Appwrite
Open-source BaaS (auth, DB, storage, functions) you can self-host via one Docker Compose command or run on their cloud. Good if vendor lock-in worries you.
What is Appwrite?
Appwrite is an open-source backend-as-a-service covering auth, database, storage, and serverless functions, distributed as a self-hostable stack you can run with a single Docker Compose command, or as a managed cloud offering. It targets the same "skip building your own backend" niche as Firebase or Supabase, but with self-hosting as a first-class option rather than an afterthought.
Key features
- Auth, database, file storage, and functions ship as one integrated stack instead of separate services you wire together
- Self-host via Docker Compose or use Appwrite Cloud, same codebase either way
- SDKs across web, mobile, and server-side languages with a consistent API surface
- Built-in permissions model scoped down to individual documents and files
- Realtime subscriptions for database and storage changes
Who it's for
Good fit if vendor lock-in is a real concern and you want the option to move your backend to your own infrastructure without a rewrite. If you're fine being tied to a single vendor's cloud, Firebase or Supabase have more mature ecosystems around them.
Pricing
Self-hosting is free (open source); Appwrite Cloud has a free tier for small projects with usage-based paid plans on top. Check the site for current limits.