How Faucet compares

PostgREST, Hasura and Supabase are all good tools that solve real problems. Here's where each one fits, and where Faucet's REST + MCP approach is the better pick.

Comparisons

PostgREST

REST ยท PostgreSQL only

PostgREST turns a PostgreSQL database into a REST API. Faucet does that for seven databases and adds API keys, roles, an admin UI and a built-in MCP server.

Their strength
Mature and PostgreSQL-native. Reuses your Postgres roles and RLS.
Faucet's edge
7 databases, built-in RBAC, MCP for AI agents.
Faucet vs PostgREST

Hasura

GraphQL engine

Hasura is a GraphQL-first engine for PostgreSQL that reaches other databases through data connectors. Faucet is REST + MCP in one binary that runs without Docker.

Their strength
GraphQL, subscriptions, row- and column-level permissions.
Faucet's edge
REST + OpenAPI 3.1, MCP, single binary, MIT.
Faucet vs Hasura

Supabase

Backend platform

Supabase is a Postgres platform (database, auth, storage, realtime). Faucet puts an API on the databases you already have, including Supabase's Postgres.

Their strength
A full backend for new apps: auth, storage, realtime.
Faucet's edge
Works with existing databases, one binary, MCP built in.
Faucet vs Supabase

Short answer

Which one should I use?

  • Pick PostgREST if your data lives only in PostgreSQL and you already manage access with Postgres roles and row-level security.
  • Pick Hasura if your frontend is built around GraphQL or you need GraphQL subscriptions.
  • Pick Supabase if you're starting a new app and want hosted Postgres, user auth, storage and realtime in one place.
  • Pick Faucet if you want a REST API and an MCP server on a database you already run (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, or Snowflake) without writing code or running a platform.

At a glance

Quick comparison

Feature comparison of Faucet, PostgREST, Hasura and Supabase
Feature Faucet PostgREST Hasura Supabase
What it is REST API + MCP server for your existing database REST server for PostgreSQL GraphQL engine Postgres platform (database, auth, storage, realtime)
API style REST + MCP, OpenAPI 3.1 REST GraphQL (REST via RESTified endpoints) REST + GraphQL
Databases 7: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, Snowflake PostgreSQL only PostgreSQL-first; others via data connectors PostgreSQL only
MCP server for AI agents Built in: 8 tools, stdio + Streamable HTTP (/mcp) No Not built into the open-source v2 engine Separate Supabase MCP server for managing your Supabase projects
Access control Built in: roles with per-service / per-table verb permissions; API keys bound to roles; fail-closed External JWT + PostgreSQL roles and RLS JWT or auth webhook + permission rules Supabase Auth + PostgreSQL RLS
Admin UI Embedded in the binary None Hasura Console Supabase Studio
Deployment Single static binary (Linux, macOS, Windows), Docker, npm, Homebrew Single binary, Docker Docker or Hasura Cloud Supabase Cloud or a Docker Compose stack
License MIT MIT Apache 2.0 (v2 engine) Apache 2.0 (most components)
Self-hosted price Free, every feature included Free Free (open-source engine); some features are enterprise-only Free (self-host with Docker Compose)

Based on public documentation as of October 2026. PostgREST, Hasura and Supabase are trademarks of their respective owners. Spot something out of date? Open an issue.

Turn on your data in 60 seconds

Free, MIT-licensed, no account needed.

npx @faucetdb/faucet serve

or brew install faucetdb/tap/faucet

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