Gel vs Manifest
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted developer tools & git options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Manifest
Open-source backend defined from a single YAML file
| Feature | Gel | Manifest |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 64 · Good | 91 · Excellent |
| Category | Developer Tools & Git | Developer Tools & Git |
| License | Apache-2.0 | MIT |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 14,169 | ★ 7,541 |
| First released | 2019 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Firebase, Supabase | Firebase, Supabase |
What are Gel and Manifest?
Gel
Gel, formerly EdgeDB, is an open-source database built on PostgreSQL that combines a strongly typed schema with a powerful query language. It can be self-hosted as the data layer for application development.
- Graph-relational model
- Typed schema and migrations
- Built on PostgreSQL
- Modern query language
Manifest
Manifest is an open-source backend that lets you define a complete REST API, database and admin panel from a single YAML file. It is self-hosted and aimed at rapid backend development.
- Backend from one YAML file
- Auto-generated REST API
- Built-in admin panel
- Self-hostable
Gel vs Manifest: key differences
Gel is written in Python, while Manifest is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Gel versus MIT for Manifest. Manifest is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Gel. Gel is the more established project (first released 2019), while Manifest arrived in 2024.
Why pick each one
Choose Gel if…
- Strongly typed schema
- Built on PostgreSQL
- Built-in migrations
Watch out for
- New query language to learn
- Smaller ecosystem than SQL
Choose Manifest if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 7.5k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is Gel or Manifest better?
Neither is universally better. Gel has the larger community, while Manifest is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Gel and Manifest free and open-source?
Yes. Gel is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Manifest under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Gel and Manifest with Docker?
Gel: yes. Manifest: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Gel or Manifest?
Manifest has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Gel. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.