PocketBase

Single-binary open-source backend

PocketBase is an open-source backend in a single Go binary with 44K+ GitHub stars providing a real-time database, authentication, file storage, and admin dashboard. No dependencies, no Docker required — just download and run. Features collection-based data modeling, REST API, real-time subscriptions, OAuth2 authentication, file uploads with thumbnails, and a built-in admin UI. Extends with custom Go code or JavaScript hooks. Ideal for prototyping, MVPs, and small-to-medium applications.

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About PocketBase

PocketBase packages an entire backend into a single Go binary — database, auth, file storage, admin UI. No dependencies, no Docker, no configuration. Download and run.

Collection-based data modeling with field types, validation, and relations. REST API with filtering, sorting, pagination. Real-time subscriptions via SSE for live data updates.

Built-in OAuth2 authentication with email/password and social providers. File uploads with automatic thumbnail generation. Admin dashboard for visual data management.

Extends with custom Go routes or JavaScript hooks for business logic. Ideal for prototyping, MVPs, and applications that value simplicity over enterprise scale.

Pricing & Platform Specs

Pricing Summary

100% free and open source under the MIT License ($0 software cost). PocketBase is a self-contained single-file Go/SQLite backend with zero licensing fees and minimal self-hosting infrastructure costs (~$3-$5/mo VPS).

full pricing breakdown →

Supported Platforms

Single binary, any OS, SQLite

Explore categories, tags & use cases

Use Cases

Full-Stack Development Self-Hosted Deployment

Alternatives

All PocketBase alternatives →

Directus

Open data platform wrapping any SQL database with instant APIs

Directus is a database-first open data platform that wraps any existing SQL database with instant REST and GraphQL APIs, a no-code admin dashboard, and built-in authentication. Unlike traditional headless CMS platforms that impose their own data model, Directus introspects your existing schema and works on top of it — supporting PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MS SQL, MariaDB, and CockroachDB out of the box.

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Nexa SDK

Cross-platform on-device AI model runtime

Nexa SDK enables running frontier LLMs and multimodal models locally across PC, mobile, IoT, and wearables with automatic hardware acceleration for GPU, NPU, and CPU. It supports Qwen, Gemma, Llama, DeepSeek models with Python/C++ desktop SDKs, Android/iOS mobile SDKs, and Docker for edge deployment. Includes an OpenAI-compatible API server with chat and function calling support.

Open Source

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Side-by-Side Comparisons

Directus

PocketBase

Directus vs PocketBase — Headless CMS with Data Studio vs All-in-One Backend in a Single File

Directus provides an enterprise headless CMS and data platform with a visual data studio, granular access control, and extensive API generation from any SQL database. PocketBase delivers a complete backend with database, auth, and file storage in a single Go binary under five megabytes. Directus wins for enterprise content management while PocketBase wins for rapid lightweight backend development.

DirectusPocketBase

Appwrite

Supabase

PocketBase

Appwrite vs Supabase vs PocketBase — Open-Source Backend Comparison

Open-source backend platforms have matured into genuine Firebase alternatives in 2026, each offering a different philosophy of data ownership, developer experience, and scalability. Supabase builds on PostgreSQL with a relational-first approach, Appwrite provides a comprehensive all-in-one platform via Docker microservices, and PocketBase delivers a single-binary backend requiring zero external dependencies. This comparison evaluates their architectures, feature sets, pricing, and ideal use cases.

Appwrite SupabasePocketBase

Community experience

Sources & verification

PocketBase Official Documentation & Repository

Sources checked: September 5, 2026
Content verified: September 6, 2026

Verification dates are editorial checks. Routine CMS saves and automatic updatedAt timestamps do not advance them.

FAQ

What is PocketBase?

Is PocketBase free?

Yes — PocketBase is open source and free to use. 100% free and open source under the MIT License ($0 software cost). PocketBase is a self-contained single-file Go/SQLite backend with zero licensing fees and minimal self-hosting infrastructure costs (~$3-$5/mo VPS).

Is PocketBase open source?

Yes — PocketBase is open source.

Is PocketBase still maintained?

Yes — PocketBase is active. Its listing was last verified on September 6, 2026.

What are the best PocketBase alternatives?

The first editor-selected PocketBase alternatives are Directus, Nexa SDK.

PocketBase

About PocketBase

Pricing & Platform Specs

Pricing Summary

Supported Platforms

Categories

Tags

Use Cases

Alternatives

Directus