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  1. Stackups
  2. Application & Data
  3. Platform as a Service
  4. Realtime Backend API
  5. Socket.IO vs Supabase

Socket.IO vs Supabase

OverviewDecisionsComparisonAlternatives

Overview

Socket.IO
Socket.IO
Stacks13.6K
Followers11.0K
Votes776
Supabase
Supabase
Stacks529
Followers455
Votes29
GitHub Stars91.8K
Forks10.5K

Socket.IO vs Supabase: What are the differences?

  1. Real-time Communication: Socket.IO is primarily used for real-time communication between the client and the server, allowing for instant updates and notifications to be sent and received. On the other hand, Supabase is a real-time database that automatically synchronizes data changes between the server and the client, enabling real-time data collaboration.
  2. Data Persistence: Socket.IO does not provide built-in data persistence. It is mainly used for real-time communication and does not have a dedicated database infrastructure. Conversely, Supabase includes a PostgreSQL database with data persistence capabilities, allowing developers to store and manipulate data directly within the platform.
  3. Authentication and Authorization: Socket.IO does not offer built-in user authentication and authorization features. It requires developers to implement their own authentication mechanisms. Conversely, Supabase provides a complete user authentication system with support for various authentication providers (e.g., email/password, social login), token-based authentication, and fine-grained access control to protect data resources.
  4. Real-time Database Triggers: Socket.IO does not come with pre-built real-time database triggers. Developers need to manually implement any triggers necessary for real-time updates. In contrast, Supabase offers triggers that can be set up to automatically push updates to connected clients whenever changes occur in the database, making real-time updates effortless.
  5. Real-time Queries and Filters: Socket.IO does not provide built-in features for real-time queries or filters. Developers are responsible for implementing custom logic to retrieve and filter data in real-time. In Supabase, real-time queries and filters are supported out of the box, allowing developers to subscribe to specific data changes and receive updates in real-time based on predefined query conditions.
  6. API Layer: Socket.IO is primarily an event-driven WebSocket library, providing a real-time communication layer between the client and the server. However, it does not offer a well-defined API layer for backend functionality. Supabase, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive API layer that allows developers to interact with the database using RESTful endpoints, making it easier to build complex backend functionalities alongside real-time features.

In Summary, Socket.IO focuses on real-time communication, while Supabase combines real-time data synchronization with a powerful API layer for database operations and user authentication.

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Advice on Socket.IO, Supabase

Noam
Noam

Jul 16, 2020

Needs adviceonNode.jsNode.jsExpressJSExpressJSReactReact

We are starting to work on a web-based platform aiming to connect artists (clients) and professional freelancers (service providers). In-app, timeline-based, real-time communication between users (& storing it), file transfers, and push notifications are essential core features. We are considering using Node.js, ExpressJS, React, MongoDB stack with Socket.IO & Apollo, or maybe using Real-Time Database and functionalities of Firebase.

1.15M views1.15M
Comments
Anil
Anil

Mar 7, 2020

Needs advice

I want to add uWebSockets.js in my application for real-time chatting, for that, I have to draw a UML and ufd diagram flow then I have to implement it in my code, my stack is node js, android, express, MongoDB, Redis. how can I do this? I want to add uWebSockets.js in my application for real-time chatting, for that, I have to draw a UML and ufd diagram flow then I have to implement it in my code, my stack is node js, android, express, MongoDB, Redis. how can I do this?I want to add uWebSockets.js in my application for real-time chatting, for that, I have to draw a UML and ufd diagram flow then I have to implement it in my code, my stack is node js, android, express, MongoDB, Redis. how can I do this?i want to add uWebSockets.js in my application for real time chatting, for that i have to draw a uml and ufd diagram flow then i have to implement it in my code , my stack is node js , android , express , mongoDb, redis . how can i do a this?

46.7k views46.7k
Comments

Detailed Comparison

Socket.IO
Socket.IO
Supabase
Supabase

It enables real-time bidirectional event-based communication. It works on every platform, browser or device, focusing equally on reliability and speed.

Supabase is currently in early-Alpha .It is an open-source Firebase alternative. It adds realtime and RESTful APIs to your PostgreSQL database without a single line of code.

Real-time analytics - Push data to clients that gets represented as real-time counters, charts or logs.;Binary streaming - Starting in 1.0, it's possible to send any blob back and forth: image, audio, video.;Instant messaging and chat - Socket.IO's "Hello world" is a chat app in just a few lines of code.;Document collaboration - Allow users to concurrently edit a document and see each other's changes.
Full Postgres database; Instant RESTful API; Realtime notifications via websockets; APIs always in sync with your schema; Custom API docs for your schema; Built-in security & monitoring
Statistics
GitHub Stars
-
GitHub Stars
91.8K
GitHub Forks
-
GitHub Forks
10.5K
Stacks
13.6K
Stacks
529
Followers
11.0K
Followers
455
Votes
776
Votes
29
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 219
    Real-time
  • 143
    Node.js
  • 141
    Event-based communication
  • 102
    Open source
  • 102
    WebSockets
Cons
  • 12
    Bad documentation
  • 4
    Githubs that complement it are mostly deprecated
  • 3
    Doesn't work on React Native
  • 2
    Websocket Errors
  • 2
    Small community
Pros
  • 7
    Relational Database
  • 6
    Self hosting
  • 3
    Postgres hosting
  • 3
    Free
  • 3
    Open source
Cons
  • 0
    No cons
Integrations
Auth0
Auth0
Gatsby
Gatsby
Flutter
Flutter
React
React
Backbone.js
Backbone.js
Cloud Firestore
Cloud Firestore
Outbrain
Outbrain
Streamlit
Streamlit
CodeSandbox
CodeSandbox
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL
Arengu
Arengu
Stream
Stream
PostgREST
PostgREST
Replibyte
Replibyte
Directus
Directus
Trevor.io
Trevor.io
Prisma
Prisma

What are some alternatives to Socket.IO, Supabase?

Firebase

Firebase

Firebase is a cloud service designed to power real-time, collaborative applications. Simply add the Firebase library to your application to gain access to a shared data structure; any changes you make to that data are automatically synchronized with the Firebase cloud and with other clients within milliseconds.

PubNub

PubNub

PubNub makes it easy for you to add real-time capabilities to your apps, without worrying about the infrastructure. Build apps that allow your users to engage in real-time across mobile, browser, desktop and server.

Pusher

Pusher

Pusher is the category leader in delightful APIs for app developers building communication and collaboration features.

SignalR

SignalR

SignalR allows bi-directional communication between server and client. Servers can now push content to connected clients instantly as it becomes available. SignalR supports Web Sockets, and falls back to other compatible techniques for older browsers. SignalR includes APIs for connection management (for instance, connect and disconnect events), grouping connections, and authorization.

Ably

Ably

Ably offers WebSockets, stream resume, history, presence, and managed third-party integrations to make it simple to build, extend, and deliver digital realtime experiences at scale.

Syncano

Syncano

Syncano is a backend platform to build powerful real-time apps more efficiently. Integrate with any API, minimize boilerplate code and control your data - all from one place.

NATS

NATS

Unlike traditional enterprise messaging systems, NATS has an always-on dial tone that does whatever it takes to remain available. This forms a great base for building modern, reliable, and scalable cloud and distributed systems.

SocketCluster

SocketCluster

SocketCluster is a fast, highly scalable HTTP + realtime server engine which lets you build multi-process realtime servers that make use of all CPU cores on a machine/instance. It removes the limitations of having to run your Node.js server as a single thread and makes your backend resilient by automatically recovering from worker crashes and aggregating errors into a central log.

deepstream.io

deepstream.io

Scalable Server for Realtime Web Apps with JSON structures that can be read, manipulated and listened to, messages that can be sent to one or more subscribers, and request response workflows, between two clients or servers.

8base

8base

A cloud service designed to power enterprise-grade web and mobile applications that require support for large numbers of users, complex data and transactional requirements, comprehensive role-based security and a modern look-and-feel.

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