Supabase
Firebase

Supabase vs Firebase Security

Supabase and Firebase are the two most popular BaaS platforms for vibe coding tools like Lovable and Bolt. Both require proper security configuration, but their approaches differ significantly.

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Security Comparison

Category
Supabase
Firebase
Security Model
Row Level Security (RLS) - PostgreSQL policies at database level
Security Rules - JSON-based rules evaluated per request
Default Security
Tables open by default - must enable RLS
Test mode is insecure by default
Policy Complexity
SQL-based policies - steeper learning curve
JSON syntax - more accessible but can get complex
Performance
Policies evaluated at database level - very fast
Rules evaluated per request - can add latency
Debugging
Test in SQL editor or with queries
Firebase Emulator with dedicated testing tools
Key Exposure Risk
service_role key is dangerous if exposed
Admin SDK credentials are dangerous if exposed

The Verdict

Both platforms are secure when properly configured. Supabase offers more powerful security at the database level, while Firebase provides more accessible tooling for testing. The 'better' choice depends on your team's expertise.

Choose Supabase if you're comfortable with SQL and want database-level security. Choose Firebase if you prefer visual tools and simpler syntax. Either way, use VAS to verify your configuration before launch.

Industry Security Context

When comparing Supabase vs Firebase, consider these broader security trends.

10.3%

of Lovable applications (170 out of 1,645) had exposed user data in the CVE-2025-48757 incident

Source: CVE-2025-48757 security advisory

91%

of data breaches involve databases with misconfigured access controls

Source: Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report

4.45 million USD

average cost of a data breach in 2023

Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023

Vibe coding your way to a production codebase is clearly risky. Most of the work we do as software engineers involves evolving existing systems, where the quality and understandability of the underlying code is crucial.

Simon WillisonSecurity Researcher, Django Co-creator

Using Supabase or Firebase?

Regardless of which platform you choose, VAS scans for security issues specific to your stack.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more secure: Supabase RLS or Firebase Security Rules?

Neither is inherently more secure - both can be configured securely or insecurely. Supabase RLS runs at the database level (faster, harder to bypass), while Firebase Rules run per-request (more flexible, easier to test). The security depends on YOUR configuration, not the platform.

Can I migrate security rules between Supabase and Firebase?

Not directly - the syntax and models are completely different. RLS uses SQL policies, Firebase uses JSON rules. You'll need to rewrite your security logic when migrating. Consider documenting your security requirements in plain English first, then implementing in the target system.

Which platform has better security defaults?

Both have weak defaults: Supabase tables have RLS disabled by default; Firebase creates test mode rules that allow all access. Neither is secure out-of-the-box. You must configure security manually regardless of which platform you choose.