Supabase Functions vs Firebase Cloud Functions — Why we Switched for our Eventra Project
While building Eventra, an event management and ticketing platform, we used Supabase Functions and honestly, I was impressed.
They handled almost everything I needed without me spinning up a separate backend server:
- Creating new event orders
- Verifying payments through Paystack webhooks
- Generating tickets after successful payment
- Sending automated emails and confirmations
All these were simple serverless functions deployed directly from Supabase.
What are Supabase Functions?
Supabase Functions are serverless functions that run on Deno (not Node.js).
They let you write backend logic in TypeScript or JavaScript and deploy them directly to the Supabase Ed…
Supabase Functions vs Firebase Cloud Functions — Why we Switched for our Eventra Project
While building Eventra, an event management and ticketing platform, we used Supabase Functions and honestly, I was impressed.
They handled almost everything I needed without me spinning up a separate backend server:
- Creating new event orders
- Verifying payments through Paystack webhooks
- Generating tickets after successful payment
- Sending automated emails and confirmations
All these were simple serverless functions deployed directly from Supabase.
What are Supabase Functions?
Supabase Functions are serverless functions that run on Deno (not Node.js).
They let you write backend logic in TypeScript or JavaScript and deploy them directly to the Supabase Edge network.
That means they’re fast, secure, and automatically scale without any infrastructure setup.
They integrate tightly with Supabase Auth, Database, and Storage, making them feel like a natural part of your backend.
Supabase Functions in My Project
Here’s what I built with them in Eventra
- create-order : Handles new event orders. Validates data and stores order info in the database.
- payment-webhook : Listens for Paystack payment events, verifies transactions, and updates order statuses.
- generate-ticket : Creates unique event tickets after payment confirmation.
- send-mail : Sends confirmation and ticket delivery emails automatically.
Together, these four functions automated the entire transaction flow without a dedicated backend server.
Supabase Functions vs Firebase Cloud Functions
| Feature | Supabase Functions | Firebase Cloud Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | Deno (TypeScript, modern JS, Web APIs) | Node.js only |
| Deployment | supabase functions deploy | firebase deploy --only functions |
| Database Integration | Native Postgres (SQL) | Firestore or Realtime DB (NoSQL) |
| Auth Integration | Built-in with Supabase Auth JWTs | Needs Firebase Auth setup |
| Speed & Performance | Edge-deployed (low latency, almost no cold starts) | Can experience cold starts |
| Openness | Fully open-source | Proprietary |
| Local Testing | supabase functions serve | Firebase emulator suite |
Why I Think Supabase Is Better (for My Use Case)
Runs at the Edge: Functions execute close to users super fast.
SQL-Powered: Works seamlessly with Supabase’s Postgres database.
Simple Workflow: No external setup I can build, test, and deploy from one place.
Open Source: Easier to customize and self-host compared to Firebase.
It’s like having a full backend platform that feels modern, fast, and transparent.
💬 Final Thoughts
While Firebase Cloud Functions remain solid for Node.js and NoSQL projects,
Supabase Functions give developers a cleaner, faster, and more flexible option especially if you love SQL and want everything in one place.
In my case, using them for Eventra made the backend process smoother, cheaper, and a bit friendly to work with it.
Tags
supabase #serverless #firebase #deno #webdev #backend #opensource #javascript
What do you think?
Have you tried Supabase Functions yet?
What’s your experience compared to Firebase Cloud Functions?