What is the difference between Supabase and EdgeDB?

Supabase is best for Developers who want a full backend with Postgres at the core, while EdgeDB is best for Developers wanting a modern relational database with better DX. Supabase starts at $25/mo and EdgeDB starts at Free.

Is Supabase or EdgeDB cheaper?

Supabase starts at $25/mo with a free tier. EdgeDB starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to EdgeDB?

Both Supabase and EdgeDB offer free tiers.

Supabase vs EdgeDB

Supabase is Open-source Firebase alternative providing a Postgres database, authentication, storage, and edge functions, while EdgeDB is modern database with a powerful query language, built-in auth, and schema-first design. The biggest difference up front: EdgeDB is free, while Supabase starts at $25/mo. Supabase is built for developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core, whereas EdgeDB targets developers wanting a modern relational database with better dx.

At a glance

	Supabase	EdgeDB
Best for	Developers who want a full backend with Postgres at the core	Developers wanting a modern relational database with better DX
Starting price	$25/mo	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	✓	✓
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	✓	✓
Auth	✓	—
Built-In Auth	—	✓
Edge Functions	✓	—
EdgeQL	—	✓
Migrations	—	✓
Postgres	✓	—
Realtime	✓	—
Schema-First	—	✓
Storage	✓	—

Supabase

Strengths

Full Postgres database with SQL access and extensions
Open source with self-hosting option for full control
Built-in auth, storage, and realtime subscriptions
Generous free tier for prototyping and small projects

Weaknesses

Free tier pauses inactive projects after one week
Edge functions are still maturing compared to alternatives
Connection pooling can be tricky at scale
Dashboard can feel overwhelming with many features

Try Supabase → Full review

EdgeDB

Strengths

Open source and transparent
Includes EdgeQL as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
Fully open-source — you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in
Free 1 GB — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in database
Community support can be slower than the dedicated support teams at commercial alternatives

Try EdgeDB → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: EdgeDB is completely free (Free 1 GB), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Supabase starts at $25/mo, but Free for 2 projects, pauses after inactivity. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.

Feature gaps: Supabase offers Auth, Edge Functions and Postgres that EdgeDB lacks. EdgeDB brings Built-In Auth, EdgeQL and Migrations that Supabase does not have.

Team fit: Supabase is geared toward any size teams, while EdgeDB is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Open source: Both Supabase and EdgeDB are open source, so self-hosting and code audits are on the table with either choice.

Where each tool shines: Supabase's biggest strengths are: full postgres database with sql access and extensions. open source with self-hosting option for full control. EdgeDB's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. includes edgeql as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows.

Watch out for: With Supabase, users commonly note that free tier pauses inactive projects after one week. With EdgeDB, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose Supabase if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core
You specifically need Auth and Edge Functions
You care about open source with self-hosting option for full control
Your team size fits the any size profile Supabase is designed for
The free tier works for you: free for 2 projects, pauses after inactivity

Choose EdgeDB if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting a modern relational database with better dx
Budget is a hard constraint — EdgeDB is free, Supabase is not
You specifically need Built-In Auth and EdgeQL
You care about includes edgeql as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
Your team size fits the small teams profile EdgeDB is designed for