Appwrite vs Pocketbase: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Appwrite and Pocketbase side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Appwrite
Open-source backend for web, mobile, and Flutter. Self-host or cloud
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
Pocketbase
Open-source backend in a single file
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Appwrite requires payment)
| At a Glance | Appwrite | Pocketbase |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $25/mo, billed monthly Pro plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Low-Code Backend Data & Databases | Low-Code Backend Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.0 5 reviews | 4.3/5 SourceForge 4.3 67 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Overage fees for exceeding Pro limits | n/a |
Choose Appwrite or Pocketbase?
Choose Appwrite if
- You want open source
- You want self-hostable
Choose Pocketbase if
- You want a fully free tool (Appwrite requires payment)
- You want simple backend in a file
- You want SQLite based
In-Depth Analysis
Appwrite
Open-source backend for web, mobile, and Flutter. Self-host or cloud
Appwrite's pricing is quite generous, especially the Free tier which offers substantial limits for hobbyists and small projects.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding Pro limits
Strengths
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Multi-platform SDKs
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Less mature
Key features
Pocketbase
Open-source backend in a single file
The pricing for Pocketbase is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely open-source and free.
Strengths
- Pro: Simple backend in a file
- Pro: SQLite based
- Pro: Real-time subscriptions
- Pro: Auth built-in
- Pro: Open source
Weaknesses
- Con: Single file limits scale
- Con: Go knowledge helpful
- Con: Limited ecosystem
- Con: Not for large apps
- Con: Documentation basic
Key features
Plans and prices: Appwrite vs Pocketbase
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Appwrite |
| appwrite.io/pricing read Oct 28, 2026 |
| Pocketbase |
| pocketbase.io read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Appwrite pricing and Pocketbase pricing.
Key Takeaways
Appwrite
- Choose if you want open-source backend for web, mobile, and Flutter. Self-host or cloud
Pocketbase
- Choose if you want open-source backend in a single file
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.4/5 from 5 reviews for Appwrite, 4.3/5 from 67 reviews for Pocketbase; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Appwrite starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Pocketbase has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Appwrite and Pocketbase compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.4/5 from 5 reviews for Appwrite, 4.3/5 from 67 reviews for Pocketbase; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Appwrite starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Pocketbase has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Appwrite and Pocketbase used for?
Appwrite: Open-source backend for web, mobile, and Flutter. Self-host or cloud. Pocketbase: Open-source backend in a single file.
What does Appwrite cost vs Pocketbase?
Appwrite's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $25/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Pocketbase is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 28, 2026.
What's the main difference between Appwrite and Pocketbase?
Appwrite's main strength: open source. Pocketbase's main strength: simple backend in a file.