Kolaybase vs. PocketBase: PostgreSQL Platform or Single-File SQLite?
PocketBase is a delightfully simple single-file backend on SQLite — auth, realtime, file storage, and an admin UI in one Go binary. Kolaybase is a PostgreSQL-based platform with a dedicated database per project, aimed at multi-tenant, production-scale workloads.
How Kolaybase is different
PocketBase is hard to beat for a quick prototype or a small app you want to run from one binary. Kolaybase trades that single-file simplicity for PostgreSQL's scale and concurrency, per-project database isolation, and Keycloak-grade auth — better suited as apps and teams grow.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Kolaybase | PocketBase |
|---|---|---|
| Database | PostgreSQL (per-project DB) | SQLite (single file) |
| Deployment | Docker Compose stack | Single Go binary |
| Concurrency / scale | High (PostgreSQL) | Best for smaller workloads |
| Auth | Keycloak realm per project | Built-in auth |
| Realtime | Roadmap | Built-in |
| Admin UI | Admin dashboard + SQL editor | Built-in admin UI |
Frequently asked questions
- Is Kolaybase a PocketBase alternative?
- Yes, for teams that outgrow SQLite. PocketBase is ideal for small apps and prototypes in a single binary; Kolaybase gives you PostgreSQL, per-project isolation, and platform features for production multi-tenant apps.
- When should I pick PocketBase over Kolaybase?
- If you want the absolute simplest deployment (one file), a small dataset, and built-in realtime today, PocketBase is a great fit. Choose Kolaybase when you need PostgreSQL's scale, concurrency, and database-per-project isolation.
More comparisons
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PostgreSQL, auth, storage, and a REST API — running in minutes.