# Cheap Cloud Database Options

#### You:
what can i use as a simple cloud database like super super cheap good storage

#### ChatGPT:
If you want **super simple + super cheap cloud database**, there are basically 3 “tiers” of options depending on how DIY you’re willing to go:

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# 🟢 Easiest + cheapest (recommended for most people)

## 1. Supabase

👉 This is probably the **best default choice right now**

- Free tier:
  - \~500MB database + 1GB storage ([AgileSoftLabs](https://www.agilesoftlabs.com/blog/2026/03/supabase-vs-firebase-2026-open-source?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- Built on PostgreSQL (real SQL, not weird NoSQL)
- Comes with auth, API, storage, realtime built-in
- Very predictable pricing (no surprise bills)

💡 Why it’s good:

- You don’t manage servers
- Works like “Firebase but sane pricing”
- Can scale later

💸 Cost:

- Free for small projects
- \~$25/month when you grow ([AgileSoftLabs](https://www.agilesoftlabs.com/blog/2026/03/supabase-vs-firebase-2026-open-source?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

👉 If you just want “it works” → pick this.

---

## 2. Firebase

👉 Also very easy, but different trade-offs

- Free tier exists (good for tiny apps)
- NoSQL (Firestore)
- Super fast to start

⚠️ Downsides:

- Pricing is **pay-per-read/write**
- Can get expensive fast if usage grows ([Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/supabase-vs-firebase-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

💡 Good if:

- You’re building mobile apps
- Very small usage

---

# 🟡 Cheapest possible (but slightly more technical)

## 3. Neon

👉 Think: “barebones Supabase”

- Serverless PostgreSQL
- Scales to zero (you literally pay almost nothing when idle) ([BuildMVPFast](https://www.buildmvpfast.com/api-costs/database?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

💡 Good if:

- You just need a database (no auth, no extras)
- You want ultra-low cost

---

# 🔴 Absolute cheapest (DIY mode)

## 4. Self-host on a cheap VPS

- Use PostgreSQL / SQLite
- Host on something like €3-5/month VPS

From dev discussions:

> “SQLite runs on a potato… 5-6 apps on a $5 VPS” ([Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Supabase/comments/1qgny6k/love_supabase_but_the_25mo_pricing_tier_killed_my/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

💡 Tradeoff:

- Cheapest possible
- But you manage everything yourself

---

# 🧠 Simple recommendation

If you want:

- **No headache + cheap** → use **Supabase**
- **Ultra minimal cost + OK with setup** → use **Neon**
- **Absolute cheapest possible** → VPS + SQLite/Postgres
- **Google ecosystem / mobile-first** → Firebase

---

# ⚡ My honest take

For 90% of people (especially side projects):

👉 Start with **Supabase free tier**\
👉 You’ll probably never pay anything unless your app grows

---

If you tell me:

- what you're building
- expected users
- and tech stack

I can suggest the *cheapest possible setup specifically for you* 👍


#### You:
i got big projects and i need $1 a month

#### ChatGPT:
Alright - I’m gonna be very direct with you:

👉 **$1/month + big projects = basically impossible on managed cloud DBs**

Even the *cheapest real services* look like this:

- **Supabase** → free → then \~$25/month ([AgileSoftLabs](https://www.agilesoftlabs.com/blog/2026/03/supabase-vs-firebase-2026-open-source?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- **Neon** → free → then \~$15/month ([BuildMVPFast](https://www.buildmvpfast.com/api-costs/database?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- **Turso** → cheapest paid ≈ $4.99/month ([BuildMVPFast](https://www.buildmvpfast.com/api-costs/database?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

👉 So **$1/month doesn’t exist** in normal SaaS pricing.

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# 💥 The reality (no fluff)

If your project is actually “big” (traffic, data, users):

- Cloud providers charge for:
  - storage
  - compute
  - network
- Even “cheap” plans jump to **$5-25/month minimum**

---

# 🧠 The ONLY way to hit \~$1/month

## ✅ Option 1 - Free tier abuse (best hack)

Use:

- Supabase free tier
- Neon free tier

You can:

- split your app into multiple projects
- stay under limits

💡 Reality:

- Works for MVPs
- Breaks instantly when you scale

---

## ✅ Option 2 - Single cheap VPS (THIS is your answer)

👉 This is how people actually run cheap big systems

- Rent VPS: \~$3-5/month
- Run:
  - PostgreSQL OR SQLite
  - multiple apps on same DB

💡 Why it works:

- Fixed cost (no scaling bills)
- You can host **many projects on one DB**

From dev discussions:

> “run many apps on one VPS for a fixed price” ([BuildMVPFast](https://www.buildmvpfast.com/api-costs/database?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

👉 This is the ONLY realistic way to get close to $1/project

---

## ✅ Option 3 - SQLite-based cloud (ultra cheap niche)

- Turso
- or self-host SQLite

💡 Why:

- SQLite is insanely lightweight
- almost no infra cost

---

# 🚨 Important truth

If you truly have:

- big data
- real users
- production traffic

👉 then:

> **$1/month is not realistic anywhere**

Even companies optimized for cost still charge more at scale ([BuildMVPFast](https://www.buildmvpfast.com/api-costs/database?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

---

# ⚡ Best setup for YOU (based on what you said)

If your goal is:
👉 “big projects but ultra cheap”

Do this:

**Stack:**

- VPS ($5/month)
- PostgreSQL
- Backend (Node / Go / whatever)

👉 Cost per project:

- If you run 5-10 apps → effectively **$0.50-$1 each**

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# 🧠 My blunt recommendation

- Don’t chase $1 with managed services → waste of time
- Either:
  - use free tier (temporary)
  - OR go VPS and own everything

---

If you want, tell me:

- how many users
- how much data (GB)
- read/write load

I can design you a **$5/month architecture that scales way further than Supabase** 👍
