> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rocket.new/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Comparison guide

> Compare database and CMS integrations in Rocket: Supabase, Airtable, Strapi, and Directus for backends and content management.

export const LlmsDirective = () => <blockquote className="llms-directive">
    For the complete documentation index, see <a href="/llms.txt">llms.txt</a>.
    For a lightweight markdown version of this page, append .md to the URL.
  </blockquote>;

<LlmsDirective />

Rocket supports four backend integrations, each designed for different use cases. This page helps you choose the right one.

## Quick answer

* For a full-stack backend with auth, database, storage, and edge functions, use **Supabase**.
* For lightweight data management with a spreadsheet-style interface, use **Airtable**.
* For content management with a visual admin panel, use **Strapi** or **Directus**.

<Note>
  Supabase connects via OAuth. Airtable uses a personal access token. Strapi and Directus use an API token plus your instance URL.
</Note>

## Comparison table

*Scroll right to see all four services*

| Feature                 | Supabase                              | Airtable                              | Strapi                      | Directus                         |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Best for**            | Full-stack app backend                | Lightweight data, CRM, internal tools | Blog and content management | Content management on any SQL DB |
| **Database**            | PostgreSQL (full SQL)                 | Proprietary (spreadsheet-style)       | SQLite, MySQL, PostgreSQL   | Any SQL database                 |
| **User authentication** | Built-in (email, social, magic links) | No                                    | Plugin-based                | Admin-level (not end-user auth)  |
| **File storage**        | Built-in                              | Attachment fields                     | Media library               | Asset management                 |
| **Edge functions**      | Yes (Deno)                            | No                                    | No                          | Flows (automation)               |
| **REST API**            | Auto-generated                        | Yes                                   | Yes                         | Yes                              |
| **GraphQL**             | Via extension                         | No                                    | Yes                         | Yes                              |
| **Admin panel**         | Supabase Dashboard                    | Airtable UI                           | Visual admin                | Visual admin                     |
| **Self-hosted option**  | Yes                                   | No                                    | Yes                         | Yes                              |
| **Free tier**           | 500 MB DB, 1 GB storage               | 1,000 records per base                | Self-hosted (free)          | Self-hosted (free)               |
| **Connection method**   | OAuth                                 | Personal access token                 | API token + URL             | Access token + URL               |

<Divider />

## Detailed recommendations

### Building a web or mobile app that needs user accounts and a database

**Use Supabase.** It provides a PostgreSQL database, user authentication (email, Google, GitHub, magic links), file storage, and edge functions in a single platform. Rocket connects via OAuth, so you do not need to manage API keys.

```plaintext wrap theme={null}
Connect Supabase and add user signup with email and Google login. Create a profiles table with name, avatar, and bio fields.
```

### Need a simple database for leads, inventory, or internal tools

**Use Airtable.** It works like a spreadsheet with the power of a database. It is great for managing leads, content calendars, inventory, and lightweight CRM workflows. Non-technical team members can view and edit data directly in Airtable's interface.

```plaintext wrap theme={null}
Connect Airtable and display my product inventory in a searchable table. Let users filter by category and sort by price.
```

### Building a blog, docs site, or content-heavy website

**Use Strapi or Directus.** Both are headless CMS platforms with visual admin panels for managing articles, pages, and media. Choose based on your database preference:

* **Strapi** has a larger community, more plugins, and a built-in media library. It works with SQLite, MySQL, or PostgreSQL.
* **Directus** wraps any existing SQL database with an instant API. Choose it if you already have a database or want GraphQL support.

```plaintext wrap theme={null}
Connect Strapi and pull blog posts with categories, author pages, featured images, and an RSS feed.
```

### Using multiple backends in the same app

**Combine Supabase with a CMS.** Use Supabase for user accounts and dynamic data, and Strapi or Directus for editorial content. This is common for SaaS products with a blog, or e-commerce sites with a product catalog managed by a content team.

```plaintext wrap theme={null}
Use Supabase for user accounts and Strapi for blog content. Show personalized content recommendations based on the user's reading history.
```

<Divider />

## Browse database and CMS integrations

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Supabase" icon="database" href="./supabase">
    PostgreSQL database, auth, storage, and edge functions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Airtable" icon="table-cells" href="./airtable">
    Spreadsheet-meets-database for lightweight data management.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Strapi" icon="server" href="./strapi">
    Open-source headless CMS with a visual admin panel.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Directus" icon="cubes" href="./directus">
    Open-source CMS wrapping any SQL database with instant API.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>