Supabase

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Welcome to Open Pioneers #30 - your weekly update from the forefront of open source.

Today, we talk about:

• Supabase, an open source alternative to Firebase

• New projects including an AI scientist, a cross-device data storage, and a dynamic website CMS without database

• Open vacancies at Mend.io, Vercel, dbt Labs, and n8n

Since last week, we welcomed 19 new Open Pioneers. 👋

🔍 Project spotlight

Supabase, the open source alternative to Firebase

Supabase is an open-source platform that offers a complete backend solution for developers, enabling them to build applications quickly and efficiently. It has been dubbed the "open-source Firebase alternative," thanks to its extensive feature set that mirrors many of Firebase's offerings while prioritizing transparency, flexibility, and community collaboration.

Core Features

At its core, Supabase provides a suite of tools that developers need to build robust applications. The platform includes a real-time database, authentication, storage, and auto-generated APIs, all integrated and ready to use with minimal setup. The backbone of Supabase is PostgreSQL, which powers the database and allows for advanced features like row-level security, full-text search, and foreign keys—features that are often missing in other backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platforms.

The real-time capabilities of Supabase are particularly noteworthy. With its built-in WebSocket support, any changes made to the database are instantly synchronized across clients, making it an excellent choice for real-time applications such as chat apps, collaborative tools, and live dashboards.

Supabase offers a wide range of login methods, including email, social logins (like Google and GitHub), and even magic links.

An Alternative to Firebase

Supabase directly competes with Firebase, Google's popular backend service, by providing similar services without locking developers into a proprietary ecosystem. Unlike Firebase, Supabase is open-source, meaning that developers have full access to the source code and can customize, extend, or even self-host the service. This open nature not only offers more control and transparency but also alleviates concerns over vendor lock-in—a significant advantage for teams that require long-term stability and independence.

The Story behind Supabase

Supabase was founded in 2020 by Paul Copplestone and Ant Wilson, who were motivated by the lack of open-source alternatives to Firebase. The duo set out to create a developer-friendly backend that could be both powerful and easy to use, all while maintaining the openness and community-driven ethos of open-source software.

Since its inception, Supabase has seen rapid growth and adoption. The project quickly gained traction in the developer community, thanks to its robust features, ease of use, and the trust that comes from being an open-source platform. The company has raised significant venture capital to accelerate development, and its active community continues to contribute to its rapid improvement and expansion. Today, Supabase is used by thousands of developers and companies around the world, solidifying its place as a leading alternative in the BaaS space.

Supabase's success is a testament to the growing demand for open-source software that doesn't compromise on features or usability. As it continues to evolve, Supabase is not just an alternative to Firebase—it's a compelling option for any developer looking to build scalable, real-time applications with the full power of open-source technology behind them.

Learn more about Supabase: Website | GitHub | X

🔥 New projects started last week

An AI scientist, a cross-device data storage, and a dynamic website CMS without database

💼 Open source jobs

Work for Mend.io, Vercel, dbt Labs, and n8n

• Senior Algorithm Developer (Germany) at Mend.io Apply

• Senior Customer Success Engineer (Remote, Australia/Japan) at Vercel Apply

• Account Manager (Austin) at dbt Labs Apply

• Head of Support Engineering (Remote, Europe) at n8n Apply

If you’d like your job postings to be listed, fill out this form (100% free).

🔭 Open source social monitor

Building a simple calendar app with Claude

📚 More open source content

What I enjoyed reading last week

• Open Source AI Model Accurately Predicted Olive Oil Prices Link

• Open-source projects shaping the future of EV charging Link

• Meta: DCPerf - An open source benchmark suite for hyperscale compute applications Link

Until next week,

Jonathan (@jonathimer)

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