Choosing the Right Backend Solution for a College Event Website: Supabase vs. MongoDB + Render + Hono
Launching a website for a college festival comes with its own set of challenges, especially when deciding on the backend infrastructure. After completing extensive research and having previously operated a portal using MongoDB, I find myself at a crossroads for this year’s project. With approximately 2,000 users expected, I want to select a solution that balances ease of use, scalability, and reliability. Here, I’ll share a detailed comparison of two popular stacks I’m considering, hoping to gather insights or experiences from others who’ve faced similar dilemmas.
The Contenders
Option 1: Supabase — An All-in-One Backend Platform
- Rapid setup with integrated Google Authentication
- Relational database (PostgreSQL) with auto-generated APIs
- Supports real-time updates
- Generous free tier: up to 50,000 users/month, 500MB database storage, 5GB outbound bandwidth, 1GB media storage
- Minimal backend maintenance: focus on UI/UX without worrying about infrastructure
Option 2: MongoDB Atlas + Render + Hono — A More Customizable Approach
- Proven stack from last year’s event
- Higher outbound bandwidth (up to 40GB/month), reducing the risk of quotas
- Flexible NoSQL data modeling, allowing nested data structures
- Custom API development with Hono, deployed on Render
- Autonomous control over endpoints, permissions, and auth mechanisms (NextAuth, JWT, etc.)
- Requires managing keep-alive settings or scheduled pings to prevent cold starts on Render’s free tier
- More setup and configuration effort
Why I’m Torn
Favoring Supabase:
– The streamlined, all-in-one experience simplifies development — Google login toggles are just a dashboard setting
– Less infrastructure management, ideal for rapid deployment suited to dynamic college festivals
– Reduced risk of deployment issues; consistent environment
– Mostly text/JSON data; bandwidth is unlikely to be a concern unless there’s an unexpected spike
Leaning Toward MongoDB + Render + Hono:
– Familiarity from last year’s reliable setup
– Significantly higher free bandwidth, offering peace of mind against quota limits
– Greater control over backend logic and customization options — adaptable to potential future needs
– Better suited if the project scales or introduces more complex data types and files
The Core Dilemma
Supabase provides a
