Supabase vs Redis: Comprehensive Comparison Guide
- Leanware Editorial Team
- 6 hours ago
- 8 min read
Every backend choice has long-term consequences. Supabase and Redis both support modern systems, but they handle very different parts of the stack.
Supabase gives you a full Postgres-based backend - structured data, authentication, storage, and real-time sync all in one place. Redis is an in-memory data store built for speed and simplicity, often used where latency actually matters.
In this guide, we’ll look at how Supabase and Redis work, where they fit, and what matters most when choosing between them.
What are Supabase and Redis?
Supabase and Redis operate in different parts of your stack. Supabase runs your relational database and handles authentication, storage, and real-time updates. Redis keeps data in memory and handles caching, messaging, and other operations where latency matters.
Overview of Supabase
Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL. It combines your database with authentication, file storage, real-time subscriptions, and edge functions. REST and GraphQL APIs are generated automatically from your database schema, so you don’t have to build them manually.
It’s designed for full-stack developers and startups who want to move quickly without managing separate services. You define your schema and write SQL, and Supabase handles the API layer.
Row-level security in PostgreSQL controls data access at the database level. The stack uses PostgREST for the REST API, GoTrue for authentication, Kong as the API gateway,
and Realtime for websocket subscriptions.
Overview of Redis
Redis is an in-memory data structure store used as a cache, message broker, session store, and real-time database. Because data is stored in RAM, most operations complete in sub-millisecond time. It supports strings, hashes, lists, sets, sorted sets, JSON documents, time series, and streams.
It is commonly used in caching layers, real-time analytics pipelines, leaderboards, session management, and pub/sub messaging systems. Recent additions include the Redis Query Engine, which enables vector search, full-text search, and geospatial queries. Data can be persisted through snapshots or append-only files, but the system is primarily built for speed.
In GenAI applications, Redis is often used as a vector store for retrieval-augmented generation, semantic caching, and LLM memory.
Quick Comparison: Supabase vs Redis
Key Differences at a Glance
Data model: Supabase uses relational tables. Redis uses key-value pairs and in-memory structures like lists, sets, and streams.
Speed: Supabase queries are fast but rely on Postgres. Redis operations happen in memory, usually under a millisecond.
Built-in features: Supabase includes auth, storage, edge functions, real-time subscriptions, and auto-generated APIs. Redis offers pub/sub, streams, vector search, and probabilistic data structures.
Use cases: Supabase works well for full-stack apps, MVPs, and dashboards. Redis is better for caching, session storage, real-time analytics, and message queues.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Data model & storage
Supabase uses PostgreSQL’s relational model. You define tables, columns, data types, constraints, and relationships. Joins, aggregations, and subqueries work naturally, which makes it easy to handle evolving business logic.
Redis stores data as key-value pairs in memory, using structures like hashes, lists, sets, sorted sets, JSON documents, time series, and streams. There are no joins—you design your data around access patterns. Redis Query Engine adds indexing for hashes and JSON, enabling vector search and full-text search.
Performance & latency
Redis operates entirely in memory, delivering sub-millisecond responses. It’s ideal for caching, active sessions, leaderboards, and real-time workloads.
Supabase queries hit PostgreSQL, with simple queries in milliseconds and complex joins taking longer. For most web apps, this is sufficient. Redis is often used alongside Supabase to cache hot data and reduce database load.
Deployment types & scalability
Supabase offers managed hosting with a free tier and paid plans from $25/month, or self-hosting via Docker. It scales vertically with larger instances and horizontally with read replicas.
Redis runs as open-source or via Redis Enterprise/Cloud with clustering, auto-failover, and geo-distribution. Horizontal scaling is handled through sharding, distributing keys across nodes for higher throughput.
Real-time capabilities
Supabase provides real-time updates via PostgreSQL replication and WebSockets, which is great for dashboards, chat, and collaboration.
Redis offers pub/sub messaging and streams. Pub/sub delivers messages instantly but isn’t persistent if no subscribers are listening; streams persist messages and support consumer groups. Supabase ties updates to database changes, while Redis is more flexible for messaging patterns.
Security, compliance & governance
Supabase includes authentication (email, OAuth, magic links), row-level security in PostgreSQL, and API key management. Security logic lives close to the data.
Redis provides authentication and ACLs; Redis Enterprise adds TLS, role-based access, and compliance certifications. Application-level auth is handled separately. Supabase’s integrated approach often fits compliance-heavy projects better.
Pricing and cost structure
Supabase has a free tier (500MB database, 1GB storage, 2GB bandwidth) and paid plans from $25/month. Enterprise pricing scales with compute and storage.
Redis open-source is free; Redis Cloud starts around $5/month, scaling with memory and throughput. Enterprise deployments with clustering and geo-distribution can reach thousands per month. Supabase replaces multiple services, while Redis usually supplements performance in existing architectures.
Deployment & Hosting Considerations
Managed vs self-hosted options
Supabase Cloud handles infrastructure, backups, updates, and monitoring, letting you focus on your app. Self-hosting gives full control but requires managing PostgreSQL, PostgREST, GoTrue, Realtime, Storage, and Kong.
Redis open-source is easy to deploy but needs production setup for persistence, replication, and security. Redis Cloud and Enterprise remove much of that operational work and add features like failover and clustering. Simple Redis setups work fine self-hosted, but distributed deployments benefit from managed services.
Edge functions, serverless and global infrastructure
Supabase offers Deno-based edge functions for global execution of custom logic and webhooks. Static assets use global CDNs, though the primary database is region-specific.
Redis Enterprise supports active-active geographic distribution, replicating data across regions for local read and write performance. For global apps, combining Supabase with Redis for regional caching is a practical approach without complex database replication.
When to Use Supabase
Supabase works well when you need to build a complete application quickly. Internal tools, SaaS products, mobile apps, and dashboards benefit from the integrated stack. Authentication and file storage are included, so you don’t need separate services.
Startups building MVPs can move fast: define your schema, enable real-time on relevant tables, and start building features. The PostgreSQL foundation allows your data model to evolve as requirements change. Applications with complex relationships, like an e-commerce system with users, products, orders, reviews, and inventory, fit naturally in a relational model rather than trying to structure everything in Redis.
When to Use Redis
Redis performs best when latency is critical. Gaming leaderboards, session storage for high-traffic apps, and caching layers all benefit from sub-millisecond access. Real-time analytics dashboards, message queues, rate limiting, and API throttling also rely on Redis for performance.
Redis is also suited for IoT streams, financial transactions requiring immediate updates, or GenAI workloads. It can serve as a vector store for retrieval-augmented generation, semantic caching, and LLM memory.
Combined or Hybrid Scenarios
Many systems use both. Application data lives in Supabase, while Redis handles:
Session storage
Caching API responses and queries
Real-time pub/sub notifications
Rate limiting and request tracking
Vector embeddings for AI features
Temporary data that does not need persistence
This approach uses each tool where it performs best: Supabase for structured storage and relational queries, Redis for hot paths and real-time operations.
Which Is Better for You? Supabase or Redis?
Choose Supabase when:
Building a complete application backend.
Need integrated auth, storage, and database.
Working with relational data and complex queries.
Want rapid development without managing separate services.
Building MVPs or full-stack applications.
Choose Redis when:
Optimizing for sub-millisecond latency.
Implementing caching layers.
Building real-time features with pub/sub.
Handling high-throughput data operations.
Need vector search for GenAI applications.
Require specific data structures (sorted sets, streams).
Use both when:
Your application needs structured storage and caching.
Building for scale with performance-critical paths.
Implementing real-time features alongside persistent data.
Adding AI capabilities to existing applications.
Checklist to make your call
What's your primary use case: complete backend or performance optimization?
Do you need relational data with complex queries?
How important is sub-millisecond latency?
Are you starting from scratch or adding to existing infrastructure?
Do you need integrated authentication and storage?
What's your team's experience with SQL vs key-value stores?
Are you building vector search or semantic caching for AI?
What's your operational capacity for managing infrastructure?
Supabase: Advantages & Limitations
Advantages:
Complete backend platform reduces integration work.
PostgreSQL provides robust relational data modeling.
Built-in auth and storage speed up development.
Open-source with self-hosting option (MIT, Apache 2).
Real-time subscriptions without separate infrastructure.
Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs.
Generous free tier for testing and small projects.
Limitations:
Locked to relational model (no document store or key-value).
Performance limited by PostgreSQL characteristics.
Scaling requires vertical upgrades or read replicas.
Real-time has limitations compared to specialized solutions.
Primary database runs in single region.
Redis: Advantages & Limitations
Advantages:
Sub-millisecond latency for most operations.
Flexible data structures for various use cases.
Proven at massive scale across industries.
Active development and strong community.
Works well as complement to other databases.
Vector search capabilities for GenAI applications.
Excellent for caching and real-time operations.
Limitations:
Not suitable as primary database for complex relational data.
Memory-based storage increases costs at scale.
Limited querying compared to SQL databases.
Requires careful data structure design upfront.
No built-in authentication or authorization layer.
Persistence requires configuration (snapshots or AOF).
Getting Started
Start by identifying what your application needs. For a structured backend with authentication, storage, and real-time updates, use Supabase. For fast data access, caching, or real-time messaging, use Redis.
You can also try both together. Set up a small prototype with Supabase handling your main data and Redis for caching or messaging. This lets you see how they perform in practice and decide what fits your workflow and performance needs.
You can also connect with our expert to get guidance on setting up Supabase and Redis in your architecture and see how they can work together effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Supabase best used for?
Supabase is best used for building full-stack web and mobile applications quickly, like SaaS products, admin dashboards, and MVPs. It provides a built-in Postgres database, authentication, real-time features, file storage, and auto-generated APIs.
Is Redis faster than Supabase?
Yes, Redis is faster than Supabase in terms of raw data access speed due to its in-memory architecture, but it serves a different purpose. Redis typically delivers sub-millisecond latency, while Supabase operates at PostgreSQL speeds (single-digit milliseconds for simple queries).
Can you use Supabase and Redis together?
Yes, Supabase and Redis work well together. Use Supabase as your primary database with auth and storage, while Redis handles session storage, caching frequently accessed data, and real-time pub/sub messaging. This combination plays to each tool's strengths.
Is Supabase a good alternative to Firebase?
Supabase is considered a strong open-source alternative to Firebase, especially for developers preferring SQL over NoSQL. It offers similar features (auth, database, storage, real-time) but with PostgreSQL as the foundation instead of a document database.
When should I not use Redis?
Avoid using Redis as your primary database for complex relational data or when you need guaranteed persistence without additional configuration. Use PostgreSQL or Supabase for structured data with relationships, and Redis for caching, sessions, and performance optimization.
