PocketBase

PocketBase is an open-source backend that ships as one file. It includes a database, user authentication, file storage, real-time updates and an admin dashboard, ready to run on a small server.

Strengths: what it’s good at

• Complete out of the box: a working backend with API and admin panel without building one from scratch.
• Self-hosted: your data stays on your server, which helps with data protection.
• Real-time: changes are pushed to connected clients.
• Extendable: custom logic in JavaScript or Go when the project grows.

Limits: what to consider

PocketBase runs on a single server with an SQLite database, which is plenty for many apps but not designed for very high write loads or multi-region setups.

Use: when I choose it

For MVPs, internal tools, small web apps and PWAs that need accounts, data and files without the overhead of a large backend, and as a backend for prototypes that may grow into products.