nhost
Nhost is an open-source backend-as-a-service platform designed as a Firebase alternative, combining PostgreSQL, GraphQL via Hasura, authentication, file storage, and serverless functions. It supports both managed hosting and self-hosted deployments, with local development via CLI.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | nhost/nhost |
| Owner | nhost |
| Primary language | Go |
| License | MIT — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 9.2k |
| Forks | 596 |
| Open issues | 122 |
| Latest release | @nhost/[email protected] (2026-06-29) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-08 |
| Source | https://github.com/nhost/nhost |
What nhost is
Nhost abstracts PostgreSQL with Hasura's instant GraphQL API, provides custom authentication service, object storage, Node.js serverless functions, and a CLI for local development and migrations. Primary language is Go; frontend-agnostic with JavaScript/TypeScript and Dart clients.
Get the nhost source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/nhost/nhost.gitcd nhost# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Local CLI setup requires database migration strategy; ensure team familiates with Hasura metadata and SQL schema versioning.
- GraphQL schema is auto-generated from PostgreSQL; custom resolvers or business logic require serverless function wiring, which may increase latency.
- Authentication service is custom; verify multi-factor authentication, SAML/OIDC, and rate-limiting features match your security posture.
- Self-hosting demands Kubernetes or Docker Compose expertise; managed platform abstracts this but introduces vendor dependency.
- Storage service integrations (S3, etc.) and third-party APIs (Stripe, Twilio) are referenced in examples; verify SDKs and docs for your stack.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Real-Time Sync Required at Scale — If your use case demands heavy real-time subscriptions or distributed sync across offline clients, evaluate Hasura's real-time capabilities and network overhead before committing.
- Exotic Database Requirements — Nhost is PostgreSQL-only. Projects needing MongoDB, DynamoDB, or other databases require custom integration or alternative platforms.
- Complex Workflow Orchestration — Node.js serverless functions are basic. If you need enterprise job scheduling, message queues, or complex business logic orchestration, consider dedicated workflow engines.
- Enterprise Vendor Lock-in Concerns — While open-source, self-hosting requires operational maturity. If managed service is preferred but vendor lock-in is a risk, evaluate Supabase or similar alternatives first.
License & commercial use
Licensed under MIT (MIT License), a permissive OSI-approved open-source license. No copyleft restrictions; allows proprietary use, modification, and distribution.
MIT License permits commercial use without fees or restrictions. No warranty or liability claims in the license. For production use, review Nhost's managed service terms separately; self-hosting requires your operational liability.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Strong |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Strong |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Built on PostgreSQL and Hasura, both mature projects. Nhost's custom authentication service requires independent security audit before production use. Self-hosting security depends on operator infrastructure (network, TLS, RBAC). No third-party security certification mentioned. Rate-limiting, CORS, and API key management are standard; verify MFA and OAuth2 OIDC support match compliance requirements.
Alternatives to consider
Supabase
PostgreSQL + GraphQL alternative (via PostgREST + Realtime). Managed service with similar feature set; stronger PostgreSQL tooling and Auth0 integration.
Firebase (Google)
Established BaaS with NoSQL, auth, storage, and hosting. Tighter Google Cloud integration; no SQL or self-hosting option; potential vendor lock-in.
Hasura Cloud
Hasura standalone with auth and serverless. Lighter-weight; GraphQL-first; less opinionated than Nhost but requires bringing your own auth and storage.
Build on nhost with DEV.co software developers
Start with the Nhost CLI for local development or explore the managed platform at nhost.io. Review security and operational requirements for production use.
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nhost FAQ
Can I self-host Nhost?
Does Nhost support real-time subscriptions?
What programming languages do serverless functions support?
Is Nhost HIPAA or SOC 2 compliant?
Work with a software development agency
Adopting nhost is usually one piece of a larger software development effort. As a software development agency, DEV.co provides software development services and web development expertise — pairing senior software developers and web developers with your team to design, build, and operate open-source databases software in production.
Ready to Evaluate Nhost?
Start with the Nhost CLI for local development or explore the managed platform at nhost.io. Review security and operational requirements for production use.