n8n + Appwrite: An Open-Source Firebase Alternative for Self-Hosting

We’ve already explored Supabase and Firebase — now it’s time to look at Appwrite, a powerful and fully open-source BaaS platform designed for self-hosting and complete data control.

If you want to build a backend on your own infrastructure, Appwrite can be the perfect partner in combination with n8n.

What Is Appwrite?

Appwrite is a full-featured Backend as a Service (BaaS) platform with open-source code. It provides REST APIs for most features a modern application needs:

• Databases — collections and documents (PostgreSQL-based).
• Storage — file storage with access control.
• Authentication — built-in auth and user management.
• Functions — serverless functions triggered by events or schedules.
• Realtime — subscriptions to changes in databases, users, and storage.

Pros of Appwrite

• ✅ Open source (BSD 3-Clause): full control, self-hosting, and freedom.
• 🔄 Unified API: REST interfaces for everything (DB, Auth, Files, Users).
• 🧠 PostgreSQL under the hood: reliability and extensibility.
• ⚙️ Serverless functions: custom logic without external backend.
• 🎛 User-friendly web UI: clean and intuitive admin console.
• 👥 Active community: rapid updates, support, and good docs.

Cons of Appwrite

• 🍼 Young project: the ecosystem is still maturing.
• 🐳 Requires Docker: deployment is tightly coupled with containers.
• 🛠 Needs own infrastructure: VPS, config, updates.
• 🔧 No native node in n8n: use HTTP Request node instead.

Integrating Appwrite with n8n

How to connect Appwrite to n8n:

1. Deploy Appwrite (via Docker or Docker Compose).
2. Create a project in the Appwrite Admin Console.
3. Create an API Key (with proper permissions).
4. Configure an HTTP request in n8n:

Sample HTTP Request setup:

• Method: POST, GET, PUT, DELETE
• URL: https://your-appwrite/v1/databases/{dbId}/collections/{collectionId}/documents
• Headers:
  • X-Appwrite-Project: your project ID
  • X-Appwrite-Key: your API key
  • Content-Type: application/json
• Body: JSON with the desired data

Automation Examples

1. 📎 Handling Uploaded Files

User uploads file → Function triggers → sends a webhook to n8n → notification in Slack.

2. 👥 Syncing Clients from CRM

n8n receives a new client event → sends POST request to Appwrite to create a document in the customers collection.

3. 👶 Welcome Email to New User

Appwrite Function captures users.create → sends POST to n8n → n8n sends email via SMTP/SendGrid, etc.

Unique Appwrite Features

Conclusion

Appwrite is a strong Firebase alternative — especially if you value open-source, self-hosting, and flexible automation with n8n. While HTTP request setup is manual, integration remains accessible and extensible, and Appwrite’s API is among the most consistent and developer-friendly in the BaaS ecosystem.

In the next (and final) article in this series, we’ll explore Xano — a no-code, API-first platform ideal for business logic and advanced automation.