$ cat /posts/supabase-cost-optimization-reduce-database-expenses.md
[tags]Supabase

Supabase Cost Optimization: Reduce Database Expenses

drwxr-xr-x2026-01-275 min0 views
Supabase Cost Optimization: Reduce Database Expenses

Optimizing Supabase costs reduces database expenses through strategic database size management, efficient query optimization, smart storage strategies, connection pooling, and selecting appropriate pricing plans enabling applications to scale affordably while maintaining performance and reliability. Unlike unoptimized deployments consuming excessive resources through inefficient queries, redundant data storage, unbounded table growth, excessive API calls, and oversized infrastructure, cost-optimized applications implement data lifecycle management archiving old records, query optimization reducing execution time and resource usage, storage compression minimizing space requirements, connection pooling reducing overhead, and right-sizing infrastructure matching actual needs. This comprehensive guide covers understanding Supabase pricing tiers and cost factors, monitoring database size and growth patterns, optimizing query performance reducing resource consumption, implementing data retention policies, managing storage costs with compression, optimizing connection usage, choosing the right pricing plan, and implementing cost tracking with alerts. Cost optimization demonstrates financial discipline ensuring applications remain sustainable and profitable throughout their growth journey. Before starting, review database basics, performance optimization, and monitoring practices.

Supabase Pricing Tiers

PlanDatabase SizeBandwidthPrice/Month
Free500 MB5 GB egress$0
Pro8 GB (+ $0.125/GB)250 GB egress$25
Team8 GB (+ $0.125/GB)250 GB egress$599
EnterpriseCustomCustomCustom

Primary Cost Drivers

  • Database Storage: Table data, indexes, and WAL files consuming disk space
  • Bandwidth Usage: Data transfer (egress) from API requests and file downloads
  • Compute Resources: CPU and memory usage from query execution
  • Connections: Number of concurrent database connections maintained
  • Storage Files: Images, videos, and documents in Supabase Storage
  • Real-time Channels: Active real-time subscriptions and message volume

Database Size Management

sqldatabase_size_management.sql
-- Monitor database size
select
  pg_size_pretty(pg_database_size(current_database())) as total_size;

-- View table sizes with indexes
select
  schemaname,
  tablename,
  pg_size_pretty(pg_total_relation_size(schemaname||'.'||tablename)) as total_size,
  pg_size_pretty(pg_relation_size(schemaname||'.'||tablename)) as table_size,
  pg_size_pretty(pg_total_relation_size(schemaname||'.'||tablename) - pg_relation_size(schemaname||'.'||tablename)) as index_size,
  pg_total_relation_size(schemaname||'.'||tablename) as size_bytes
from pg_tables
where schemaname = 'public'
order by size_bytes desc;

-- Identify large text columns
select
  table_name,
  column_name,
  data_type,
  character_maximum_length
from information_schema.columns
where table_schema = 'public'
  and data_type in ('text', 'character varying')
  and character_maximum_length is null  -- Unbounded text
order by table_name, column_name;

-- Implement data retention policy
create table data_retention_policies (
  table_name text primary key,
  retention_days int not null,
  enabled boolean default true,
  last_cleanup timestamp with time zone
);

insert into data_retention_policies (table_name, retention_days) values
  ('logs', 30),
  ('analytics_events', 90),
  ('audit_logs', 365),
  ('sessions', 7);

-- Cleanup function
create or replace function cleanup_old_data()
returns void as $$
declare
  policy record;
  deleted_count int;
begin
  for policy in
    select * from data_retention_policies where enabled = true
  loop
    execute format(
      'delete from %I where created_at < now() - interval ''%s days''',
      policy.table_name,
      policy.retention_days
    );
    
    get diagnostics deleted_count = row_count;
    
    raise notice 'Deleted % rows from %', deleted_count, policy.table_name;
    
    update data_retention_policies
    set last_cleanup = now()
    where table_name = policy.table_name;
  end loop;
end;
$$ language plpgsql;

-- Schedule cleanup (requires pg_cron)
select cron.schedule(
  'cleanup-old-data',
  '0 2 * * *',  -- Run at 2 AM daily
  'select cleanup_old_data();'
);

-- Archive old data instead of deleting
create table archived_logs (
  like logs including all
) partition by range (created_at);

-- Archive function
create or replace function archive_old_logs(days_old int default 90)
returns void as $$
begin
  -- Move old logs to archive
  insert into archived_logs
  select * from logs
  where created_at < now() - (days_old || ' days')::interval;
  
  -- Delete archived logs from main table
  delete from logs
  where created_at < now() - (days_old || ' days')::interval;
end;
$$ language plpgsql;

-- Compress text data using PostgreSQL compression
alter table logs alter column message set storage external;  -- Don't compress
alter table logs alter column message set storage extended;  -- Compress (TOAST)
alter table logs alter column message set storage main;      -- Inline storage

-- Use appropriate data types
-- BEFORE: text column for status (wastes space)
alter table orders alter column status type text;

-- AFTER: enum or varchar with constraint (saves space)
create type order_status as enum ('pending', 'processing', 'shipped', 'delivered', 'cancelled');
alter table orders alter column status type order_status using status::order_status;

-- Or use varchar with constraint
alter table orders alter column status type varchar(20);
alter table orders add constraint check_status 
  check (status in ('pending', 'processing', 'shipped', 'delivered', 'cancelled'));

Query Cost Optimization

sqlquery_optimization.sql
-- Identify expensive queries
select
  substring(query, 1, 100) as query,
  calls,
  total_exec_time,
  mean_exec_time,
  (total_exec_time / sum(total_exec_time) over ()) * 100 as pct_total_time
from pg_stat_statements
order by total_exec_time desc
limit 20;

-- Optimize with proper indexes (review existing)
select
  schemaname,
  tablename,
  indexname,
  idx_scan,
  pg_size_pretty(pg_relation_size(indexrelid)) as index_size
from pg_stat_user_indexes
order by pg_relation_size(indexrelid) desc;

-- Find missing indexes (high seq_scan, low idx_scan)
select
  schemaname,
  tablename,
  seq_scan,
  seq_tup_read,
  idx_scan,
  seq_tup_read / seq_scan as avg_seq_read
from pg_stat_user_tables
where seq_scan > 0
order by seq_tup_read desc
limit 20;

-- Optimize query patterns
-- BEFORE: N+1 query problem
const { data: posts } = await supabase.from('posts').select('*')
for (const post of posts) {
  const { data: author } = await supabase
    .from('users')
    .select('*')
    .eq('id', post.author_id)
    .single()
}

-- AFTER: Join query (1 query instead of N+1)
const { data: posts } = await supabase
  .from('posts')
  .select(`
    *,
    author:users(
      id,
      name,
      avatar_url
    )
  `)

-- Use selective column queries
-- BEFORE: Fetches all columns (wastes bandwidth)
const { data } = await supabase.from('users').select('*')

-- AFTER: Only fetch needed columns
const { data } = await supabase
  .from('users')
  .select('id, name, email')

-- Implement pagination (reduce data transfer)
const PAGE_SIZE = 20
const { data, count } = await supabase
  .from('posts')
  .select('*', { count: 'exact' })
  .range(page * PAGE_SIZE, (page + 1) * PAGE_SIZE - 1)

-- Use COUNT optimization
-- BEFORE: Full table scan
select count(*) from large_table;

-- AFTER: Estimated count (faster)
select reltuples::bigint as estimate
from pg_class
where relname = 'large_table';

-- Batch operations
-- BEFORE: Multiple inserts
for (const user of users) {
  await supabase.from('users').insert(user)
}

-- AFTER: Single batch insert
await supabase.from('users').insert(users)

-- Use materialized views for expensive aggregations
create materialized view user_stats as
select
  user_id,
  count(*) as post_count,
  sum(views) as total_views,
  avg(rating) as avg_rating
from posts
group by user_id;

create unique index idx_user_stats_user on user_stats(user_id);

-- Refresh materialized view periodically
refresh materialized view concurrently user_stats;

-- Schedule refresh
select cron.schedule(
  'refresh-user-stats',
  '0 * * * *',  -- Every hour
  'refresh materialized view concurrently user_stats;'
);

Storage Cost Management

sqlstorage_optimization.sql
-- Monitor storage usage
select
  bucket_id,
  count(*) as file_count,
  pg_size_pretty(sum((metadata->>'size')::bigint)) as total_size
from storage.objects
group by bucket_id
order by sum((metadata->>'size')::bigint) desc;

-- Identify large files
select
  name,
  bucket_id,
  pg_size_pretty((metadata->>'size')::bigint) as file_size,
  created_at
from storage.objects
order by (metadata->>'size')::bigint desc
limit 20;

-- Implement file size limits
create or replace function check_file_size()
returns trigger as $$
begin
  if (new.metadata->>'size')::bigint > 5242880 then  -- 5MB
    raise exception 'File size exceeds 5MB limit';
  end if;
  return new;
end;
$$ language plpgsql;

create trigger enforce_file_size
  before insert on storage.objects
  for each row
  execute function check_file_size();

// Image optimization before upload
import sharp from 'sharp'

export async function optimizeImage(file: File): Promise<Blob> {
  const buffer = await file.arrayBuffer()
  
  const optimized = await sharp(Buffer.from(buffer))
    .resize(1920, 1080, {
      fit: 'inside',
      withoutEnlargement: true,
    })
    .webp({ quality: 80 })  // WebP format saves space
    .toBuffer()
  
  return new Blob([optimized], { type: 'image/webp' })
}

// Usage
const optimized = await optimizeImage(file)
await supabase.storage
  .from('images')
  .upload(`public/${fileName}.webp`, optimized)

// Implement CDN caching
const imageUrl = supabase.storage
  .from('images')
  .getPublicUrl('avatar.jpg', {
    transform: {
      width: 400,
      height: 400,
      quality: 80,
    }
  })

-- Clean up unused storage files
create or replace function cleanup_orphaned_files()
returns void as $$
declare
  file_record record;
  deleted_count int := 0;
begin
  -- Find storage references that no longer have database records
  for file_record in
    select o.name, o.bucket_id
    from storage.objects o
    left join users u on u.avatar_url = o.name
    left join posts p on p.image_url = o.name
    where u.id is null and p.id is null
      and o.created_at < now() - interval '30 days'
  loop
    -- Delete orphaned file
    delete from storage.objects
    where name = file_record.name
      and bucket_id = file_record.bucket_id;
    
    deleted_count := deleted_count + 1;
  end loop;
  
  raise notice 'Deleted % orphaned files', deleted_count;
end;
$$ language plpgsql;

-- Storage retention policy
create table storage_retention_policies (
  bucket_id text primary key,
  retention_days int not null,
  enabled boolean default true
);

insert into storage_retention_policies (bucket_id, retention_days) values
  ('temp', 1),
  ('uploads', 30),
  ('backups', 90);

-- Cleanup based on retention policy
create or replace function cleanup_old_storage()
returns void as $$
declare
  policy record;
begin
  for policy in
    select * from storage_retention_policies where enabled = true
  loop
    delete from storage.objects
    where bucket_id = policy.bucket_id
      and created_at < now() - (policy.retention_days || ' days')::interval;
  end loop;
end;
$$ language plpgsql;

Connection Pool Optimization

typescriptconnection_pooling.ts
// Implement connection pooling
// lib/supabase/pool.ts
import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'

let supabaseInstance: ReturnType<typeof createClient> | null = null

export function getSupabaseClient() {
  // Reuse single instance (connection pooling)
  if (!supabaseInstance) {
    supabaseInstance = createClient(
      process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
      process.env.SUPABASE_SERVICE_ROLE_KEY!,
      {
        db: {
          schema: 'public',
        },
        auth: {
          persistSession: false,  // Don't persist in server
          autoRefreshToken: false,
        },
        global: {
          headers: {
            'x-connection-pool': 'enabled',
          },
        },
      }
    )
  }
  return supabaseInstance
}

// Monitor connection usage
select
  count(*) as total_connections,
  count(*) filter (where state = 'active') as active_connections,
  count(*) filter (where state = 'idle') as idle_connections,
  max_connections.setting::int as max_connections,
  round(100.0 * count(*) / max_connections.setting::int, 2) as pct_used
from pg_stat_activity,
  (select setting from pg_settings where name = 'max_connections') max_connections
group by max_connections.setting;

-- Identify connection leaks
select
  datname,
  usename,
  application_name,
  state,
  count(*),
  max(state_change) as last_state_change
from pg_stat_activity
where state != 'active'
group by datname, usename, application_name, state
having count(*) > 5
order by count(*) desc;

// Use Supabase connection pooler
// Connection string with pooler
const DATABASE_URL = 'postgresql://postgres:[password]@aws-0-us-east-1.pooler.supabase.com:6543/postgres'

// Configure pool size
import { Pool } from 'pg'

const pool = new Pool({
  connectionString: DATABASE_URL,
  max: 20,  // Max connections in pool
  min: 2,   // Min connections maintained
  idleTimeoutMillis: 30000,
  connectionTimeoutMillis: 10000,
})

// Close idle connections
pool.on('remove', () => {
  console.log('Connection removed from pool')
})

// Implement connection timeout
const client = await pool.connect()
try {
  await client.query('SET statement_timeout = 30000')  // 30s timeout
  const result = await client.query('SELECT * FROM users')
  return result.rows
} finally {
  client.release()  // Always release connection
}

Cost Tracking and Alerts

sqlcost_monitoring.sql
-- Create cost tracking table
create table cost_metrics (
  id uuid default gen_random_uuid() primary key,
  metric_date date default current_date,
  database_size_bytes bigint,
  storage_size_bytes bigint,
  api_requests bigint,
  bandwidth_bytes bigint,
  connection_count int,
  estimated_cost numeric(10,2),
  created_at timestamp with time zone default now()
);

create unique index idx_cost_metrics_date on cost_metrics(metric_date);

-- Function to calculate daily costs
create or replace function calculate_daily_cost()
returns void as $$
declare
  db_size bigint;
  storage_size bigint;
  api_count bigint;
  bandwidth bigint;
  connections int;
  estimated_cost numeric(10,2);
begin
  -- Get database size
  select pg_database_size(current_database()) into db_size;
  
  -- Get storage size
  select sum((metadata->>'size')::bigint)
  into storage_size
  from storage.objects;
  
  -- Get API request count (from metrics table)
  select count(*)
  into api_count
  from api_metrics
  where timestamp >= current_date;
  
  -- Calculate estimated cost
  -- Database: $0.125 per GB over 8GB (Pro plan)
  estimated_cost := greatest(0, (db_size / 1073741824.0 - 8) * 0.125);
  
  -- Storage: Add storage costs if applicable
  estimated_cost := estimated_cost + (storage_size / 1073741824.0 * 0.021);
  
  -- Get current connections
  select count(*) into connections from pg_stat_activity;
  
  -- Store metrics
  insert into cost_metrics (
    metric_date,
    database_size_bytes,
    storage_size_bytes,
    api_requests,
    bandwidth_bytes,
    connection_count,
    estimated_cost
  ) values (
    current_date,
    db_size,
    storage_size,
    api_count,
    0,  -- Bandwidth tracking would need additional setup
    connections,
    estimated_cost
  )
  on conflict (metric_date)
  do update set
    database_size_bytes = excluded.database_size_bytes,
    storage_size_bytes = excluded.storage_size_bytes,
    api_requests = excluded.api_requests,
    connection_count = excluded.connection_count,
    estimated_cost = excluded.estimated_cost;
end;
$$ language plpgsql;

-- Schedule daily cost calculation
select cron.schedule(
  'calculate-daily-cost',
  '0 0 * * *',  -- Run at midnight
  'select calculate_daily_cost();'
);

-- Cost trend analysis
select
  metric_date,
  pg_size_pretty(database_size_bytes) as db_size,
  pg_size_pretty(storage_size_bytes) as storage_size,
  api_requests,
  estimated_cost,
  estimated_cost - lag(estimated_cost) over (order by metric_date) as cost_change
from cost_metrics
order by metric_date desc
limit 30;

-- Alert function for cost spikes
create or replace function check_cost_alert()
returns void as $$
declare
  current_cost numeric;
  avg_cost numeric;
  threshold numeric := 1.5;  -- 50% increase threshold
begin
  select estimated_cost into current_cost
  from cost_metrics
  where metric_date = current_date;
  
  select avg(estimated_cost) into avg_cost
  from cost_metrics
  where metric_date > current_date - interval '7 days'
    and metric_date < current_date;
  
  if current_cost > (avg_cost * threshold) then
    -- Send alert (webhook or notification)
    perform net.http_post(
      url := current_setting('app.webhook_url'),
      body := jsonb_build_object(
        'alert', 'cost_spike',
        'current_cost', current_cost,
        'average_cost', avg_cost,
        'increase_pct', round((current_cost / avg_cost - 1) * 100, 2)
      )
    );
  end if;
end;
$$ language plpgsql;

// Dashboard component
import { useEffect, useState } from 'react'
import { createClient } from '@/lib/supabase/client'

export function CostDashboard() {
  const [metrics, setMetrics] = useState([])
  const supabase = createClient()

  useEffect(() => {
    loadCostMetrics()
  }, [])

  async function loadCostMetrics() {
    const { data } = await supabase
      .from('cost_metrics')
      .select('*')
      .order('metric_date', { ascending: false })
      .limit(30)

    if (data) setMetrics(data)
  }

  return (
    <div className="space-y-6">
      <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold">Cost Overview</h2>
      
      <div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-4">
        {metrics[0] && (
          <>
            <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
              <h3 className="text-sm text-gray-500">Database Size</h3>
              <p className="text-2xl font-bold">
                {(metrics[0].database_size_bytes / 1073741824).toFixed(2)} GB
              </p>
            </div>
            
            <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
              <h3 className="text-sm text-gray-500">Storage Size</h3>
              <p className="text-2xl font-bold">
                {(metrics[0].storage_size_bytes / 1073741824).toFixed(2)} GB
              </p>
            </div>
            
            <div className="bg-white p-6 rounded-lg shadow">
              <h3 className="text-sm text-gray-500">Estimated Cost</h3>
              <p className="text-2xl font-bold">
                ${metrics[0].estimated_cost}
              </p>
            </div>
          </>
        )}
      </div>
    </div>
  )
}

Cost Optimization Best Practices

  • Monitor Database Size: Track growth patterns implementing retention policies archiving old data
  • Optimize Queries: Use indexes, avoid N+1 queries, fetch only needed columns
  • Implement Pagination: Limit data transfer with proper pagination reducing bandwidth
  • Compress Images: Optimize images before upload using WebP format reducing storage
  • Use Connection Pooling: Reuse connections reducing overhead and costs
  • Clean Up Orphaned Files: Remove unused storage files with scheduled cleanup
  • Choose Right Plan: Select pricing tier matching actual usage avoiding overpayment
  • Cache Frequently Accessed Data: Implement caching reducing database queries
  • Use Materialized Views: Pre-compute expensive aggregations reducing query costs
  • Track Costs Daily: Monitor spending patterns with alerts for unexpected increases
Pro Tip: Review cost metrics weekly identifying optimization opportunities. Implement data lifecycle management archiving old records. Use appropriate data types saving storage space. Enable query monitoring identifying expensive operations. Review database indexes and performance optimization.

Common Cost Issues

  • Database Growing Too Fast: Implement retention policies, archive old data, use appropriate data types
  • High Bandwidth Usage: Implement pagination, optimize image sizes, use CDN caching
  • Too Many Connections: Use connection pooling, implement proper connection lifecycle management
  • Storage Costs Rising: Clean up orphaned files, compress images, implement retention policies

Conclusion

Optimizing Supabase costs reduces database expenses through strategic database size management, efficient query optimization, smart storage strategies, connection pooling, and appropriate pricing plan selection enabling sustainable application growth. By understanding pricing tiers and cost factors including database storage, bandwidth usage, compute resources, and connection counts, monitoring database size with growth pattern analysis, optimizing query performance reducing resource consumption, implementing data retention policies archiving old records, managing storage costs with image compression and cleanup, optimizing connection usage through pooling, choosing the right pricing plan matching actual needs, and implementing cost tracking with alerts detecting spikes, you build cost-efficient applications scaling affordably. Cost optimization advantages include reduced monthly expenses improving profitability, sustainable growth maintaining margins, efficient resource usage maximizing value, proactive monitoring preventing surprises, and informed decisions through metrics. Always monitor database size tracking growth, optimize queries using indexes and efficient patterns, implement pagination limiting data transfer, compress images before upload, use connection pooling reducing overhead, clean up orphaned files preventing waste, choose appropriate pricing tier, cache frequently accessed data, use materialized views for expensive operations, and track costs daily with alerts. Cost optimization demonstrates financial discipline ensuring applications remain profitable throughout their growth journey. Continue exploring deployment practices and monitoring strategies.

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