Is Supabase Custom Domain Worth $10/mo? (Why You Probably Need It)
If you use Supabase, you've seen the Custom Domain add-on. It costs $10 per month.
"Ten dollars every month just to change a URL?" If that's what you're thinking, you're missing the bigger picture. This feature is not just about vanity URLs.
In fact, enabling a Custom Domain is almost mandatory for ensuring stable user sessions and email deliverability. Here are the three critical reasons why.
1. Solving Login Issues (Intelligent Tracking Prevention)
Browser security is getting stricter every year. Apple's Safari (ITP) and Google Chrome are aggressively blocking Third-party Cookies.
Here is what happens without a Custom Domain:
- Your App:
myservice.com - Supabase Auth:
dkjhfskjdf.supabase.co
Because the domains are different, browsers treat the authentication cookie from Supabase as a "Third-party tracking cookie" and block it. The Result: Users log in, but find themselves logged out a few days later, or immediately after restarting their browser.
With a Custom Domain:
- Your App:
myservice.com - Supabase Auth:
auth.myservice.com(Subdomain)
Now, browsers recognize both as belonging to the "First-party". The cookies are accepted, and user sessions remain stable for as long as you intend.
2. Preventing Your Emails from Going to Spam
Think about your "Reset Password" or "Magic Link" emails.
- Before: The sender is
noreply@myservice.com, but the link inside points tosupabase.co. - Email Servers: "Wait, the sender and the link destination don't match. This looks like Phishing." -> Sent to Spam Folder.
When you use a Custom Domain, the links in your emails also change to auth.myservice.com. Since the sender and the link domain match, email providers like Gmail and Outlook trust your emails more, significantly improving your deliverability rates.
3. Professional Branding and Trust
When a user clicks "Log in," they are redirected to the auth server.
If they see a URL like https://dkjhfskjdf.supabase.co/..., it looks suspicious. Security-conscious users might hesitate, thinking it's a phishing site.
Seeing https://auth.myservice.com/... reassures the user that they are still within your secure infrastructure. It signals professionalism and safety.
Conclusion: It's Worth Every Penny
If it were just for a pretty URL, $10 might be steep. But as a price for preventing user logouts and keeping your emails out of the spam folder, it is a bargain.
If you are running a production service, the Supabase Custom Domain is one of the best ROI investments you can make.
At SiteSnapshot, we believe in building robust services that don't fail due to technical nuances. Upgrade your domain settings today and secure your user experience!
