PocketBase
A single-file backend with SQLite and auth.
In short
- What it is: Backend, 40k+ GitHub stars, licensed MIT.
- Replaces: Firebase — around $600/year saved.
- Installed for: $249 on your own server — you own it, no monthly platform fee.
- Licence: MIT. MIT/Apache-2.0 — white-label and resell freely.
$600
replaces per year
$3,000
saved over 5 years
$249
one-time install (yours forever)
48h
delivery
PocketBase vs the tools it replaces.
| Feature | Commercial tool | PocketBase (self-hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $50/mo | Your compute only |
| Branding | Vendor brand | Yours |
| Data | Vendor-hosted | On your server |
| Licence | Proprietary | MIT |
Replaces
- Firebase — ~$50/mo
Licence posture
MIT. You can white-label and resell this. We'll brand it as yours.
MIT/Apache-2.0 — white-label and resell freely.
Turn it into a business.
Bundle it into a branded product you sell: install, brand it, charge a setup fee plus a monthly care plan. Because the licence is permissive, you can strip the branding and resell it as your own.
Best for
Install difficulty
medium
The install, step by step.
Provision VPS + Docker
Configure secrets + provider keys
Database + storage setup
Branding + domain
HTTPS + backups
Smoke test + handover
Watch a PocketBase install.
We generate an architecture diagram of the repo and walk through the deployment. Enter your name and email to unlock the demo.
Install PocketBase — $249.
Flat fee, delivered in 24–48 hours, on your own server, with HTTPS, backups and the AI keys wired.
PocketBase: common questions
What does PocketBase replace?
Firebase — about $600 a year in subscriptions you stop paying.
How much does it cost to run PocketBase?
No licence fee — it ships under MIT. You pay only for your own server and any model/API keys. We install, harden and hand it over for a one-time $249.
Can I white-label and resell PocketBase?
You can white-label and resell this. We'll brand it as yours. MIT/Apache-2.0 — white-label and resell freely.
How hard is the install, and how long does it take?
We rate it medium. Delivered in 24–48 hours on your own server, with HTTPS, backups and the AI keys wired.
What do I actually own after installing PocketBase?
The running app, your data and the brand. No monthly platform fee and no per-seat pricing — you own it outright.
Other repos people install with PocketBase.
Supabase
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BackendAppwrite
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BackendNhost
Open-source Firebase alternative on Postgres.
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BackendHasura
Instant GraphQL on your database.
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Chat UILibreChat
A full multi-model ChatGPT-style interface with auth, multi-user and presets.
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Chat UIOpen WebUI
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