Appwrite vs PocketBase
Is it time to switch? We break down the differences so you can stop bleeding money.
Choose PocketBase.
If you want to own your data, save money, and avoid vendor lock-in, PocketBase is more popular among developers.
What Actually Matters
No fluff — just the differences that affect your decision
Both open source, different licenses: Appwrite uses BSD-3-Clause, PocketBase uses MIT. Check the fine print if you're building commercial.
Both can run on your own metal with Docker. Full data ownership, no cloud dependency. We have deploy guides for each.
Appwrite (57.7k★) and PocketBase (61.4k★) — both well-established. Neither is going anywhere.
Appwrite is built in TypeScript, PocketBase in Go. Matters if you want to contribute, extend, or debug internals.
Want self-hosted with a single docker command? Go Appwrite. Need ships as a single binary — no dependencies? Go PocketBase. For most teams: pick the one you can own.
Appwrite
Appwrite® - complete cloud infrastructure for your web, mobile and AI apps. Including Auth, Databases, Storage, Functions, Messaging, Hosting, Realtime and more
Why Choose Appwrite
- ✓Self-hosted with a single Docker command
- ✓Modular architecture — use only what you need
Drawbacks
- ×Smaller ecosystem than Firebase or Supabase
- ×Limited built-in analytics and reporting
PocketBase
Open Source realtime backend in 1 file
Why Choose PocketBase
- ✓Ships as a single binary — no dependencies
- ✓Deploy anywhere in seconds with zero config
- ✓Embedded SQLite with realtime subscriptions
Drawbacks
- ×SQLite only (for now)
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