# Prisma Postgres vs Supabase: what's the difference and which should I pick? (/compare/supabase)

> Prisma Postgres vs Supabase: what's the difference and which should I pick? For the complete Prisma website index, see [llms.txt](https://www.prisma.io/llms.txt). A Markdown version of any listed page is available at its `.md` URL — this one is `/compare/supabase.md`.

Checked November 2026.
dateModified: 2026-11-12

Both are managed PostgreSQL. Pick Prisma Postgres for optional Prisma ORM and Prisma Compute in one project. Pick Supabase for Auth, Storage, Realtime, and Edge Functions. Checked November 2026.

Pick [Prisma Postgres](/docs/postgres) when you want managed PostgreSQL with [Prisma ORM](/docs/orm) optional, and [Prisma Compute](/docs/compute) hosting the TypeScript app as HTTP services in the same Prisma project. Pick [Supabase](https://supabase.com/pricing) when you want Postgres plus Auth, Storage, Realtime, auto-generated APIs, and Edge Functions, with the UI on a separate host.

[Get started with Prisma Postgres](https://console.prisma.io) [Create an instant database](https://create-db.prisma.io/web)

By [Martin Janse van Rensburg](/blog/author/martin-janse-van-rensburg) · Updated November 2026 · 10 min read[X](https://x.com/vanrensbird)[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martjvr/)[GitHub](https://github.com/vanrensbird)

Prisma makes Prisma Postgres\. Supabase figures come from the pages listed under [Sources](/compare/supabase#sources), checked November 2026\.

## When should I choose Supabase or Prisma Postgres?

| Supabase | Prisma Postgres |
| --- | --- |
| You want Auth, Storage, Realtime, auto-generated APIs, and Edge Functions next to Postgres, from the same vendor. | You want [Prisma ORM](/docs/orm) available on the same platform as the database. Prisma ORM is optional; any Postgres client works. |
| You want the UI on a host such as Vercel, with Supabase running the backend next to the database. | You want [Prisma Compute](/docs/compute) to host the TypeScript app as HTTP services next to [Prisma Postgres](/docs/postgres). |
| You want isolated Supabase preview environments for the backend, with frontend previews on an external host. | You want a [preview branch](/docs/compute/branching) that can own its app services and database. |
| You want a Pro plan from $25 a month plus hourly compute, and you accept that the Spend Cap does not cover database compute. | You prefer operation-based database pricing with spend limits on paid plans, and HIPAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 on Business at $129 a month. |

## How do Supabase and Prisma Postgres compare?

Supabase and Prisma Postgres are both managed PostgreSQL. Supabase adds Auth, Storage, Realtime, APIs, and Edge Functions around the database. Prisma Postgres sits next to an optional ORM and Prisma Compute. Columns are Supabase, then Prisma Postgres.

| Feature | Supabase | Prisma Postgres |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Database | Managed PostgreSQL. A project can be used as a standalone Postgres database with any Postgres client. Auth, Storage, Realtime, and Edge Functions are included and optional. | [Prisma Postgres](/docs/postgres) is managed PostgreSQL that autoscales, with no instance to size or upgrade. Any Postgres client works with it, so Prisma ORM is optional. |
| ORM on the same platform | Auto-generated APIs and client libraries. Teams pick an external ORM or SQL client, such as Prisma ORM pointed at Supabase. | [Prisma ORM](/docs/orm) is a first-party type-safe ORM on the same platform. It is optional. |
| App hosting | Edge Functions suit short-lived work such as webhooks and lightweight APIs, and Supabase says its [custom domains](https://supabase.com/docs/guides/platform/custom-domains) are not intended for hosting a frontend through them. Its Compute private alpha, which runs backend services, is us-west-2 only and not for production, so the frontend and a production app server need another host. | [Prisma Compute](/docs/compute) hosts the TypeScript app as HTTP services. It runs next to Prisma Postgres in the same project, on one bill. Compute has no built-in cron scheduler today; native cron is planned for early 2027. WebSocket servers are not supported today; support is planned for early 2027. |
| Branches and previews | Supabase branches are separate environments with their own instance and API credentials. New branches are data-less by default. Frontend preview hosting integrates with an external host. Branching compute is $0.01344 per branch per hour on Pro and Team. | A Prisma [preview branch](/docs/compute/branching) can own its Compute services and databases. Production data is not copied into that database. |
| Auth, Storage, and Realtime | Auth, file Storage, Realtime, auto-generated APIs, and Edge Functions ship with every project. | Not included. Use integrations with other tools. |
| Database pricing model | Organization plan plus compute billed separately per project. Pro is from $25 a month. Pro and Team include $10 a month in compute credits, enough for one Micro instance. Additional compute is billed hourly. | Operations plus storage, with spend limits on paid plans. Prisma Postgres [Free includes 200,000 operations a month and 2 GB of storage](/postgres/free-postgresql-hosting). |
| HIPAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 | SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are included on Team at $599 a month. HIPAA is a paid add-on on Team and Enterprise. Not included on Free or Pro. | [HIPAA, SOC 2 Type II, and ISO 27001 are on the Business plan at $129 a month, with a signed BAA for HIPAA](/postgres/hipaa). Not available on Free, Starter, or Pro. GDPR is on every plan. |

## Where does each one fit?

### Supabase

Supabase is a backend platform around Postgres. Its [pricing page](https://supabase.com/pricing) lists Auth, Storage, Realtime, and Edge Functions with every project. The UI stays on a separate host.

- Auth, Storage, Realtime, auto-generated APIs, and Edge Functions should sit next to Postgres from one vendor.
- The UI should stay on a frontend host, with Supabase isolating the backend on a preview branch.
- You want a Pro plan from $25 a month and are ready to pay compute by the hour beyond the included Micro credits.
- Point-in-time recovery is available as a $100 per month add-on per 7 days of retention.

### Prisma Postgres

Prisma Postgres fits a team that wants PostgreSQL next to the TypeScript app. [Prisma ORM](/docs/orm) is optional. [Prisma Compute](/docs/compute) is separate app hosting in the same Prisma project.

- The database should be PostgreSQL, with SQL and the Postgres ecosystem.
- Prisma ORM should be available, and optional, on that database.
- The TypeScript app should deploy as HTTP services on Prisma Compute, in the same Prisma project as the database.
- Database usage should be billed by operations and storage, with a spend limit on paid plans. HIPAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 start on Business at $129 a month.

## What does Prisma Postgres do that Supabase doesn't?

### A first-party ORM, when you want one

Prisma ORM is a type-safe data layer on the same platform as Prisma Postgres. It is optional. You can skip it and use SQL or another Postgres client.

### Full TypeScript app hosting

Prisma Compute hosts the TypeScript app as HTTP services next to Prisma Postgres. The current release focuses on HTTP. WebSocket servers are not supported today; support is planned for early 2027. Compute has no built-in cron scheduler today; native cron is planned for early 2027.

### App and database on a preview branch

A Prisma preview branch can own its application services, deployments, and Prisma Postgres databases. Production data is not copied into that database. See [Compute branching](/docs/compute/branching).

### HIPAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 on Business

Prisma Postgres HIPAA, SOC 2 Type II, and ISO 27001 are on Business at $129 a month. HIPAA needs a signed BAA and is not on Free, Starter, or Pro. Supabase lists SOC 2 and ISO 27001 on Team at $599 a month, with HIPAA as a paid add-on. See [HIPAA on the Business plan](/postgres/hipaa).

## How much do Supabase and Prisma Postgres cost?

| Cost | Supabase | Prisma Postgres |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free plan | $0 a month. 500 MB database size per project, 2 active projects. Free projects pause after 1 week of inactivity. | Prisma Postgres Free is $0. No credit card required. 200,000 operations a month, 2 GB of storage, and 50 databases. |
| Paid plans | Pro from $25 a month. Team from $599 a month. Enterprise is custom. Pro and Team include $10 a month in compute credits. | Starter is a $10 monthly base with Compute usage metered on top; Pro ($49) and Business ($129) work the same way. Database operations and storage past each plan's included amount are billed too. |
| Database compute and storage | Each project runs its own compute instance, billed hourly. Micro is $10 a month. Pro includes 8 GB disk per project, then $0.125 per GB. Branching compute is $0.01344 per branch per hour. | Starter includes 10 GB, then $2.00 per GB. Pro includes 50 GB, then $1.50 per GB. Business includes 100 GB, then $1.00 per GB. Database usage is operations, not hourly compute. |
| Spend controls | Spend Cap is on by default on Pro. It does not cover Compute, Branching Compute, Read Replica Compute, or Point-in-Time Recovery. | Spend limits on Starter, Pro, and Business. |

Prisma Postgres Free includes 200,000 operations, 2 GB of storage and 50 databases with no credit card, while Supabase Free has a 500 MB database size quota, summed across the organization's projects (each Free project has a fixed 2 GB disk) and pauses after a week of inactivity (see [Prisma pricing](/pricing), [Supabase pricing](https://supabase.com/pricing) and [Supabase database size](https://supabase.com/docs/guides/platform/database-size)\).

## When is Prisma Postgres the wrong choice?

- You want Auth, Storage, Realtime, auto-generated APIs, or Edge Functions as first-party services next to Postgres. Prisma Postgres does not include those. See [Supabase pricing](https://supabase.com/pricing).
- You want the frontend on a host such as Vercel, with Supabase isolating Auth, Storage, Edge Functions, and the database on a preview branch. A Prisma preview branch can own Compute services and databases; it does not include those Supabase backend products. See [Supabase branching](https://supabase.com/docs/guides/deployment/branching).
- You need point-in-time recovery today. Prisma Postgres has no point-in-time recovery yet (it is coming in November 2026). Paid plans include daily backups. Supabase sells PITR as a $100 per month add-on per 7 days of retention on [Supabase pricing](https://supabase.com/pricing).
- You want database compute billed by the hour with a $25 Pro base, and you are fine that the Spend Cap excludes compute. Prisma Postgres bills operations and storage instead.

## How do I switch from Supabase to Prisma Postgres?

1. Create an empty Prisma Postgres database. Prisma ORM is optional. The [migrate from Supabase](/docs/guides/switch-to-prisma-postgres/from-supabase) guide uses `pg_dump` and `pg_restore` over the direct connection.
2. Dump the PostgreSQL application data you own, then restore into Prisma Postgres. The dump copies schemas and data. It does not migrate Auth users, Storage objects, Realtime configuration, or Edge Functions.
3. Point the app at the Prisma Postgres connection string. Host the HTTP app on Prisma Compute, or keep the frontend host you already use. Replace any Auth, Storage, or Realtime calls before you switch production traffic.

## How do I switch from Prisma Postgres to Supabase?

1. Create a Supabase project and dump Prisma Postgres with `pg_dump` over the direct connection, then restore into Supabase. Both sides are PostgreSQL.
2. Point the app at the Supabase connection string. Keep using SQL or an ORM; Supabase has no first-party ORM.
3. Publish the UI on a separate host. Add Auth, Storage, Realtime, or Edge Functions if you need those products. Prisma Postgres stays in place until you stop using it.

## What do teams say about Prisma Postgres?

Two teams on what Prisma ORM and Prisma Postgres do for them.

> “Prisma makes database management incredibly easy. Prisma's built-in type safety helps us avoid mistakes that happen with manual setups.”

Ron Cohen, Co-founder & CTO, Bucket

> “We chose Prisma because it provides us with type safety directly from the database. It has helped us tremendously to catch possible errors early on.”

Omar López, Sr. Software Engineer, Cal.com

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need Prisma ORM to use Prisma Postgres?

No. Prisma Postgres is PostgreSQL. Any Postgres client works with it, so Prisma ORM is optional. Source: [Prisma Postgres](/docs/postgres), October 2026.

### Does Supabase host the frontend?

Supabase Edge Functions suit short-lived work such as webhooks and lightweight APIs. Supabase does not host frontends, and its Compute private alpha, which runs backend services, is us-west-2 only and not for production, so the frontend and a production app server need another host. Source: [Supabase custom domains](https://supabase.com/docs/guides/platform/custom-domains) and [Supabase Compute](https://supabase.com/compute), November 2026.

### Does Prisma Postgres include Auth, Storage, or Realtime?

No. Prisma Postgres is managed PostgreSQL. Auth, Storage, and Realtime are not included; use integrations with other tools. Supabase ships those products with every project. Source: [Prisma Postgres](/docs/postgres) and [Supabase pricing](https://supabase.com/pricing), October 2026.

### How do Supabase and Prisma Postgres bill for the database?

Supabase charges an organization plan (Pro from $25 a month, Team from $599) plus compute billed separately per project. Pro and Team include $10 a month in compute credits. Prisma Postgres bills operations and storage, with spend limits on paid plans. Prisma Postgres Free includes 200,000 operations and 2 GB of storage, with no credit card. Source: [Supabase pricing](https://supabase.com/pricing) and [Prisma pricing](/pricing), October 2026.

### Which plan includes HIPAA?

Prisma Postgres HIPAA is on the Business plan at $129 a month, with a signed BAA. It is not on Free, Starter, or Pro. Supabase lists HIPAA as a paid add-on on Team ($599 a month) and Enterprise. Source: [HIPAA on the Business plan](/postgres/hipaa) and [Supabase pricing](https://supabase.com/pricing), October 2026.

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## Sources

Every competitor figure on this page comes from these pages, checked November 2026\.

### Supabase

- [Supabase pricing](https://supabase.com/pricing)
- [Database size](https://supabase.com/docs/guides/platform/database-size)
- [Spend Cap](https://supabase.com/docs/guides/platform/cost-control#spend-cap)
- [Branching](https://supabase.com/docs/guides/deployment/branching)
- [Supabase Compute](https://supabase.com/compute)
- [Custom domains](https://supabase.com/docs/guides/platform/custom-domains)
- [Apache License 2.0](https://github.com/supabase/supabase/blob/master/LICENSE)

### Prisma Postgres, Prisma ORM, and Prisma Compute

- [Prisma Postgres](/docs/postgres)
- [Prisma ORM docs](/docs/orm)
- [Prisma Compute](/docs/compute)
- [Compute limitations](/docs/compute/limitations)
- [Compute branching](/docs/compute/branching)
- [HIPAA on the Business plan](/postgres/hipaa)
- [Migrate from Supabase](/docs/guides/switch-to-prisma-postgres/from-supabase)
- [existing-database guide](/docs/prisma-orm/add-to-existing-project/postgresql)
- [Apache License 2.0](https://github.com/prisma/prisma/blob/main/LICENSE)
- [Prisma Postgres pricing](/pricing)