Supabase pricing model: How it works and how to build your own

Did you know the Supabase pricing model is designed to scale effortlessly, accommodating projects from their earliest stages to enterprise-level applications?

In this article, you’ll learn:

• The inner workings of the Supabase pricing model
• What kinds of companies could benefit from a similar pricing structure
• The steps to building your own Supabase-inspired pricing model
• How Orb can simplify the process and empower your billing strategy

Let's begin by exploring what Supabase is and its core features. 

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What is Supabase?

Supabase is an open-source platform for building scalable backend services quickly and efficiently. It provides a suite of tools and features that replace the traditional need for a complex backend stack. 

At its core, Supabase is built around a powerful PostgreSQL database. It integrates essential backend capabilities like authentication, file storage, and real-time data updates. 

This approach means developers can focus on crafting the frontend experience of their applications without getting bogged down in the intricacies of server-side development.

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How is Supabase different from other alternatives?

What sets Supabase apart is its commitment to open-source principles. This transparency fosters a thriving community of contributors and users, ensuring the platform remains adaptable and secure.

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How does Supabase work?

Supabase is more than just a database. It provides a rich collection of integrated services that streamline backend development. 

Let's explore some of its key features:

• Authentication: Supabase simplifies user management with secure authentication tools. It supports various methods, including email/password, social logins, and phone-based multi-factor authentication.
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• Real-time database: Supabase enables real-time data synchronization between your database and connected clients. Developers can create dynamic applications where changes are instantly reflected across all users.
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• File storage: Supabase's storage service offers a secure and scalable solution for managing files and assets. It includes features like custom access controls and the ability to transform images on the fly.
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• Edge functions: Supabase allows you to run serverless functions at the edge of the network. This functionality provides a way to execute custom logic and integrate with external services.
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• Auto-scaling and high availability: Supabase automatically scales your infrastructure based on demand. The platform ensures optimal performance even under heavy loads. Plus, built-in high availability guarantees that your applications remain accessible.
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• Developer-friendly dashboard: Supabase offers an intuitive dashboard for managing your projects, monitoring usage, and accessing detailed logs.
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• Open-source and extensible: The open-source nature of Supabase encourages community contributions. It also provides flexibility for integrating custom solutions or extending the platform's capabilities.

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Supabase acts as a bridge between your frontend application and the backend services it relies on. It’s a good choice for SaaS companies who want to build feature-rich apps with less code and faster development cycles.

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What are Supabase's pricing models? 

Supabase's pricing structure, designed to scale with your project's growth, adapts to a spectrum of needs. It covers everything from hobbyists to enterprises. Let's explore what each tier entails in terms of features and cost:

The free tier

The free tier is an ideal springboard for those eager to explore Supabase's capabilities without any financial outlay. It's ideal for hobby projects, students, and those testing the waters. Here's what you get:

• Unlimited API requests
• 50,000 monthly active users
• 500 MB database space
• 5 GB bandwidth
• 1 GB file storage
• Community support

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The pro tier

When you're ready to take your project live, the pro tier steps in with the resources to support production-ready applications. Supabase pricing for the pro tier starts at $25 per month. 

It includes all features of the free tier, plus: 

• 100,000 monthly active users
• 8 GB database space
• 250 GB bandwidth
• 100 GB file storage
• Email support:
• Daily backups
• 7-day log retention
• $10 in compute credits

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Beyond the base Supabase cost, the Pro tier lets you add more compute add-ons and other paid features. Think advanced multi-factor authentication or point-in-time recovery. 

Supabase storage pricing is also a consideration in this tier, as you pay for additional storage beyond the included 100 GB.

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The team tier

For teams requiring advanced features and finer control, the team tier offers a solution. Supabase pricing for the team tiers begins at $599 per month. 

The tier includes all the features of the pro tier, plus:

• SOC2 compliance
• HIPAA compliance (available as a paid add-on)
• Read-only and billing member roles
• SSO for Supabase dashboard
• Priority email support and SLAs
• Daily backups, stored for 14 days
• 28-day log retention

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The enterprise tier

For large-scale applications and big companies that need custom solutions, the enterprise tier is the way to go. This tier delivers:

• Designated support manager
• Uptime SLAs
• On-site support
• 24x7x365 premium enterprise support
• Private Slack channel
• Custom security questionnaires

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Note: Those interested in the enterprise tier must reach out to Supabase directly for a quote.

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What types of companies is Supabase’s pricing structure best for?

The Supabase pricing model makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of businesses. Let's explore a few examples:

• Startups and small businesses: A free tier provides a runway for early-stage ventures to test ideas without upfront costs. As they grow, the pay-as-you-go nature of the Supabase pricing structure allows them to scale alongside their user base.
   
• SaaS companies: The Supabase pricing structure aligns well with SaaS subscription-based revenue models. The ability to scale resources up or down in response to demand helps manage costs effectively.
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• E-commerce platforms: Online stores experience fluctuating traffic and data storage needs. The Supabase pricing structure handles spikes in activity without disruptions. It also helps prevent overspending for unused capacity during slower periods.
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• Real-time applications: Companies like collaboration tools benefit from the Supabase pricing structure. Its built-in real-time cost tracking and pricing based on message volume and connections helps them manage spend. 

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How to build your own pricing model like Supabase

Crafting a model like the Supabase pricing model involves a careful review of your product's value and target audience. Here's a breakdown of the key steps:

• Define your core value metrics: Pinpoint the aspects of your service that directly contribute to its value for customers. In Supabase's case, these include database storage, bandwidth usage, and the number of active users.
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• Establish tiers: Design pricing tiers that cater to different customers and usage patterns. A common structure includes a free tier for tests, a mid-tier for scaling businesses, and an enterprise tier for large-scale needs.
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• Set base prices: Determine the base price for each tier. Consider factors like development costs, competitor pricing, and perceived value.
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• Implement usage-based pricing: Introduce variable pricing components that scale with customer usage. The Supabase pricing model charges for extra database storage, bandwidth, and active users beyond the limits of each tier.
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• Offer add-ons: Provide optional add-ons or premium features at additional cost. Supabase's add-ons include things like point-in-time recovery, advanced multi-factor authentication, and custom domains.
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• Consider compute costs: If your service uses compute resources, include those costs in your pricing model. The Supabase pricing model offers different compute sizes at varying hourly rates.
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• Be transparent with pricing: Clearly communicate your pricing structure and usage-based charges. Supabase excels at providing detailed explanations and examples on its pricing page.
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• Regularly review and adjust: Monitor customer usage patterns and market trends. Make sure your pricing remains competitive and aligned with your business goals.

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How Orb can support your pricing and help you build a billing engine

The Supabase pricing model is a testament to flexibility and scalability. What if you could take those principles and craft a pricing strategy uniquely your own? 

With Orb, you have the power to build and manage a customized pricing model, just as companies like Perplexity and Vercel have done.

Orb is a done-for-you billing platform that helps developers and finance teams handle hybrid and usage-based pricing with ease. It ingests vast amounts of product usage data, accelerates the rollout of new products, and delivers financial reports.

Here's how Orb helps you build and manage your own Supabase-like pricing model:

• Precision billing: Orb tracks every billable event to create accurate and transparent invoices. This is key for managing usage-based metrics like database storage, bandwidth, and active users.
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• Scalable plans: Orb's plan versioning allows you to create and manage many pricing tiers. We help you adapt your pricing model as your business scales — much like Supabase's tiered structure scales.
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• Data-driven insights: Orb transforms intricate usage data into actionable insights. This feature is invaluable for products with granular usage metrics like Supabase’s. We help you to understand customer behavior and optimize pricing strategies accordingly.
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• Simplified workflow: Integrations with data warehouses and accounting software simplify your operations. These direct integrations are essential for handling the ins and outs of a Supabase-like pricing model.
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• Customizable billing: Define your own usage metrics and pricing models using Orb's custom SQL editor. This flexibility allows you to mirror the adaptability Supabase offers its customers.
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Ready to try Orb yourself? We’re offering a free 30-day trial so you can give Orb a spin and experience our features firsthand.