Kolaybase vs. Nhost: REST or GraphQL on PostgreSQL?
Kolaybase and Nhost are both PostgreSQL-based, open backends with authentication and storage. The headline difference is the API style: Nhost is GraphQL-first (powered by Hasura), while Kolaybase exposes a PostgREST-style REST API.
How Kolaybase is different
If your team prefers GraphQL and Hasura's permission model, Nhost is a strong choice. If you prefer REST — simple HTTP, easy caching, no GraphQL client required — Kolaybase's auto-generated REST API maps cleanly onto your schema and row-level security.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Kolaybase | Nhost |
|---|---|---|
| API style | REST (PostgREST-style) | GraphQL (Hasura) |
| Database | PostgreSQL, per-project DB | PostgreSQL |
| Authentication | Keycloak realm per project | Built-in auth |
| Storage | S3-compatible | S3-compatible |
| Permissions | PostgreSQL row-level security | Hasura permission rules |
| Self-hosting | Docker Compose | Open source / cloud |
Frequently asked questions
- Is Kolaybase an Nhost alternative?
- Yes. Both are open, PostgreSQL-based backends with auth and storage. The main choice is REST (Kolaybase) versus GraphQL via Hasura (Nhost).
- Does Kolaybase support GraphQL?
- Kolaybase focuses on a REST API today. If GraphQL is a hard requirement, Nhost's Hasura-based approach may suit you better; if you prefer REST, Kolaybase is a natural fit.
More comparisons
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