supabase vs parse-server
Two of the top projects in Backends and databases, side by side: who leads on each score part and who each one suits, then setup, license, activity and what each review found.
supabase
Postgres backend with auth, storage, realtime and edge functions
parse-server
Node.js backend with REST and GraphQL APIs on MongoDB or PostgreSQL
Verdict
supabase ranks higher, 73 to 66. Of the 5 score parts we measure for both, supabase leads on 2, parse-server on 2 and 1 is even.
- Adoptionsupabase leads by 54 points, 97 to 43: a wide gap.
- FreshnessEven at 100.
- Maintenanceparse-server leads by 6 points, 78 to 72.
- Easy to runparse-server leads by 34 points, 67 to 33: a wide gap.
- Agent-readysupabase leads by 85 points, 85 to 0: a wide gap.
Pick supabase if you are
Developers needing a Postgres backend with auth, storage and vectors
- Built on Postgres, PostgREST, GoTrue and Realtime, so the data layer is plain SQL
- Official clients for JavaScript/TypeScript, Flutter, Swift and Python
Pick parse-server if you are
Developers self-hosting a REST/GraphQL backend for mobile and web apps
- Runs standalone or embedded in an existing Express app
- Supports both MongoDB (7, 8) and PostgreSQL (16-18) with PostGIS
| What we compare | supabase | parse-server |
|---|---|---|
| Score parts, out of 100 | ||
| Adoption | 97, widely used | 43, known |
| Freshness | 100, active | 100, active |
| Maintenance | 72, fair | 78, fair |
| Easy to run | 33, some setup | 67, easy |
| Agent-ready | 85, ready | 0, none |
| Facts from GitHub and the README | ||
| Stars | 111.5k | 21.4k |
| License | Apache-2.0 (permissive) | Apache-2.0 (permissive) |
| Last commit | Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| Last release | Aug 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| Language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Docker | Yes | Yes |
| GPU | Not needed | Not needed |
| arm64 or Apple Silicon | Not stated | Not stated |
supabase
Supabase bundles a Postgres database with generated REST and GraphQL APIs, JWT-based auth, S3-backed file storage, realtime change feeds over websockets, and edge functions. It also includes a vector and embeddings toolkit for AI workloads. It runs as a hosted platform, can be self-hosted, or run locally, and has official clients for JavaScript, Flutter, Swift and Python.
Who it is for: Developers needing a Postgres backend with auth, storage and vectors
Strengths
- Built on Postgres, PostgREST, GoTrue and Realtime, so the data layer is plain SQL
- Official clients for JavaScript/TypeScript, Flutter, Swift and Python
- Hosted, self-hosted and local development options
- Apache-2.0 license; vector and embeddings toolkit included
Weaknesses
- Many separate services to run when self-hosting; README gives no resource requirements
- Go, Java, Rust, Ruby and C# clients are community-maintained, some partial
- Repo has no Docker or compose files; self-hosting is documented elsewhere
- no GPU
- Compose
- Needs PostgreSQL, S3-compatible storage, Envoy
parse-server
Parse Server is a self-hosted backend that runs on Node.js, either standalone via the parse-server CLI or mounted on an Express app. It exposes REST and GraphQL APIs backed by MongoDB or PostgreSQL (with PostGIS), and adds Cloud Code, Live Query, push notifications, file adapters and per-key access scopes. Official Parse SDKs cover the major client platforms.
Who it is for: Developers self-hosting a REST/GraphQL backend for mobile and web apps
Strengths
- Runs standalone or embedded in an existing Express app
- Supports both MongoDB (7, 8) and PostgreSQL (16-18) with PostGIS
- Includes Cloud Code, Live Query, GraphQL, push and pluggable file storage adapters
- Fine-grained access scopes: master, read-only master, session and maintenance keys
Weaknesses
- No built-in admin UI in this repo; a separate dashboard project is needed
- Requires you to provision and operate your own MongoDB or PostgreSQL
- Docker image must be built from the repo; README shows no prebuilt image or compose file
- Node.js version support is tied to specific majors and shifts with each release
- no GPU
- Docker
- Needs Node.js 20, 22 or 24, MongoDB 7/8 or PostgreSQL 16-18 with PostGIS
- port 1337
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