Who Nhost is for#
Developers replacing Firebase with Postgres
Nhost fits applications that need auth, storage, serverless functions, and GraphQL without leaving SQL behind.
Skip if:
Skip if Firebase already meets your data model and hosting requirements.
Teams building GraphQL-first apps
Use Nhost when instant GraphQL over PostgreSQL is a core requirement for web or mobile product development.
Skip if:
Skip if your team prefers hand-written REST APIs and minimal platform dependencies.
The problem it solves#
Firebase is fast for prototypes, but teams can outgrow its document model, proprietary platform coupling, and limited portability. Applications that need relational data, GraphQL APIs, and self-hosting often rebuild backend primitives that a BaaS provided at the start.
How it solves it#
PostgreSQL-backed backend
Uses PostgreSQL as the database layer instead of a proprietary document database model.
Instant GraphQL with Hasura
Provides an instant GraphQL API through Hasura, which gives applications typed data access quickly.
Auth, storage, functions, and CLI
Combines authentication, file storage, serverless functions, and a local development CLI in one backend platform.
Strengths and trade-offs#
Strengths
- Firebase speed with SQL ownershipNhost keeps the BaaS developer experience while anchoring data in PostgreSQL.
- Self-hostable stackThe README states the whole Nhost stack can be self-hosted and points to a Docker Compose example.
Trade-offs
- -Stack complexity behind the convenienceNhost combines PostgreSQL, Hasura, auth, storage, functions, and CLI tooling. Self-hosting requires understanding those moving parts.
Nhost vs alternatives#
What it's built on#
- Languages
- GoJavaScriptTypeScript
- Frameworks
- FlutterNext.jsReactVue
- Databases
- PostgreSQL
FAQ#
Is Nhost an open source Firebase alternative?
Yes. The README describes Nhost as an open source Firebase alternative with GraphQL and SQL.
Can I self-host Nhost?
Yes. The README says the full Nhost stack can be self-hosted and links to a Docker Compose example.
What database does Nhost use?
Nhost uses PostgreSQL and exposes instant GraphQL through Hasura.
Similar open-source tools#
Modelence
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