PocketBase
An open-source, self-hostable backend-as-a-service in a single file, offering a real-time database, auth, and file storage.
Overview
PocketBase is a unique open-source backend solution that bundles a real-time database, authentication service, and file storage into a single, portable executable written in Go. This 'backend in one file' approach significantly simplifies deployment and management, making it an attractive option for developers looking to quickly build and launch applications without the overhead of managing multiple services.
The tool provides a robust set of features out-of-the-box, including a performant embedded database with a schema builder and a REST API, comprehensive user authentication supporting email/password and popular OAuth2 providers, and flexible file storage with S3 compatibility and on-the-fly thumbnail generation. Its extensibility through Go and JavaScript hooks allows developers to add custom business logic, transforming it from a simple BaaS into a powerful, tailored backend framework. With client SDKs for JavaScript and Dart, PocketBase integrates seamlessly with modern frontend stacks, enabling rapid development of web, mobile, and desktop applications.
Best For
Key Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely easy to deploy and self-host due to being a single executable file
- Built-in real-time capabilities for dynamic applications
- Comprehensive features (database, auth, storage) in one package reduces complexity
- Highly performant due to being written in Go
- Extendable with custom Go and JavaScript code for tailored backend logic
- Admin UI included out-of-the-box for easy data management
- Open-source, providing transparency and community support
Cons
- Relatively new project, so community and ecosystem might be smaller compared to established solutions
- Primarily designed for smaller to medium-sized applications; scalability for very large, high-traffic apps might require advanced Go knowledge
- Limited database options (only SQLite embedded), which might not suit all enterprise-level requirements
- Requires some technical knowledge for self-hosting and configuration
- Customization beyond hooks might require diving into Go development
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