Pocketbase
Open-source · self-hostable · replaces 2 SaaS tools on os-alt
pocketbase/pocketbase · alive · ★ 58.3k · last commit today · 17 open issues
License: MIT
Good fit for Greenfield apps where you'd take SQLite + auth + file storage in one binary over Mongo's flexible-schema model.
Weak at SQLite ceiling — works for tens of thousands of users, not millions; realtime is via WebSocket but lacks Firestore's offline-first cache.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli firebase prints
the Firebase comparison table including Pocketbase.
how the CLI works →
Replaces these SaaS
- Firebase · Backend-as-a-service (auth + DB + storage + realtime)
Pocketbase uses SQLite, so migration is hand-rolled: write a Node script that reads Firestore via `firebase-admin` and POSTs to Pocketbase's REST API. Auth users likewise — Pocketbase exposes `/api/collections/users/records` for batch user insert (you'll need to either reset passwords or import bcrypt-hashed ones via the admin API).
- MongoDB Atlas · Document database (managed)
Different model — PocketBase isn't wire-compatible with Mongo. Path: write a one-shot script that reads from Atlas via the Mongo driver and writes to PocketBase via its REST/JS SDK. Atlas's flexible-schema documents flatten to PocketBase 'Collections' (typed schemas).
README badges for the SaaS this replaces
Maintainers and forks: drop a badge in your README to link readers from the SaaS-comparison page back to your repo.
FAQ
Is Pocketbase actively maintained?
Yes — last commit today. The repository is alive (commit activity within the past 90 days).
What does Pocketbase cost to self-host?
Pocketbase is free and open source under MIT. Typical self-host VPS cost: $5 VPS handles low-to-medium traffic; SQLite + WAL is surprisingly far-reaching.
Which SaaS does Pocketbase replace?
Pocketbase is listed as an open-source self-host alternative to: Firebase, MongoDB Atlas.