PocketBase vs Wasp
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
PocketBase
Open-source backend in a single file
VS
Wasp
Declarative full-stack web framework for React and Node
| Feature | PocketBase | Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Self-Hosting Platforms (PaaS) | Developer Tools & Git |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | Go | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, docker, source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 60,550 | ★ 18,663 |
| First released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Firebase | Firebase |
Why pick each one
Choose PocketBase if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 60.5k GitHub stars
Choose Wasp if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 18.7k GitHub stars
- Written in TypeScript
Frequently asked questions
Is PocketBase or Wasp better?
PocketBase is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Wasp if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are PocketBase and Wasp free and open-source?
Yes. PocketBase is licensed under MIT and Wasp under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run PocketBase and Wasp with Docker?
PocketBase: yes. Wasp: yes.