Appwrite vs Hasura

What Appwrite is

Appwrite is an open-source backend server for web, mobile, and flutter developers that is meant to be self-hosted. It abstracts away the complexity of common backend tasks like authentication, database management, and file storage. With its easy-to-use API and beautiful management console, Appwrite allows you to focus on building your app's frontend while it handles the heavy lifting of the backend. It is the perfect choice for developers who want the convenience of Firebase but prefer to own and control their own data.

What Hasura is

Hasura puts an instant GraphQL API over an existing database, with permissions defined per role rather than written in code. Pointing it at an existing database gives you an API in an afternoon, with row-level permissions declared per role rather than scattered through handlers. The catch is that unusual business logic still has to live somewhere, usually in actions or a service behind it.

What Appwrite is built to do

Unified API

Access your entire backend through a single, consistent REST or GraphQL API.

Appwrite Functions

Run server-side code in 15+ different languages with ease.

Realtime

Listen for database and authentication changes live across all connected devices.

Security Suite

Built-in protection against common attacks and secure data handling.

What Hasura is built to do

Instant GraphQL API

Generates queries, mutations and subscriptions from existing tables.

Role-based permissions

Declares row and column access rules per role instead of in code.

Actions and remote schemas

Extends the generated API with custom business logic and other services.

Choose Appwrite if

• Flutter Developers and Self-hosting Enthusiasts.

Choose Hasura if

• Teams that want an API over an existing database quickly.

Appwrite: pros & cons

• Total Data Control: Self-host it on your own server to ensure 100% privacy.
• Great SDK Support: Beautiful libraries for Web, Flutter, Android, and iOS.
• Comprehensive Tools: Includes Auth, Database, Storage, and Functions in one place.
• Open Source: Benefit from a fast-growing community and zero vendor lock-in.
• Maintenance: Since it is self-hosted, you are responsible for server updates and backups.
• Scaling: Managing a large-scale Appwrite cluster requires significant server knowledge.
• Smaller Community: Not as many third-party plugins or tutorials as Firebase yet.

Hasura: pros & cons

• API appears without writing resolvers
• Row-level permissions handled declaratively
• Real-time subscriptions built in
• Business logic still needs somewhere to live
• Ties your API shape to your schema
• Cloud pricing scales with usage