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Nhost vs PocketBase

Nhost: Open-source backend platform on Postgres with Hasura GraphQL, auth, storage and functions. PocketBase: Open-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI.

key differences

  • Nhost is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than PocketBase (≤ 100 GB).
  • Only Nhost has full-text search, vector search, stored procedures.
  • Only PocketBase has geospatial, online schema changes.
  • PocketBase can run embedded in your application process.

choose nhost for

  • +GraphQL-first web and mobile backends
  • +Firebase replacement on Postgres
  • +SaaS MVPs needing auth and storage 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

NhostOpen-source backend platform on Postgres with Hasura GraphQL, auth, storage and functions.
PocketBaseOpen-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
Vector
Document
Type
Backend platform
Backend platform
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Nhost AB
Gani Georgiev
First release
2020
2022
Latest version
–
0.41.0 (Oct 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)MIT License
Open source (permissive)MIT License
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
13.8
32.0
Rank
#244
#74
GitHub stars
9.4K
61.6K
Stack Overflow questions
–
68
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Full
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
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
GraphQL, SQL
PocketBase filter syntax, SQL (via hooks)
Client languages
JavaScript, Dart, Swift, Kotlin
JavaScript, Dart
Best for
OLTP, Content, Vector search
OLTP, Content, Pub/Sub, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Nhost vs PocketBase: FAQ

What is the difference between Nhost and PocketBase?

Nhost: Open-source backend platform on Postgres with Hasura GraphQL, auth, storage and functions. PocketBase: Open-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI. Nhost is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than PocketBase (≤ 100 GB). Only Nhost has full-text search, vector search, stored procedures. Only PocketBase has geospatial, online schema changes.

When should I choose Nhost over PocketBase?

Choose Nhost for GraphQL-first web and mobile backends; firebase replacement on Postgres; and SaaS MVPs needing auth and storage quickly. Choose PocketBase for MVPs and indie SaaS backends; internal tools and admin panels; and mobile app backends with auth and file uploads.

Is Nhost or PocketBase more popular?

PocketBase ranks #74 on the WhichDB Score (32.0/100) and Nhost ranks #244 (13.8/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Nhost and PocketBase open source?

Yes. Nhost is open source. License: MIT License. Yes. PocketBase is open source. License: MIT License.