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

Planning and developing a website for a large college festival can be an exciting yet challenging task, especially when you’re weighing different technology stacks. Whether you’re building a platform to accommodate around 2,000 users or simply trying to decide on the most efficient backend setup, making the right choice is crucial. Here’s a detailed comparison of two popular approaches: an all-in-one backend service like Supabase versus a custom stack comprising MongoDB Atlas, Render, and Hono.

Understanding Your Options

Option 1: Supabase — The All-in-One Backend Platform

• Seamless integration of authentication features such as Google login, simplifying user management.
• Built-in relational database (PostgreSQL) with auto-generated APIs and optional real-time functionalities.
• Generous free tier: supports up to 50,000 monthly users, 500MB database storage, 5GB outbound bandwidth, and 1GB media storage.
• Minimal backend maintenance: focus can remain on designing an engaging user interface and experience without worrying about infrastructure.

Option 2: MongoDB Atlas + Render + Hono — A Flexible, DIY Stack

• Proven reliability from prior experience with similar configurations.
• Larger bandwidth allowance (up to 40GB/month outbound bandwidth), reducing the risk of hitting limits.
• NoSQL database model offers flexible data nesting, suitable for varied types of data.
• Custom API development with Hono, deployed on Render, allows for complex logic and advanced permissions.
• Additional considerations include managing keep-alive settings on Render’s free tier and configuring authentication mechanisms.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Why Lean Towards Supabase

• Simplicity and speed: set up authentication and database with minimal effort.
• Reduced development overhead: fewer moving parts mean less risk of deployment issues.
• Ideal for text and JSON data, benefiting from the free bandwidth allotment, unless unexpected spikes occur.

Why Opt for MongoDB + Render + Hono

• Greater control over backend processes and API endpoints.
• Better suited for future scalability, varied data types, and larger media handling.
• Known stability from prior deployment and testing, providing peace of mind.

Major Considerations and Challenges

• Supabase’s ease of use is appealing, especially for rapid deployment, but its bandwidth limit could constrain growth or surprise spikes.
• The MongoDB-based approach requires additional configuration—such as ensuring services stay warm