Comparison Guide

Faucet vs Supabase

Different tools for different problems. Supabase builds your backend from scratch. Faucet connects to databases you already have.

TL;DR

Supabase is a full backend platform. It creates and manages PostgreSQL databases, handles authentication, real-time subscriptions, file storage, and edge functions.

Faucet is a lightweight API layer for existing databases. It connects to databases you already have and generates REST APIs with zero code.

Use Supabase if you need a complete BaaS and are starting from scratch with PostgreSQL.
Use Faucet if you already have databases and just need an API layer — fast, lightweight, no vendor lock-in.

What They Are

Supabase and Faucet occupy different parts of the stack. Understanding what each tool does — and doesn't do — is key to choosing the right one.

Open-source Firebase alternative

  • Full backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform
  • Creates and manages PostgreSQL databases
  • Built-in auth (email, social, magic links, SSO)
  • Real-time subscriptions via websockets
  • File storage with CDN
  • Edge functions (Deno runtime)
  • PostgREST under the hood for API layer
  • $5B valuation, 98K+ GitHub stars

Supabase is a platform for building applications from scratch. It gives you a complete backend with one click.

Database-to-API in seconds

  • Lightweight API layer for existing databases
  • Connects to databases you already have
  • 7 database types (Postgres, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, Snowflake, MariaDB)
  • Role-based access control and API keys
  • Native MCP server for AI agents
  • Single 47MB binary, zero dependencies
  • MIT licensed, free forever
  • Self-host in under 30 seconds

Faucet is a tool for exposing existing data. Point it at a database and get a production-ready REST API immediately.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

A detailed look at how the two tools differ across every dimension that matters.

Feature Supabase Faucet
Scope Full BaaS platform API layer for existing databases
Approach Creates new PostgreSQL instances Connects to existing databases
Databases PostgreSQL only 7 types (Postgres, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, Snowflake, MariaDB)
Authentication Full auth system (email, social, SSO, magic links) RBAC + API keys
Real-time Built-in websockets Not included
File Storage S3-compatible with CDN Not included
Edge Functions Deno runtime Not included
MCP Server Not included Native, built-in
OpenAPI Docs Via PostgREST OpenAPI 3.1 auto-generated
Deployment Primarily cloud (self-host possible but complex) Single binary, runs anywhere
Self-hosting Docker Compose with 15+ services One binary, one command
Binary Size N/A (Docker stack: multi-GB) 47MB single binary
Pricing (cloud) Free tier, then $25-$599/mo Free forever (MIT). Cloud from $5/mo
Vendor Lock-in Moderate (PostgreSQL portable, platform features not) None — connects to your databases, MIT licensed
AI Agent Support Via third-party integrations Native MCP protocol
Admin UI Full dashboard Embedded web UI
Complete Platform

When to Use Supabase

Supabase is the right choice when you need a full backend platform and don't already have a database.

Starting a new project from scratch

Supabase gives you a PostgreSQL database, auth, storage, and APIs in one click. Perfect for greenfield development.

Need full user authentication

Email/password, social logins, magic links, SSO — Supabase Auth handles the entire identity layer out of the box.

Real-time features are essential

Building a chat app, live dashboard, or collaborative tool? Supabase's real-time subscriptions are built in.

PostgreSQL is sufficient for your needs

If all your data lives in PostgreSQL and you don't need to connect to MySQL, Oracle, or SQL Server, Supabase covers your bases.

Want a managed, hands-off experience

Supabase handles infrastructure, backups, scaling, and updates. Beautiful dashboard, excellent developer experience.

Lightweight & Flexible

When to Use Faucet

Faucet is the right choice when you already have databases and need a fast, portable API layer with zero lock-in.

You already have databases

Production Postgres, legacy Oracle, a MySQL data warehouse — Faucet connects to them all and generates APIs instantly. No data migration needed.

Multi-database environments

Faucet connects to 7 database types simultaneously. One Faucet instance can serve APIs from Postgres, MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server at the same time.

AI agent integration is a priority

Faucet's native MCP server lets Claude, GPT, and other AI agents query your databases safely through the Model Context Protocol.

No vendor lock-in

MIT licensed, single binary, connects to standard databases with standard SQL. Nothing proprietary. Walk away anytime.

Simple, fast self-hosting

Download a 47MB binary. Run it. That's it. No Docker, no container orchestration, no 15-service stack. Faucet runs as a single process.

Using Faucet with Supabase

Faucet doesn't replace Supabase. It extends what Supabase can do.

1

Connect Faucet to Supabase's PostgreSQL

Supabase exposes a standard PostgreSQL connection string. Point Faucet at it and get native MCP support for AI agents — something Supabase doesn't offer natively. Your Claude or GPT agent can query your Supabase data safely through Faucet's MCP protocol.

2

Unify multiple data sources

Your app uses Supabase for its main database, but you also have an Oracle data warehouse and a legacy SQL Server. Faucet connects to all three simultaneously, giving you a single API layer across every data source — not just Postgres.

3

Add Faucet as a read-only API layer

Keep Supabase as your primary backend for writes, auth, and real-time. Use Faucet as a lightweight, read-only API layer for analytics, reporting, or exposing data to partners — with fine-grained RBAC and OpenAPI docs generated automatically.

Already Have Databases?

Faucet connects to your existing PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, Snowflake, and MariaDB databases and generates secure REST APIs with native MCP support — in under 30 seconds.

Free forever. MIT licensed. Single binary. No vendor lock-in.

Get Faucet Free Read the Docs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Faucet a Supabase replacement?

No. They solve different problems. Supabase is a full backend-as-a-service that creates and manages PostgreSQL databases, auth, storage, and more. Faucet is a lightweight API layer that connects to existing databases. They are complementary — you can use Faucet to connect to Supabase's PostgreSQL instance.

Can Faucet connect to a Supabase database?

Yes. Faucet can connect to any PostgreSQL database, including Supabase's managed Postgres. This lets you add MCP support for AI agents, connect Supabase alongside other databases, or create a unified API layer across multiple data sources.

Does Faucet have authentication like Supabase?

Faucet includes role-based access control (RBAC) and API key authentication, but it does not provide a full user authentication system with social logins, magic links, or JWT management like Supabase Auth. Faucet focuses on database-to-API functionality, not end-user identity management.

How hard is it to self-host Faucet vs Supabase?

Faucet is a single 47MB binary — download and run, no dependencies required. Self-hosting Supabase requires Docker Compose with 15+ services (PostgreSQL, GoTrue, PostgREST, Realtime, Storage API, Kong, and more). Faucet's operational complexity is dramatically lower.

Which databases does each tool support?

Supabase is PostgreSQL-only — it creates and manages Postgres instances. Faucet connects to 7 database types: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, and Snowflake. If you need to serve APIs from non-Postgres databases, Faucet is the right choice.

Can I use Faucet and Supabase together?

Absolutely. A common pattern is using Supabase for your primary application backend (auth, real-time, storage) while using Faucet to connect additional databases that Supabase cannot reach — such as an Oracle data warehouse or a legacy SQL Server instance — into a unified API layer with native MCP support for AI agents.