What Type of Database Does Supabase Use?

Published On - February 18, 2026

ivan Blogging

Supabase is often called the “open source Firebase alternative.” That sounds cool. But it also raises a big question. What type of database does Supabase actually use? Is it something new and experimental? Or is it built on something tried and tested? Let’s break it down in a fun and simple way.

TLDR: Supabase uses PostgreSQL as its database. PostgreSQL is a powerful, open source, relational database that has been around for decades. Supabase adds real time features, authentication, and APIs on top of it. So when you use Supabase, you are really using PostgreSQL with superpowers.

So, What Type of Database Is It?

Supabase uses a relational database. More specifically, it uses PostgreSQL, often just called Postgres.

A relational database stores data in tables. Think of it like spreadsheets. Each table has:

  • Rows (individual records)
  • Columns (fields or attributes)
  • Relationships between tables

For example, you might have:

  • A users table
  • A posts table
  • A comments table

And each of these tables can be linked together using keys. That’s the “relational” part.

What Is PostgreSQL?

PostgreSQL is an advanced open source relational database. It has been around since 1996. That’s ancient in tech years. But that’s a good thing.

It means:

  • It’s stable
  • It’s battle tested
  • Big companies trust it
  • It has a huge community

PostgreSQL is known for being:

  • Reliable
  • Secure
  • Highly extensible
  • Standards compliant

In simple words, it’s powerful and flexible. You can build small apps with it. You can also run massive enterprise systems on it.

So Supabase Is Just PostgreSQL?

Yes. And no.

At its core, Supabase is PostgreSQL. When you create a Supabase project, you are spinning up a real Postgres database.

But Supabase adds a lot on top:

  • Auto generated REST APIs
  • Real time subscriptions
  • Authentication
  • Storage
  • Edge functions

So you get the full power of Postgres. Plus developer friendly tools.

Why Did Supabase Choose PostgreSQL?

Good question.

There are many databases out there. For example:

  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • SQLite
  • Firebase Firestore

Supabase chose PostgreSQL for a few big reasons.

1. It’s Open Source

Supabase is built around the idea of open source. PostgreSQL is fully open source. No vendor lock in. No secret core.

You can export your database anytime. You can run it yourself. Full freedom.

2. It’s Extremely Powerful

Postgres supports:

  • Complex queries
  • Joins
  • Indexes
  • Views
  • Triggers
  • Functions
  • JSON fields

Wait. JSON?

Yes. PostgreSQL supports JSON and JSONB columns. That means you can store flexible, document style data inside a relational database.

So you get the best of both worlds:

  • Structured relational data
  • Flexible document style fields

3. Extensions Make It Even Better

One of Postgres’s secret weapons is extensions.

Extensions add new features to the database. For example:

  • PostGIS for geographic data
  • pgvector for AI embeddings
  • Full text search tools

Supabase supports many of these extensions out of the box.

Is Supabase a SQL or NoSQL Database?

This confuses many people.

Supabase is a SQL database because PostgreSQL uses SQL (Structured Query Language).

You write queries like:

  • SELECT
  • INSERT
  • UPDATE
  • DELETE

That’s classic relational database language.

But because Postgres supports JSON, some people feel it also behaves a little like NoSQL.

The truth is simple:

Supabase is fundamentally a relational SQL database.

How Real Time Works with PostgreSQL

Here’s where it gets interesting.

Normal PostgreSQL is not automatically real time. But Supabase makes it real time.

How?

It uses PostgreSQL’s built in feature called logical replication.

This allows Supabase to:

  • Listen for changes in tables
  • Detect inserts, updates, deletes
  • Send those changes to clients in real time

So if one user adds a comment, another user sees it instantly. No page refresh needed.

All powered by PostgreSQL under the hood.

How Supabase Generates APIs

Another cool thing.

Supabase automatically generates a REST API and optional GraphQL API from your PostgreSQL schema.

When you create a table, Supabase:

  • Reads the schema
  • Creates endpoints
  • Applies row level security

This is done using a tool called PostgREST.

So instead of manually building an API layer, Supabase lets PostgreSQL structure drive everything.

What About Scalability?

PostgreSQL scales very well.

You can scale vertically by:

  • Adding more CPU
  • Adding more RAM
  • Using faster disks

You can scale horizontally by:

  • Using read replicas
  • Partitioning tables
  • Sharding (advanced setups)

Supabase manages much of this for you in their hosted platform.

But because it’s standard Postgres, you are not stuck. You can move to your own infrastructure if needed.

Is Supabase Good for Large Applications?

Yes. Very much.

Many large companies use PostgreSQL directly. Since Supabase is PostgreSQL, it inherits that strength.

It supports:

  • Millions of rows
  • Complex analytics queries
  • High concurrency
  • Strong consistency

PostgreSQL uses ACID transactions. That means your data stays safe and consistent even during crashes or heavy load.

What Makes It Different from Firebase?

Firebase uses NoSQL databases like Firestore.

Firestore stores data as documents inside collections.

Supabase uses relational tables with SQL.

That leads to key differences:

  • SQL vs document querying
  • Strong joins vs nested data structures
  • Structured schemas vs flexible documents

With Supabase, you design relationships explicitly. That gives you strong data integrity.

With Firebase, you often duplicate data for performance.

It’s not about better or worse. It’s about tradeoffs.

Can You Self Host It?

Yes.

This is another big point.

Because Supabase is built on PostgreSQL and open source tools, you can:

  • Run it locally with Docker
  • Deploy it on your own server
  • Use any cloud provider

Your data is stored in a standard PostgreSQL format. No proprietary database engine.

What About Security?

Supabase uses PostgreSQL’s built in security features.

One of the most important features is Row Level Security (RLS).

RLS allows you to:

  • Set policies per user
  • Control who can read rows
  • Control who can modify rows

For example:

  • A user can only see their own profile
  • A user can only edit their own posts

This logic runs inside PostgreSQL itself. Not just in your app code.

That is powerful. And safer.

Does Supabase Support Advanced Data Types?

Yes.

Because it uses PostgreSQL, it supports:

  • Arrays
  • UUIDs
  • JSON and JSONB
  • Full text search
  • Geographic data (with PostGIS)
  • Vector embeddings (with pgvector)

This makes it suitable for:

  • SaaS apps
  • Marketplaces
  • Social apps
  • Analytics dashboards
  • AI powered applications

So What Type of Database Does Supabase Use?

Let’s make it crystal clear.

  • It is a relational database.
  • It uses PostgreSQL.
  • It supports SQL.
  • It includes modern extras like JSON and real time updates.

Supabase is not reinventing the database.

It is building on one of the best databases ever made.

Final Thoughts

Supabase uses PostgreSQL. That’s the simple answer.

But the deeper answer is more exciting.

You are not just getting a database. You are getting:

  • A powerful relational engine
  • Automatic APIs
  • Real time updates
  • Built in authentication
  • Strong security controls

All powered by a proven, open source database system.

If you like SQL, structure, and long term flexibility, Supabase is a very smart choice.

And now you know exactly what type of database is running behind the scenes.