Platform Bundle vs Single Binary
Appwrite vs PocketBase: Which One Should You Choose in 1970?
PocketBase is the smallest possible backend: one executable containing SQLite, auth, realtime and an admin UI. Appwrite offers more services and language SDKs, at the cost of a multi-container deployment.
Quick verdict
- Fastest prototype and backups
- PocketBaseone file, SQLite copy as backup
- Scale and service breadth
- Appwritefunctions, storage, multiple SQL-ready services
Appwrite vs PocketBase: feature comparison
| Feature | AppwriteOpen SourceSelf-Hostable | PocketBaseOpen SourceSelf-Hostable |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Docker Compose (many services) | One executable |
| Storage Engine | MariaDB | SQLite |
| Horizontal Scaling | Yes | Limited (single SQLite file) |
| Managed Cloud | Official Appwrite Cloud | Unofficial third parties only |
| Licence | BSD-3-Clause | MIT |
Pricing takeaway
PocketBase is free under MIT with no cloud bill at all; Appwrite Cloud Pro starts at $15/mo. The saving on PocketBase is real, but you also own backups, uptime and scaling.
- Appwrite
- Open source (BSD-3) / Cloud plans. Starts at $0 (self-hosted) or $15/mo (Cloud Pro). Cloud free tier: 1 project, 2GB storage.Full Appwrite pricing breakdown
- PocketBase
- Free (MIT), no official managed cloud. Starts at $0 (self-hosted single binary). Unlimited self-hosted under MIT.Full PocketBase pricing breakdown
Pros and cons
Appwrite
Visit AppwritePros
- Auth, databases, storage, functions and messaging in one self-hostable stack
- REST and GraphQL APIs with SDKs for web, mobile and server
- BSD-3 licence, so everything can run on your own servers
Cons
- Many moving services make self-hosting heavier than Supabase
- Smaller community and fewer tutorials than Firebase or Supabase
- Cloud free tier is tighter than Supabase's
PocketBase
Visit PocketBasePros
- One executable with SQLite, auth, realtime subscriptions and an admin UI
- Backups are a single database file copy
- MIT licensed with no vendor account, billing or seat count
Cons
- SQLite limits horizontal scaling under very high write load
- No official managed offering, so uptime and backups are yours
- Young plugin ecosystem compared with Supabase or Appwrite
Appwrite vs PocketBase: FAQ
Is PocketBase a good alternative to Appwrite?
PocketBase is the smallest possible backend: one executable containing SQLite, auth, realtime and an admin UI. Appwrite offers more services and language SDKs, at the cost of a multi-container deployment.
Which is cheaper, Appwrite or PocketBase?
PocketBase is free under MIT with no cloud bill at all; Appwrite Cloud Pro starts at $15/mo. The saving on PocketBase is real, but you also own backups, uptime and scaling.
Is Appwrite or PocketBase open source?
Appwrite is open source (github.com/appwrite/appwrite). PocketBase is open source (github.com/pocketbase/pocketbase).
Can I self-host Appwrite or PocketBase?
Appwrite can be self-hosted. Difficulty: Medium (Docker Compose with many services). PocketBase can be self-hosted. Difficulty: Low (one executable plus SQLite).
Do Appwrite and PocketBase have a free tier?
Appwrite: Cloud free tier: 1 project, 2GB storage. PocketBase: Unlimited self-hosted under MIT.