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Appwrite vs PocketBase

Appwrite: Open-source backend platform with databases, auth, storage, functions and realtime, self-hosted or cloud. PocketBase: Open-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI.

key differences

  • Appwrite is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than PocketBase (≤ 100 GB).
  • Horizontal scaling is manual in Appwrite and none in PocketBase.
  • Transactions: Appwrite offers limited ACID; PocketBase offers full.
  • Only Appwrite has full-text search, vector search.
  • Only PocketBase has transactions, joins, geospatial, online schema changes.
  • PocketBase can run embedded in your application process.

choose appwrite for

  • +Self-hosted backend for mobile and web apps
  • +Firebase replacement with data sovereignty requirements
  • +Internal tools needing auth, storage and functions quickly

best at · OLTP, Content, Vector search

choose pocketbase for

  • +MVPs and indie SaaS backends
  • +Internal tools and admin panels
  • +Mobile app backends with auth and file uploads
  • +Self-hosted alternatives to Firebase for small apps

best at · OLTP, Content, Pub/Sub

AppwriteOpen-source backend platform with databases, auth, storage, functions and realtime, self-hosted or cloud.
PocketBaseOpen-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
Document, Vector
Document
Type
Backend platform
Backend platform
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Appwrite
Gani Georgiev
First release
2019
2022
Latest version
2.6.2 (Oct 24, 2026)
0.41.0 (Oct 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)BSD 3-Clause License
Open source (permissive)MIT License
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
27.2
32.0
Rank
#106
#74
GitHub stars
57.8K
61.6K
Stack Overflow questions
216
68
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
Manual
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Limited
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Flexible
Strict
Architecture
Client server
Single node, Embedded, Client server
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
✓
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
✓
Edge
—
—
Clouds
–
–
capabilities
Transactions
—
✓
Joins
—
✓
Secondary indexes
✓
✓
Full-text search
✓
—
Vector search
✓
—
Geospatial
—
✓
JSON
✓
✓
Change data capture
—
—
Triggers
✓
✓
Stored procedures
—
—
Materialized views
—
—
TTL / expiry
—
—
Pub/Sub
✓
✓
Columnar storage
—
—
In-memory
—
—
Durable persistence
✓
✓
Compression
—
—
Encryption at rest
—
—
Role-based access
✓
✓
Time travel
—
—
Branching
—
—
Online schema changes
—
✓
Streaming ingest
—
—
Offline sync
—
—
Runs in WebAssembly
—
—
interfaces
Query languages
Appwrite Query API, GraphQL
PocketBase filter syntax, SQL (via hooks)
Client languages
JavaScript, Dart, Swift, Kotlin, Python, PHP, Ruby, Go
JavaScript, Dart
Best for
OLTP, Content, Vector search
OLTP, Content, Pub/Sub, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Appwrite vs PocketBase: FAQ

What is the difference between Appwrite and PocketBase?

Appwrite: Open-source backend platform with databases, auth, storage, functions and realtime, self-hosted or cloud. PocketBase: Open-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI. Appwrite is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than PocketBase (≤ 100 GB). Horizontal scaling is manual in Appwrite and none in PocketBase. Transactions: Appwrite offers limited ACID; PocketBase offers full.

When should I choose Appwrite over PocketBase?

Choose Appwrite for self-hosted backend for mobile and web apps; firebase replacement with data sovereignty requirements; and internal tools needing auth, storage and functions quickly. Choose PocketBase for MVPs and indie SaaS backends; internal tools and admin panels; and mobile app backends with auth and file uploads.

Is Appwrite or PocketBase more popular?

PocketBase ranks #74 on the WhichDB Score (32.0/100) and Appwrite ranks #106 (27.2/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Appwrite and PocketBase open source?

Yes. Appwrite is open source. License: BSD 3-Clause License. Yes. PocketBase is open source. License: MIT License.