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Home/r/SideProject/2025-07-21/#go-to-database-for-side-projects
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What's your go to database for your side projects?

r/SideProject
7/21/2025

Content Summary

The post discusses various database options for side projects, including Supabase, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and SQLite. Users share their preferences and experiences, highlighting features, pain points, and potential solutions. The discussion covers self-hosted options, cloud-based services, and embedded databases, with a focus on ease of use, scalability, and maintenance.

Opinion Analysis

Analysis of different viewpoints, mainstream opinions, and debates from post and comments in English: The mainstream opinion favors PostgreSQL for its robustness and features, while SQLite is preferred for simpler projects due to its ease of use. There's a debate about the need for an open-source alternative to PlanetScale for PostgreSQL, with some users expressing interest in developing such a tool. Conflicting opinions exist regarding the use of cloud-based services versus self-hosted solutions, with some users preferring the flexibility of cloud services and others valuing the control of self-hosted options.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Supabasehttps://supabase.comDatabaseReal-time, Authentication, UI for management
PostgreSQLhttps://www.postgresql.orgDatabaseOpen-source, self-hostable, requires good UI for management
MongoDBhttps://www.mongodb.comDatabaseNoSQL, self-hostable, easy setup
SQLitehttps://www.sqlite.orgDatabaseEmbedded, server-less, single file, zero configuration
NeonDBhttps://neon.techDatabaseOpen-source alternative for Postgres, UI for management, schema and data migrations, cron jobs for backups
Cloudflare D1https://developers.cloudflare.com/d1DatabaseCloud-based, easy setup
Convexhttps://convex.devDatabaseReal-time, Authentication
Firebasehttps://firebase.google.comDatabaseFast setup, maintenance issues
Prismahttps://prisma.ioORMWorks with PostgreSQL, simplifies database management
Drizzle ORMhttps://orm.drizzle.teamORMWorks with various databases, simplifies database management
KuzuDBhttps://kuzudb.comDatabaseGraph database, in-process/embedded
Chromahttps://trychroma.comDatabaseVector database, in-process/embedded
DuckDBhttps://duckdb.orgDatabaseSQL-based analytics, fast and versatile
Xanohttps://xano.comDatabaseNo-code tool for database management
Firestorehttps://firebase.google.com/docs/firestoreDatabaseNoSQL, part of Firebase
CloudKithttps://developer.apple.com/icloud/cloudkitDatabaseApple's cloud-based database service
Aurora Serverless v2https://aws.amazon.com/rds/aurora/serverless/DatabaseAWS service, auto-scaling, cost-effective when not in use

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Lack of a good UI for managing PostgreSQL instances
  • Need for schema and data migrations, cron jobs for backups
  • Limited time window rollback and schema branching
  • Maintenance issues with some databases like Firebase

Problems to Solve:

  • Finding an open-source alternative to PlanetScale for PostgreSQL
  • Efficient database management for side projects
  • Balancing features and ease of use

Potential Solutions:

  • Developing an open-source tool for PostgreSQL management
  • Using embedded databases like SQLite for simpler projects
  • Combining tools like Supabase with Drizzle ORM for enhanced functionality

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Building tools that address specific user pain points
  • Offering open-source alternatives to popular paid services

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Engaging with the developer community through forums and discussions
  • Sharing personal projects and tools to attract users

Monetization & Product:

  • Providing a free tier with limited features to attract users
  • Offering paid plans with advanced features and support

User Engagement:

  • Creating and sharing starter templates and resources
  • Building a community around the product through active participation in discussions