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Tracks/Backend & Database/Which Backend Should You Use?
Level 3

Which Backend Should You Use?

Airtable vs Xano vs Supabase vs Firebase — the honest comparison.

Lesson Notes

The decision framework: Start with Airtable if you just need to structure data quickly and share it. Use Xano if you're building with a no-code UI (Bubble, FlutterFlow, Webflow) and need real APIs and auth you control. Use Supabase if you're using AI coding tools (Cursor, Lovable, Bolt) or writing any frontend code — it's the most developer-friendly. Use Firebase if you're building a mobile app with FlutterFlow or need Google ecosystem integrations. The golden rule: match your backend to your frontend tool.

Your Challenge

+20 XP

Map out a simple app idea you want to build. Write down: (1) What data does it need to store? (2) Does it need user accounts? (3) Will you use a no-code UI builder or write frontend code? Based on your answers, pick the right backend and write a one-paragraph justification.