// our stack - Supabase
Supabase, the open-source Postgres backend.
Supabase is an open-source backend built on PostgreSQL. In a single platform: relational database, authentication, automatically generated REST and GraphQL APIs, real-time, file storage and serverless functions. It's the open-source alternative to Firebase that we use as the backend foundation of our WeWeb and FlutterFlow applications, whenever the goal is solid relational data, fine-grained authentication, real-time and zero dependence on a single vendor.
Let's discuss your Supabase project// what Supabase covers
A complete backend, built around a real SQL database.
Supabase brings together everything an application needs on the server side, organised around PostgreSQL. The database stays at the centre: everything else - APIs, authentication, security, real-time - plugs straight into it, without stacking disparate services.
Full PostgreSQL database
A real relational SQL database: schemas, relations, constraints, views, functions, transactions. Not a crippled NoSQL - all the power and reliability of PostgreSQL, with its extensions. Your data stays structured, queryable and consistent.
Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs
Supabase automatically exposes a REST and GraphQL API from your database schema. Your tables become secure endpoints, immediately consumable by a WeWeb or FlutterFlow front end - without writing a backend layer by hand.
Authentication and Row Level Security
Authentication via email, magic link, OAuth (Google, GitHub...) and SSO. Security relies on PostgreSQL's Row Level Security policies: data access is controlled row by row, directly in the database - the right level of security, in the right place.
Native real-time
Subscribe over websocket to database changes: live updates, presence, broadcast. Ideal for collaborative dashboards, messaging, real-time activity tracking - without separate real-time infrastructure to maintain.
File storage and Edge Functions
Object storage for images and documents, with built-in access rules. And serverless Edge Functions (Deno / TypeScript) deployed close to users for custom business logic, webhooks and integrations with external services.
Open-source and portable
Supabase is open-source and built on standards (PostgreSQL). No vendor lock-in: the platform is self-hostable, your data is exportable at any time, and cloud hosting in Europe is available. You keep control of your backend.
// when Supabase is the right fit
The situations where Supabase is clearly the right choice.
Relational data and complex queries
As soon as the data model has relations, constraints and elaborate queries, a real SQL database makes the difference. PostgreSQL handles consistency, joins and aggregations far better than a NoSQL - without contorting your data to model it.
Authentication and fine-grained access rights
Multi-user applications with roles and granular permissions: Row Level Security applies access rules at the database level, row by row. Security doesn't depend on the front end - it's guaranteed on the data side.
Real-time and collaborative applications
Live dashboards, messaging, activity tracking, online presence: Supabase's native real-time pushes changes to users as soon as they happen, without polling or dedicated infrastructure.
Portability, open-source and sovereignty
When the goal is to avoid vendor lock-in, host in Europe or be able to export your data at any time: because Supabase is open-source and built on standard PostgreSQL, you stay in control of your backend and its hosting.
// real-world examples
What we deploy with Supabase.
- 01
Backend foundation of a WeWeb or FlutterFlow application
Supabase provides the database, authentication, APIs and security; the front end is built with WeWeb for web or FlutterFlow for mobile. A clear stack, a real relational database, no proprietary dependency.
- 02
Real-time collaborative application
Tools where several users see updates live: shared dashboards, operations tracking, internal messaging. Supabase's real-time syncs screens without reloading, for a smooth, collaborative experience.
- 03
Client area and secure portal
Customer portals with accounts, roles and permissions: each user only accesses their own data thanks to Row Level Security. OAuth or SSO authentication, access management directly in the database - security is structural, not bolted on afterwards.
- 04
AI features and semantic search
Thanks to PostgreSQL's pgvector extension, Supabase stores and queries embeddings directly in the database. This lets you build semantic search or RAG-style applications, orchestrating the logic with n8n - without deploying a separate vector database.
// limits to know
What Supabase doesn't do well - and our recommendation.
Not a 100% visual backend
Supabase offers a nice interface, but stays SQL- and code-oriented. If the team wants to build all the backend logic without writing code, in a fully visual interface, Xano is more accessible.
Google mobile ecosystem
For a mobile project deeply rooted in the Google ecosystem (push notifications, analytics, native crash reporting), Firebase remains more turnkey-integrated on those specific building blocks.
Postgres and SQL knowledge required
Modelling the schema and writing the security policies (RLS) requires technical skills. Poorly configured, data access can be too permissive. An initial scoping phase with ezacae lets you lay down a sound structure and security rules from the start.
// our recommendation
We use Supabase on projects where the goal is solid relational data, fine-grained authentication, real-time and the portability of open-source. For a fully visual no-code backend, we prefer Xano; for mobile deeply rooted in the Google ecosystem, Firebase. On the front-end side, Supabase pairs naturally with WeWeb or FlutterFlow. Check out our case studies and projects to see these choices in context.
// F.A.Q
Frequently asked questions about Supabase
What is Supabase and what is it used for?
Supabase is an open-source backend built on PostgreSQL. In a single platform it provides a relational database, automatically generated REST and GraphQL APIs, authentication, file storage, real-time and serverless functions. It acts as the backend foundation for web and mobile applications: you connect a WeWeb or FlutterFlow front end to ship a complete application, with a real SQL database and no vendor lock-in.
Is Supabase an alternative to Firebase?
Yes, Supabase is often presented as the open-source alternative to Firebase. The key difference: Supabase is built on PostgreSQL, a relational SQL database, whereas Firebase (Firestore) is a NoSQL database. Supabase is open-source, self-hostable and exportable, which avoids dependence on a single vendor. For structured, relational data, complex queries or portability requirements, Supabase is generally preferable. For a mobile project deeply rooted in the Google ecosystem, Firebase may remain more integrated.
Can Supabase be hosted in Europe and is it GDPR-compliant?
Yes. Supabase Cloud offers hosting regions in Europe, and because the platform is open-source, it can also be self-hosted on your own infrastructure. Your data remains exportable at any time (it's standard PostgreSQL). This makes it possible to meet GDPR and data sovereignty requirements while keeping control over hosting and portability.
Do you need to know how to code to use Supabase?
Supabase offers a complete graphical interface to create tables, manage authentication and configure storage without coding everything. However, getting the most out of the platform requires a grasp of relational databases and SQL, in particular to model the schema and write the security policies (Row Level Security). It's a tool aimed at technical teams or teams with support. An initial scoping phase with ezacae lets you lay down a sound data structure and security rules from the start.
Supabase or Xano: which should you choose?
Both are excellent backends for WeWeb or FlutterFlow applications. Xano is a visual no-code backend: you build business logic in an interface without writing code, ideal when the team wants to stay no-code. Supabase is built on PostgreSQL and is aimed at profiles more comfortable with SQL and code, in return offering the power of a real relational database, native real-time and open-source. The choice depends on the team's technical level, the need for complex queries and how important portability is.
Does Supabase handle real-time and AI features?
Yes. Supabase Realtime lets you subscribe over websocket to database changes, for collaborative interfaces, live updates or presence. On the AI side, PostgreSQL's pgvector extension lets you store and query embeddings directly in the database: you can build semantic search or RAG-style applications without deploying a separate vector database.
// see other tools
A Supabase project? Let's get moving.
Let's discuss your needs and see how Supabase can serve as a solid, secure and portable backend foundation for your application.
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