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nhost/nhost

Open source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL, with an instant GraphQL API, auth, storage and serverless functions.

Open-source alternative to:Firebase

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What is it?

Nhost is a backend-as-a-service that bundles PostgreSQL as the database, Hasura for an instant GraphQL API over that database, and dedicated services for authentication and file storage. Serverless functions run Node.js code in JavaScript or TypeScript, so a project can handle its backend logic alongside the data layer.

The Nhost CLI supports local development: it sets up a local environment that tracks database migrations and Hasura metadata. An MCP server is built into the CLI so AI coding assistants can read the GraphQL schema, run permitted queries, and manage project configuration. Client libraries are provided for JavaScript/TypeScript and Dart/Flutter, and the project is frontend agnostic with examples for React, Next.js, Vue, SvelteKit and React Native.

You can use the hosted platform, run the CLI locally, or self-host the full stack with the provided docker-compose example. The code is released under the MIT license.

Key features

  • 01Instant GraphQL API generated over a PostgreSQL database via Hasura.
  • 02Built-in authentication and file storage services.
  • 03Serverless functions written in JavaScript or TypeScript.
  • 04CLI for local development with migration and metadata tracking.
  • 05Built-in MCP server for AI coding assistants.
  • 06Client libraries for JavaScript/TypeScript and Dart/Flutter.

Use cases

  • Building a web or mobile app that needs auth, a database and file storage without writing a custom backend.
  • Replacing Firebase in a project that prefers SQL and GraphQL.
  • Self-hosting a complete backend on your own infrastructure with Docker.
  • Letting AI coding assistants work against a live project schema through MCP.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Install the Nhost CLI with Homebrew

    brew install nhost/tap/nhost
  2. 2

    Log in to Nhost

    nhost login
  3. 3

    Initialize the project

    nhost init
  4. 4

    Start the local development environment

    nhost up

Things to know

  • Self-hosting means running the full multi-service stack, which the README points to a docker-compose example for.
  • The quickstart relies on the Nhost CLI and a login to Nhost, so local development is not fully standalone.

Topics

#backend-as-a-service#graphql#postgres#authentication#serverless#firebase-alternative#typescript#backend#database#firebase

FAQ

What is nhost?
Open source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL, with an instant GraphQL API, auth, storage and serverless functions. Nhost is a backend-as-a-service that bundles PostgreSQL as the database, Hasura for an instant GraphQL API over that database, and dedicated services for authentication and file storage. Serverless functions run Node.js code in JavaScript or TypeScript, so a project can handle its backend logic alongside the data layer.
Is nhost free to use? What license does it have?
nhost is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is nhost still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to nhost was on Oct 21, 2026.
What can I use nhost for?
Building a web or mobile app that needs auth, a database and file storage without writing a custom backend. Replacing Firebase in a project that prefers SQL and GraphQL. Self-hosting a complete backend on your own infrastructure with Docker. Letting AI coding assistants work against a live project schema through MCP.
How do I install nhost?
Install the Nhost CLI with Homebrew: brew install nhost/tap/nhost Log in to Nhost: nhost login Initialize the project: nhost init Start the local development environment: nhost up
Where can I get nhost?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/nhost/nhost

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

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