PocketBase

Open source backend in 1 file

GrowingOpen SourceLow lock-in
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Pricing

Free tier

Flat rate

Adoption

→Stable

License

Open Source

Data freshness

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Overview

What is PocketBase?

PocketBase is an open-source, single-file backend with an embedded SQLite database, authentication, file storage, and a real-time subscriptions API. It ships as a single executable — the entire backend runs from one binary with zero external dependencies.

Key differentiator

“Open source backend in 1 file”

Capability profile

Strength Radar

SQLite backendAuth systemFile storageRealtime subscri…Admin UIGo/JS SDK

Honest assessment

Strengths & Weaknesses

↑ Strengths

SQLite backend

Auth system

File storage

Realtime subscriptions

Admin UI

Go/JS SDK

Single binary

Fit analysis

Who is it for?

✓ Best for

Solo developers and small teams building side projects or internal tools who want a complete backend in a single binary

✕ Not a fit for

Large-scale applications with millions of users or multi-node database requirements

Cost structure

Pricing

Free Tier

Available

Starts at

Free / Open Source

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise

None

Performance benchmarks

How Fast Is It?

Ecosystem

Relationships

Next step

Get Started with PocketBase

Step-by-step setup guide with code examples and common gotchas.

View Setup Guide →