Pocketbase
✓ Verified by EU AltsOpen-source backend in a single file — a European alternative to Firebase.
Overview
Pocketbase is a Sofia, Bulgaria-based European company building developer tools and open source software since 2022. EU Alts has verified that Pocketbase independently owned, with its ultimate ownership based in Bulgaria and operates under GDPR, outside the reach of the US CLOUD Act — a privacy-friendly alternative to GitHub, Atlassian, and JetBrains's US-distributed peers for European teams.
Why European teams pick Pocketbase
Teams in Europe pick Pocketbase when they want a developer tools provider that bills in EUR, supports their local data-protection officer requirements, and keeps customer data under Bulgaria law, operating since 2022. Compared with GitHub, Atlassian, and JetBrains's US-distributed peers, Pocketbase avoids cross-border data transfers under Schrems II and the US CLOUD Act — a fact EU Alts has verified, not just assumed from its EU headquarters.
See more EU developer tools tools or browse other startups from Bulgaria.
About
Pocketbase is a Go-based open-source backend-as-a-service that ships as a single executable binary — no Docker, no external database, no configuration. It provides an embedded SQLite database, real-time subscriptions, file storage, authentication (email/password, OAuth2, OTP), and an extendable Go API — all in one binary that runs on a €5/month EU VPS. Because it runs as a single binary on your own server, all data stays on your EU infrastructure with no third-party involvement. It is the most popular self-hosted Firebase alternative among EU indie developers and solo founders building side projects and MVPs.
Details
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Ownership
- Independently owned (Bulgaria)
- CLOUD Act
- Not exposed
- Company size
- 1–10 employees
Categories
Other EU startups like Pocketbase
- Unchained Engine Switzerland — Open-source headless e-commerce framework for Node.js, self-hostable and Swiss-made.
- Codebahn Sweden — Codebahn is managed Git and CI for European teams.
- Curity Sweden — Swedish identity and API access platform. OAuth and OpenID Connect infrastructure for organisations where security and control are non-negotiable.
- Hanko Germany — Open-source passkey and passwordless authentication from Kiel, Germany. Made and hosted in Europe, with self-hosting available.
- cidaas Germany — German cloud identity and access management (CIAM) platform — made and hosted in Germany, with dedicated German server locations for regulated sectors.
- Ploq The Netherlands — Ploq is EU-built webhook infrastructure: retries, event filtering, and health monitoring, GDPR-compliant end to end. SDKs for Node.js and Java, a WordPress plugin, and a forkable Mac/Windows app for sending and receiving events.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pocketbase?
Pocketbase is a Go-based open-source backend-as-a-service that ships as a single executable binary — no Docker, no external database, no configuration. It provides an embedded SQLite database, real-time subscriptions, file storage, authentication (email/password, OAuth2, OTP), and an extendable Go API — all in one binary that runs on a €5/month EU VPS. Because it runs as a single binary on your own server, all data stays on your EU infrastructure with no third-party involvement. It is the most popular self-hosted Firebase alternative among EU indie developers and solo founders building side projects and MVPs.
What does Pocketbase do?
Pocketbase is open-source backend in a single file — a european alternative to firebase. It is listed under developer tools and open source on EU Alts because its core functionality serves teams looking for a European developer tools tool with EU data residency, typically as a switch away from GitHub, Atlassian, and JetBrains's US-distributed peers.
Is Pocketbase a good European developer tools alternative?
Pocketbase is a fit for European businesses evaluating developer tools options where data residency and GDPR alignment matter — typical buyers include EU-based SaaS teams, public-sector projects, regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal), and any organisation that needs to demonstrate that customer data does not leave the EU. It also overlaps with open source use cases.
Is Pocketbase GDPR compliant?
Pocketbase is headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria and falls under EU jurisdiction, so it processes user data under the GDPR by default. EU Alts has verified that Pocketbase independently owned, with its ultimate ownership based in Bulgaria, so it is not subject to the US CLOUD Act — meaning US authorities cannot compel Pocketbase to disclose customer data the way they can with GitHub, Atlassian, and JetBrains's US-distributed peers. For European buyers, that often simplifies DPIA paperwork and standard contractual clauses.
How do teams switch from GitHub to Pocketbase?
Most teams move to Pocketbase from GitHub, Atlassian, and JetBrains's US-distributed peers because they want EU data residency without giving up the core developer tools workflow. Pocketbase's Bulgaria base means a single jurisdiction for both the company and (typically) its hosting infrastructure, so you can drop Schrems II transfer impact assessments for this part of your stack. Plan the migration in stages: export your data from the US incumbent, pilot Pocketbase with a small team, then move the rest once the integration coverage you need is confirmed.
Where is Pocketbase based?
Pocketbase is headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. The company was founded in 2022. Its main website is https://pocketbase.io.