Tech Stack Showdown: Firebase vs Supabase for MVP Development in 2025

Written by Abhishek Singh • May 14, 2025 • 11 min read

Building an MVP is like cooking the first version of your secret recipe—you want it fast, lean, and delicious enough for people to say, “Damn, I want more of this.”

When I started working with early-stage founders and solo creators, one question kept popping up:
Firebase or Supabase — which one should I build my MVP with?

If you’re stuck in that decision limbo too, this post is for you. I’ve used both extensively at NimbleCodeLabs, and here’s my breakdown based on real projects, frustrations, and wins.

⚔️ Firebase vs Supabase — At a Glance

Feature	Firebase	Supabase
Backend Language	NoSQL (Firestore / RTDB)	PostgreSQL (Relational)
Auth	Google-backed, battle-tested	Simple JWT-based, email magic links
Real-time DB	Built-in, extremely fast	Supported via Postgres subscriptions
Storage	Easy with GCP integration	Integrated with Postgres
APIs	SDK-based (JS, Flutter, etc.)	Auto-generated REST & GraphQL
Pricing	Generous free tier	Predictable pricing, usage-based
Vendor Lock-in	High	Low (you can self-host)

⚙️ When to Choose Firebase

Firebase shines when:

You’re building a mobile-first app with Flutter.
You need blazing fast real-time features (chat, feeds, presence).
You want plug-and-play integrations like Firebase Auth, Storage, and FCM.
You’re okay with learning NoSQL querying (yes, it’s different from SQL).

I used Firebase for Monkoodog, a pet care platform with multiple apps. The real-time sync and Firebase Cloud Functions helped us launch crazy fast—even our business app had analytics + push notifications without managing a server.

🔥 But it can get expensive at scale and debugging deeply nested Firestore queries isn’t always fun.

🧩 When Supabase Makes More Sense

Supabase is my go-to when:

The MVP idea is data-heavy (think dashboards, CRMs, admin panels).
Founders already love SQL and relational thinking.
You want self-hosting or lower vendor lock-in down the road.
You’re building something like a Notion clone or internal tools.

I used Supabase for internal dashboards at WellM and also for a few SaaS clients. The joy of writing native SQL, setting RLS policies, and getting auto-generated APIs is real. Supabase just feels more “developer-first” in the backend space.

⚠️ But you’ll sometimes run into “preview” features, and their ecosystem is still growing compared to Firebase.

🧠 My Rule of Thumb

If I had to oversimplify it, I’d say:

💡 Use Firebase when you’re moving fast with a mobile-first B2C product.
Use Supabase when your MVP is more structured, admin-heavy, or requires SQL logic.

And honestly? Both can scale if your product gets traction. Don’t overthink it.

Final Thoughts

At NimbleCodeLabs, I always tell founders — your tech stack isn’t your product. Your value prop, execution speed, and user feedback loop matter more.

But choosing a backend that works with your flow rather than against it? That’s how you ship faster, sleep better, and iterate smarter.

If you’re building an MVP and want to talk strategy, hit me up.
We’ve been the first team behind several fast-growing startups — and we know how to move.