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

When developing a web platform for our upcoming college festival, I find myself at a crossroads between two powerful backend options. Despite thorough research and having previously managed last year’s event portal using MongoDB, I’m now contemplating whether to stick with that setup or switch to an all-in-one solution like Supabase. Our target user base is approximately 2,000 attendees, and ensuring reliability and scalability is crucial. I’d like to share my thought process and seek advice from the community.

Evaluating the Options

Option 1: Supabase

• Seamless Authentication: Built-in Google login simplifies user onboarding.

• Rapid Deployment: Efficient setup process with minimal configuration.

• Data Management: Uses a relational PostgreSQL database with auto-generated APIs and real-time capabilities.

• Generous Free Tier: Supports up to 50,000 users per month, 500MB database space, 5GB outbound bandwidth, and 1GB media storage.

• Developer Experience: Offers an integrated environment, reducing backend maintenance and allowing focus on UI/UX.

Option 2: MongoDB Atlas + Render + Hono

• Proven Track Record: Successfully used in a previous event, providing familiarity and dependability.

• Higher Bandwidth Limit: Up to 40GB outbound per month, reducing concerns about traffic spikes.

• Flexible Data Schema: NoSQL structure supports nested data and complex objects.

• Fine-Grained API Control: Using Hono, I can craft customized API endpoints, manage permissions, and integrate authentication methods like NextAuth or JWT.

• Additional Configuration: Requires implementing keep-alive or scheduled jobs to prevent cold starts on Render’s free plan, along with manual setup.

The Dilemma

Why I Lean Toward Supabase

The simplicity and streamlined developer experience are compelling. Features like Google authentication are nearly instant to enable, reducing setup time significantly. For a fast-paced event environment, this “plug-and-play” approach minimizes disruptions. Additionally, with the majority of data in JSON or text (images referenced via URLs), the bandwidth constraints seem manageable unless unexpected traffic surges occur.

Why I Keep Returning to MongoDB + Render + Hono

Last year’s experience demonstrated stability and no significant issues. The elevated bandwidth quota offers greater reassurance during peak times. Furthermore, the ability to tailor backend logic and permissions exactly as needed provides flexibility, especially if future requirements evolve to include more complex data interactions