PGCat vs Supabase: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between PGCat and Supabase comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
PGCat
PostgreSQL pooler and proxy with sharding, load balancing, and failover support.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • PostgreSQL connection pooler and proxy.
- • Supports sharding, load balancing, and failover.
Supabase
Open source Firebase alternative
Best for you if:
- • Open-source Firebase alternative
- • PostgreSQL with real-time subscriptions
| At a Glance |  PGCat |  Supabase |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | - | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose PGCat or Supabase?
Choose PGCat if
PostgreSQL pooler and proxy with sharding, load balancing, and failover support.
- Enhances PostgreSQL performance and scalability.
- Provides robust failover and load balancing for high availability.
- Offers advanced features like sharding and mirroring (though some are experimental).
- You want a fully free tool (Supabase requires payment)
Choose Supabase if
Open source Firebase alternative
- Full PostgreSQL access
- Generous free tier
- Open-source and self-hostable
| Feature | PGCat | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.6/5 218 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesDeveloper Tools | Data & DatabasesAPI Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
PGCat
PostgreSQL pooler and proxy with sharding, load balancing, and failover support.
PGCat's pricing is extremely generous, as it offers a fully functional, open-source solution completely free of charge.
Strengths
- +Enhances PostgreSQL performance and scalability.
- +Provides robust failover and load balancing for high availability.
- +Offers advanced features like sharding and mirroring (though some are experimental).
- +Multi-threaded architecture efficiently uses multicore machines.
- +Open-source with an MIT license.
Weaknesses
- -Some advanced features (sharding, mirroring) are still experimental.
- -Requires Rust for local development.
- -Optimal performance recommends 4 CPUs for default worker settings.
Key features
Supabase
Open source Firebase alternative
Supabase is the open-source Firebase alternative that developers actually want to use, Postgres database, authentication, storage, edge functions, and real-time subscriptions in one platform.
Watch out
Free projects pause after 7 days of inactivity: your app goes offline until someone visits it again. Not suitable for any production use, only for development and demos
Strengths
- +Full PostgreSQL access
- +Generous free tier
- +Open-source and self-hostable
- +Great developer experience
Weaknesses
- -Projects pause on free tier
- -Smaller ecosystem than Firebase
- -Less mature than alternatives
Key features
Pricing: PGCat vs Supabase
| Plan | PGCat | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Open Source | $0 Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $25 Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $599 Team |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on PGCat pricing and Supabase pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
PGCat is free. Supabase is freemium.
Go with: PGCat
Want the highest-rated option?
Supabase is rated 4.6/5. PGCat has no ratings yet.
Go with: Supabase
Value user reviews?
PGCat: no ratings yet. Supabase: 218 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Supabase
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
PGCat is free. Supabase is freemium. Go with PGCat if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are data & databases tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Supabase is rated 4.6/5; PGCat has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Supabase
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
PGCat
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Supabase is our pick. That said, PGCat is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PGCat or Supabase better?
Supabase is rated in our evaluation. PGCat is free and Supabase is freemium.
What are PGCat and Supabase used for?
PGCat: PostgreSQL pooler and proxy with sharding, load balancing, and failover support.. Supabase: Open source Firebase alternative.
What does PGCat cost vs Supabase?
PGCat is completely free. Supabase is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.