiered paid plans. The trade-off is operational responsibility: deployment is self-hosted, so infrastructure management remains with the developer. Its narrower backend scope may also make it a less suitable choice for projects that need a wider set of managed services or a hosted operating model. The project remains under active development and is not yet at version 1.0.0. Choose PocketBase for small self-hosted applications and prototypes; consider an alternative when hosted operations or broader backend coverage matter more than portability and simplicity.
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PocketBase pricing
PocketBase fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Database type | Relational |
| Authentication methods | Social |
| Serverless functions | Not verified |
| Realtime data | Yes |
| File storage | Yes |
| Automatic APIs | Yes |
| Free authentication users | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: Google OAuth, Facebook OAuth, GitHub OAuth, GitLab OAuth, Microsoft OAuth, Amazon S3-compatible storage |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | pocketbase.io |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
PocketBase integrations
PocketBase lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- Google OAuth
- Facebook OAuth
- GitHub OAuth
- GitLab OAuth
- Microsoft OAuth
- Amazon S3-compatible storage
Alternatives to PocketBase
- SupabaseA full-featured Postgres BaaS with APIs, auth, realtime, storage, and self-hosting.9.2
- Appwrite RealtimeA broad open-source backend platform with permission-aware realtime subscriptions.8.5
- ConvexA strong fit for TypeScript teams building realtime applications with an adaptable backend.8.4
See all PocketBase alternatives →
PocketBase vs the competition
- PocketBase vs Supabase
- PocketBase vs Appwrite Realtime
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Also Ranked In
PocketBase is ranked in 4 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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