> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.insforge.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Alternatives

> How InsForge compares to Supabase and Firebase.

InsForge is the **agent-native cloud infrastructure platform**. A coding agent
gives any app a Postgres database, authentication, storage, edge functions,
compute, hosting, and an AI model gateway, driven end to end through one CLI. It
is open source (Apache-2.0).

Its MCP server and CLI expose that infrastructure as structured,
machine-readable context, so AI coding agents can plan and execute operations
autonomously within scoped permissions. The shift in the human's role: with
traditional platforms you **implement and execute**; with InsForge you **define
intent and review**.

<Note>
  For the full, always-current write-ups see
  [InsForge vs Supabase](https://insforge.dev/alternatives/insforge-vs-supabase)
  and [InsForge vs Firebase](https://insforge.dev/alternatives/insforge-vs-firebase).
</Note>

## InsForge vs. Supabase

Supabase is an open-source, Postgres-based backend built for human developers.
InsForge shares the Postgres foundation but is built for AI coding agents as
first-class operators.

| Dimension           | Supabase                       | InsForge                           |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
| Primary operator    | Human developers               | AI coding agents                   |
| Configuration model | Explicit UI, SQL, CLI          | Agent-executed operations          |
| Permission design   | Developer-managed access       | Scoped agent autonomy              |
| System context      | Implicit, developer-maintained | Structured, machine-readable (MCP) |
| Payments            | Via app code                   | Built-in Stripe integration        |
| AI model access     | External model wiring          | Built-in model gateway             |
| Security            | Per-integration implementation | Production-ready defaults          |
| Agent readiness     | Requires manual wiring         | End-to-end operable                |

## InsForge vs. Firebase

Firebase targets rapid prototyping on document-oriented NoSQL with human
operators. InsForge targets agentic coding on relational Postgres.

| Dimension        | Firebase                | InsForge                           |
| ---------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Database         | Document-oriented NoSQL | Relational Postgres                |
| Data model       | Schemaless JSON         | Structured tables with relations   |
| Joins            | Not natively supported  | Native joins and queries           |
| Transactions     | Supported with limits   | Full ACID transactions             |
| Self-hosting     | Not supported           | Docker / self-hostable             |
| Primary operator | Human developers        | AI coding agents                   |
| System context   | Implicit, fragmented    | Structured, machine-readable (MCP) |
| AI integration   | External setup          | Built-in model gateway             |
| Payments         | Manual integration      | Built-in Stripe primitive          |

## Why teams pick InsForge

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Agent-native by design" icon="robot">
    One MCP server exposes schemas, permissions, and logs as structured context,
    so an AI coding agent can provision and operate the whole stack end to end,
    not just query a database.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Production-ready primitives" icon="layer-group">
    Payments (Stripe), an AI model gateway, and deployment are included out of
    the box, instead of wiring each integration yourself.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Relational Postgres" icon="database">
    Native joins, full ACID transactions, and schema enforcement, so your data
    and skills transfer. No proprietary document model to design around.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Open source, self-hostable" icon="server">
    Run it on your own infrastructure with Docker, or use the managed cloud.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Card title="Start building" icon="rocket" href="https://insforge.dev/auth/sign-up">
  Create a project and connect your favorite AI coding agent.
</Card>