Quick answer
Nhost - Nhost wins for most builders choosing a free tier because it is easier to start with, has no credit card requirement, and gives more practical backend headroom for small projects.
How the free tiers compare
8base and Nhost are both backend platforms, but they optimize for different starting points. 8base’s free tier is more app-builder oriented: GraphQL backend, CLI, frontend app hosting, custom functions, and a small bundle of quotas that still let you ship a real but modest app. The catch is that a credit card is required, and the free plan is tightly capped at 2,500 rows, 0.5 GB storage, 2 GB bandwidth, and 100,000 API calls. Nhost is the cleaner free starting point for builders who want to prototype a backend without payment friction. It offers 1 GB database, 1 GB file storage, 5 GB egress, functions, auth, IaC, and automated deployments, with no card required. Its paid ladder is also simpler at the low end, though the jump to Team is steep.
8base vs Nhost free tier, side by side
| 8baseFTV 45 | NhostFTV 55 | |
|---|---|---|
| Projects / apps8base splits backend and frontend app limits; Nhost frames the limit as one free project. | 1 backend application; 1 frontend application per project | 1 project per organization |
| Database storageNot directly comparable, but Nhost gives more obvious storage headroom for small data sets. | 2,500 rows | 1 GB |
| File storageNhost includes double the file storage on the free tier. | 0.5 GB | 1 GB |
| Bandwidth / egressNhost gives more network allowance before you hit paid usage. | 2 GB/month | 5 GB egress |
| Functions / serverlessNhost is more explicit on function count, while 8base lists compute allowance and custom functions. | Custom functions included; 1 GB-hours of serverless computing | Functions included; up to 10 functions and 1 GB-hours of execution |
| API / realtime8base gives a stated GraphQL call quota; Nhost does not provide a free-tier API-call number in the input. | 100,000 GraphQL API calls/month; 100,000 subscription events/month | Realtime APIs included |
| Auth usersNhost is much looser on authenticated users in the free tier. | Up to 5 client app users | Unlimited users |
| Credit card requiredStateable only because the input explicitly provides this field for both products. | Yes | No |
After you outgrow the free tier
After the free tier, 8base stays relatively approachable at the low end with a flat $25/month Developer plan, then moves to per-seat pricing at Professional and Enterprise. Nhost also starts at $25/month for Pro, but its next meaningful step is Team at $599/month, which is a much bigger jump. For most small teams, 8base is cheaper to scale into if you need only one developer seat; Nhost is cheaper only if the free tier already covers you and you do not need the jump to Team.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | 8base | Nhost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 small solo project beyond free limitsBoth start their paid ladders at the same nominal price. | $25/mo | $25/mo |
| 3 developers needing a paid plan8base Professional is $50 per developer / mo. with a minimum of 3 developers, so 3 seats is $150/mo by the label, but the provided monthly_price_usd is 50 per seat and should be treated as the seat rate; Nhost Team is from $599/mo. Because the input is internally inconsistent on 8base's per-seat labeling, use the listed pricing label for exact billing discussions. | $75/mo est. | $599/mo |
| 10 developers needing enterprise features8base Enterprise is $75 per developer / mo. minimum 10 developers. Nhost Enterprise is custom. | $750/mo est. | Contact sales |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick 8base when…
- You want frontend app hosting included in the same free plan and are fine with a 14-day preview/hosting window.
- You are specifically building around GraphQL and want 100,000 API calls/month in a tiny project.
- You need custom functions, theming, auth, and deployment in one low-code-style backend platform.
- You are okay providing a credit card up front and want to test 8base’s full app-builder workflow.
Pick Nhost when…
- You want to start without entering a credit card.
- You need more storage headroom for a small backend, especially 1 GB database and 1 GB file storage.
- You want automated deployments and infrastructure as code on the free plan.
- You are building a backend-first app and do not need bundled frontend app hosting on day one.
- You want unlimited authenticated users on the free tier for a small project.
Bottom line
For most builders, Nhost is the better free-tier pick because it is easier to try, has no card requirement, and gives more room for a small backend before you pay. 8base is the better fit if you want a more app-builder-shaped free tier with frontend hosting and GraphQL-centric workflows, and you do not mind the credit card requirement. If you expect to stay very small, Nhost is the lower-friction choice. If you want an integrated low-code backend and frontend start, 8base has the tighter package.
Read the full listings: 8base and Nhost. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.