Best Database for Security
Your database is where user data lives. We compared Supabase, Firebase, PlanetScale, Neon, MongoDB Atlas, and CockroachDB on access control, encryption, audit logging, compliance, and backup/recovery.
The Database Is the Target
Most data breaches end at the database. Attackers exploit application vulnerabilities to reach the data layer, and if access controls are missing or misconfigured, they can extract everything. This is especially relevant for vibe-coded apps, where AI generators frequently create database schemas without configuring proper access policies.
The most critical security feature a database can offer is row-level access control — the ability to restrict which rows each user can read or modify, enforced at the database level rather than in application code. When access control lives in the database, even a buggy API cannot expose data it should not.
With RLS enabled
Even if an attacker finds an API vulnerability, the database itself prevents them from accessing other users' data. Each query is filtered by the authenticated user.
Without RLS
A single API bug can expose every row in the table. The application code is the only barrier, and AI-generated code frequently has authorization gaps.
Security Feature Comparison
| Database | Access Model | Access Control | Encryption | Audit Logs | Backup | Compliance | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | PostgreSQL RLS | 9/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Firebase | Security Rules | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| PlanetScale | Connection-level | 7/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Neon | PostgreSQL RLS | 8/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7.5/10 |
| MongoDB Atlas | Role-based | 7/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| CockroachDB | SQL grants + RBAC | 7/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Database-by-Database Breakdown
Supabase8.5/10
Supabase offers the strongest access control model through PostgreSQL Row Level Security. RLS policies are written in SQL, giving you fine-grained control over every query. Encryption at rest and in transit is standard. The weakness is that RLS must be explicitly enabled per table — AI tools frequently skip this step, leaving tables completely open.
Firebase8/10
Firebase Security Rules provide path-based access control for Firestore and Realtime Database. Google Cloud infrastructure ensures strong encryption and compliance. Cloud Audit Logs provide comprehensive logging. The primary issue is that AI generators frequently leave databases in test mode with rules that allow public read/write to all data.
PlanetScale7.5/10
PlanetScale excels in operational security with its database branching model — you can test schema changes without touching production data. Encryption is excellent, and the backup/recovery capabilities are industry-leading. Access control operates at the connection level (database credentials) rather than row level, which means your application code must enforce per-user data access.
Neon7.5/10
Neon inherits PostgreSQL's RLS capabilities with the added benefit of database branching for testing. Encryption at rest and in transit is standard. As a newer platform, compliance certifications and audit logging features are still catching up to more established options, but the core database security model is solid.
MongoDB Atlas7/10
MongoDB Atlas provides role-based access control, client-side field-level encryption, and comprehensive audit logging. The compliance portfolio is strong. However, MongoDB's document model does not support row-level security in the PostgreSQL sense — access control is managed through database roles and application-level logic, which is harder to get right.
CockroachDB7/10
CockroachDB Serverless offers strong encryption, excellent backup capabilities with geo-distributed resilience, and SQL-standard access control. It is highly available by design. However, it lacks PostgreSQL-style RLS and has a smaller community for security-specific guidance, particularly for vibe-coded applications.
The Vibe Coding Database Problem
Every database on this list can be configured securely. The problem is that AI code generators rarely configure them securely. Supabase and Firebase are the two most common databases in vibe-coded apps, and both have the same fundamental issue: access control is opt-in, not opt-out.
When an AI tool creates a Supabase table, it typically does not enable RLS or write policies. When it creates a Firebase database, it often leaves the default test-mode rules that allow anyone to read and write any data. The database platform is not at fault — the AI-generated configuration is.
VAS specifically tests for these patterns. When you scan your deployed app, VAS checks whether your Supabase tables have RLS enabled and whether your Firebase databases are running with test-mode rules. A $10 Launch Scan covers comprehensive database access control testing, which is the single most impactful security check for any vibe-coded app using a BaaS database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Supabase or Firebase more secure?
Both can be equally secure when properly configured. Supabase uses PostgreSQL Row Level Security (RLS) with SQL-based policies, giving you fine-grained control at the database level. Firebase uses its own Security Rules language that operates at the document or path level. In practice, AI-generated code frequently misconfigures both — Supabase tables without RLS enabled and Firebase databases in test mode. The "more secure" choice is whichever one you actually configure correctly.
What is Row Level Security and why does it matter?
Row Level Security (RLS) is a PostgreSQL feature that lets you define policies controlling which rows each user can select, insert, update, or delete. It matters because it moves access control from your application code into the database itself. Even if your API has a bug that sends unauthorized requests, the database rejects them. Without RLS, your application code is the only thing preventing one user from accessing another user's data — and AI-generated application code frequently has authorization gaps.
Which database is best for a vibe-coded app?
Supabase is the most commonly used database with vibe coding tools because AI generators like Lovable and Bolt frequently scaffold Supabase integration. This makes it the most convenient choice, but convenience does not equal security. If you use Supabase, always verify that RLS is enabled on every table and that your policies correctly restrict data access. A VAS Launch Scan ($10) specifically tests for these issues.
Can AI tools configure database security correctly?
They are getting better but remain unreliable. AI code generators tend to create database tables, columns, and relationships correctly but skip or misconfigure access controls. Common problems include Supabase tables with RLS not enabled, overly permissive policies that let any authenticated user read all data, and Firebase databases left in test mode. Always verify AI-generated database configuration before deploying to production.
How do I test my database security?
The fastest way is a VAS scan. For Supabase apps, VAS checks whether RLS is enabled and tests your policies for common misconfigurations. For Firebase apps, it verifies Security Rules and checks for test-mode databases with open public access. You can also test manually: try to access data as an unauthenticated user, and try to access one user's data while authenticated as a different user. If either succeeds, your access controls are misconfigured.
Test Your Database Access Controls
The most common vulnerability in vibe-coded apps is misconfigured database access. VAS tests your Supabase RLS policies and Firebase Security Rules automatically. A $10 Launch Scan catches the issues AI tools leave behind.