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Pocketbase

✓ Verified by EU Alts

Open-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. As an EU-headquartered provider, Pocketbase likely operates under GDPR. EU Alts has not independently confirmed its exposure to the US CLOUD Act — the ownership and hosting facts recorded for it do not establish that it is outside the Act's reach — see the Details section below for what's known so far.

Why European teams pick Pocketbase

Teams in Europe consider Pocketbase when they want a developer tools provider that bills in EUR, operating since 2022. Its EU headquarters is a good sign compared with GitHub, Atlassian, and JetBrains's US-distributed peers, but EU Alts has not independently verified Pocketbase's exposure to the US CLOUD Act — check the Details section for the recorded facts.

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 independently verified
Verified
2026-07-31
Last checked
2026-07-31
Company size
1–10 employees

Also from Bulgaria

1 other listed company is based in Bulgaria. In the same categories as Pocketbase:

Other EU startups like Pocketbase

  • NocoDB ✓ Verified by EU AltsGermany — Open-source Airtable alternative that turns databases into smart spreadsheets.
  • Budibase ✓ Verified by EU AltsUnited Kingdom — Open-source low-code platform for building internal tools — a UK alternative to Retool.
  • Unchained Engine ✓ Verified by EU AltsSwitzerland — Open-source headless e-commerce framework for Node.js, self-hostable and Swiss-made.
  • Codeberg ✓ Verified by EU AltsGermany — Non-profit, community-run Git hosting powered by Forgejo — a European alternative to GitHub.
  • GitLab ✓ Verified by EU AltsNetherlands — Complete DevSecOps platform with Git hosting, CI/CD and security — a European alternative to GitHub.
  • Portainer ✓ Verified by EU AltsNew Zealand — Container management UI for Docker and Kubernetes — a New Zealand/European alternative to Rancher.

Frequently asked questions

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 GDPR compliant?

Pocketbase is headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria and falls under EU jurisdiction, so it likely processes user data under the GDPR by default. EU Alts has not independently verified Pocketbase's exposure to the US CLOUD Act, so we can't confirm it either way.

How do teams switch from GitHub to Pocketbase?

Teams considering a move from GitHub, Atlassian, and JetBrains's US-distributed peers to Pocketbase are usually drawn by its developer tools workflow fit. EU Alts has not independently verified Pocketbase's exposure to the US CLOUD Act, so treat any CLOUD Act or Schrems II conclusions as provisional. Plan a migration in stages regardless: export your data from the US incumbent, pilot Pocketbase with a small team, then move the rest once integration coverage 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.