Supabase or Firebase for an AI-built mobile app?
For AI-built apps, Supabase is safer by default because row-level security is enforced in Postgres and easier to review. Firebase is better if you need Google-scale free tier or heavy real-time push. Both are production-viable.
Why it matters
AI code generators are worse at Firestore security rules than at SQL RLS. Rules are a small custom language with subtle failure modes; RLS is just SQL with a policy clause.
How to do it
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Choose Supabase if
You want SQL. You want to audit security in a readable format. You are comfortable with Postgres. Your data is relational.
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Choose Firebase if
You need heavy real-time (multi-user presence, collaborative editing). Your data is document-shaped. You want first-class push notifications.
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Either way, enable security before writing app code
Both platforms let you disable security for prototyping. Do not ship in that state. Turn on RLS or write your Firestore rules before your first paying user.
Frequently asked
- Can I switch later?
- Yes but painfully. Data model shapes differ. Migrate before you have thousands of users, not after.
- Which is cheaper?
- Firebase free tier is more generous for read-heavy apps. Supabase pro at $25/mo is cheaper for anything above the free tier if you avoid huge amounts of storage.