Choosing the Right Backend Solution for a College Event Website: Supabase vs. MongoDB + Render + Hono

Planning a website for our upcoming college festival has presented me with a familiar yet challenging dilemma. After experimenting with last year’s portal using MongoDB, I’m now debating whether to opt for an all-in-one solution like Supabase or stick with the more customizable stack of MongoDB Atlas, Render, and Hono. With approximately 2,000 users expected, I want to make the best choice to ensure reliability and ease of development.

Understanding the Options

Supabase: The All-in-One Platform

• Effortless integration with built-in Google Authentication makes user management straightforward.
• Relational Postgres database coupled with auto-generated APIs simplifies backend development.
• Offers real-time capabilities for live updates if needed.
• Free tier includes generous limits: 50,000 monthly active users, 500MB database storage, 5GB outgoing bandwidth, and 1GB media storage.
• Minimal backend maintenance, allowing developers to focus on user interface and experience.

MongoDB Atlas + Render + Hono: A Proven, Flexible Stack

• Built on a familiar and reliable infrastructure, used successfully last year.
• Higher bandwidth limits (up to 40GB/month), reducing concerns about sudden traffic spikes.
• NoSQL schema offers flexibility—nesting data and handling varying data types effortlessly.
• Customizable backend logic with Hono allows tailored API endpoints, permissions, and integrations like NextAuth or JWT.
• Requires some manual setup, such as managing server keep-alives to prevent cold starts, and configuring authentication.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Advantages of Supabase

• Rapid deployment with minimal setup time.
• User authentication baked in, reducing complexity.
• Less likelihood of environment discrepancies impacting deployment.

Advantages of MongoDB Atlas + Render + Hono

• Greater control over API behavior and data management.
• Higher bandwidth quota makes it safer for unforeseen traffic increases.
• Proven reliability from past experience, with no major issues encountered.
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving needs—more data types, larger files, enhanced features.

The Core Dilemma

Supabase offers a plug-and-play experience ideal for quick setups and minimal backend fuss. It’s attractive for a tight schedule and limited resources, especially given the comprehensive feature set out of the box. However, its bandwidth constraints might become an issue if the event experiences a surge in user activity or media uploads.

On the flip side, the