Why Choose Appwrite Over Firebase or Supabase?

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, hosts Rob Ocel, Adam Rackis, and Danny Thompson, examine the technical side of modern web development with guest Dennis Ivy, a developer advocate at Appwrite. The discussion explores HTMX, its approach to extending HTML for dynamic UIs, and how it challenges the dominance of JavaScript-heavy SPAs. They examine where HTMX fits in the web ecosystem, its strengths and limitations, and its potential for enterprise applications. The conversation then shifts to backend-as-a-service platforms, with Dennis breaking down how Appwrite provides authentication, databases, and real-time updates as an open-source alternative to Firebase and Supabase. They discuss performance considerations, architectural trade-offs, and the evolving landscape of server-side development.Keypoints for this Episode- HTMX and Its Role in Web Development – The discussion explores how HTMX extends HTML to enable dynamic UIs without heavy JavaScript frameworks, making it a compelling option for certain applications, particularly for backend developers and server-rendered apps.- Backend-as-a-Service with Appwrite – Dennis Ivy explains how Appwrite offers authentication, databases, and real-time eventing as an open-source alternative to Firebase and Supabase, highlighting its performance advantages and developer-friendly approach.- Trade-offs in Modern Web Architectures – The group discusses the evolution of SPAs, the resurgence of server-side rendering, and how tools like HTMX and backend-as-a-service platforms challenge traditional frontend-heavy workflows.- Performance and Scalability Considerations – The conversation touches on Appwrite's efficient architecture compared to other backend solutions, examining how its lightweight design impacts real-world applications and developer experience.Chapters0:00 - Introduction 0:35 - Welcome to the Modern Web Podcast 1:26 - Dennis Ivy’s Journey into Tech 4:03 - Selling a Project for $40K+ 6:39 - Different Paths into Development 8:49 - Learning Through Building 11:16 - The Importance of Side Projects 14:05 - Introduction to HTMX 16:41 - HTMX for Enterprise and Scalability 19:34 - The HTMX Learning Curve and Adoption 24:41 - Comparing Modern Web Development Approaches 27:12 - Introduction to Appwrite's Features 30:46 - Appwrite vs. Competitors like Firebase and Supabase 33:41 - Appwrite's Performance and Scalability 37:49 - Where to Find Dennis Ivy Online 38:54 - Podcast Wrap-Up and ClosingFollow Dennis Ivy on Social MediaTwitter: https://x.com/dennisivy11Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-ivanov/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.coFollow This Dot Labs on Social MediaThis Dot Media X: https://x.com/ThisDotMediaThis Dot Labs X: https://x.com/ThisDotLabsThis Dot Labs Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thisdotlabs/This Dot Labs BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thisdotlabs.bsky.social