PocketBase review
A focused, self-hosted backend for small apps and prototypes.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
PocketBase pros and cons
- 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
PocketBase fact sheet, pricing and score →
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