Nhost
Launch in minutes. Scale without limits.
About Nhost
Nhost is an open-source backend-as-a-service platform that provides a fully managed backend built on PostgreSQL, Hasura GraphQL, and serverless functions. Often described as the open-source Firebase alternative, it lets developers build and deploy web and mobile applications without managing infrastructure, offering built-in authentication, file storage, and real-time APIs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open-source with no vendor lock-in — built on PostgreSQL, Hasura, and S3
- Instant GraphQL API auto-generated from database schema eliminates manual API development
- Excellent developer experience with single CLI command for local development
- Active Discord community with responsive support and quick feedback incorporation
- Comprehensive auth system with multiple providers, magic links, and MFA
- Extensible via Nhost Run for custom Docker containers alongside managed stack
Cons
- Self-hosting outside localhost is impractical due to CORS issues and missing automated TLS
- Much smaller ecosystem compared to Firebase or Supabase
- Tightly coupled to GraphQL — developers preferring REST need workarounds
- Free tier pauses projects after 1 week of inactivity with 1 project limit
- Large pricing gap from \u002425/mo Pro to \u0024599/mo Team tier
Key Features
Managed PostgreSQL
Full-access Postgres database with automatic backups, point-in-time recovery, and root-level access
Instant GraphQL API
Auto-generated real-time GraphQL API via Hasura with subscriptions and fine-grained permissions
Built-in Authentication
Production-ready auth with email/password, magic links, social login, and MFA support
File Storage & CDN
S3-compatible storage with global CDN delivery and on-the-fly image transformations
Serverless Functions
Deploy server-side logic as API endpoints for event triggers and custom workflows
Nhost Run
Run custom Docker containers or third-party services alongside the managed backend
AI Toolkit
Built-in document indexing and embedding creation for AI-powered querying
Local Development CLI
Full local development environment with single CLI command and Git-based deployments
Real-time Subscriptions
GraphQL subscriptions for building collaborative, real-time applications
Pricing
- 1 GB database
- 1 GB storage
- 5 GB egress
- Unlimited users
- Community support
- 10 GB database
- 50 GB storage
- 50 GB egress
- Automated backups
- Point-in-time recovery
- Email support
- Everything in Pro
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
- Email support with SLA
- Dedicated Discord
- External database connections
- Everything in Team
- Custom SLAs
- Dedicated technical account manager
- Dedicated clusters
Best For
SaaS Application Backend
Rapidly build and launch SaaS products with managed database, auth, and API without a dedicated backend team
Real-Time Collaborative Apps
Build project management tools or chat platforms using GraphQL subscriptions for live data sync
Mobile App Backend
Scalable backend for iOS, Android, or Flutter apps with built-in auth, storage, and API access
MVP & Prototype Development
Go from idea to working prototype in days using the free tier with a clear upgrade path
AI-Powered Applications
Leverage the AI toolkit to index documents, create embeddings, and build intelligent search features
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Featured In
6 Best Backend-as-a-Service Platforms for Real-Time Subscriptions (2026)
Best for GraphQL-first teams — Nhost's Hasura-powered subscriptions deliver the most expressive real-time query model, with filtered and joined data updating live.
Best Open-Source Firebase Alternatives in 2026: Self-Hostable BaaS for Every Feature
Best for GraphQL-first teams who want Firebase's all-in-one feel with stronger type safety and Postgres reliability underneath.