Launch Intel
Vb

Vbare – a simple alternative to Protobuf for schema evolution

Hacker News

Vbare – a simple alternative to Protobuf for schema evolution

Hey HN – we’re sharing a tiny extension to BARE called VBARE that we’ve been using extensively to make schema evolution much cleaner & simpler. After our Protobuf schemas became a cluttered after numerous major changes, we evaluated many alternatives for better schema evolution - Cap'n Proto, FlatBuffers, Borsh, etc. - but none seemed that they’d make a noticable improvement. VBARE takes a different approach: it's a tiny extension to BARE that adds version headers and explicit migration functions between schema versions. This allows you to handle complex changes (like splitting a "name" field into "firstName"/"lastName") that are impossible with other tools, and your application logic stays clean. It's been powering all of Rivet's protocols in production, with TypeScript and Rust implementations available.

Visit productView on Hacker NewsSep 23, 2025
Share card

Actual performance

2points
Did not reach leaderboard

Launch Intel predictions

Analyze your own launch →
Product HuntOn track for Day 1 leaderboard · Strong signals: tiny, using · Missing: mac, agents, macos
73%73% predicted probability of success on Product Hunt, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
best fitHighest predicted score across all platforms for this description.
Hacker NewsStrong engagement from HN community · Strong signals: lua, io · Missing: https docs, excited, just released
53%53% predicted probability of success on Hacker News, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
nativeThis product was originally launched on this platform.
AppSumoStrong fit for a featured deal · Missing: plus, platform, intuitive
50%50% predicted probability of success on AppSumo, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
TrustMRRLess likely to generate early MRR · Missing: mobile apps, ios, personal
39%39% predicted probability of success on TrustMRR, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
Indie HackersIH features products with proven revenue · Missing: supports, reddit linkedin, podcasting
28%28% predicted probability of success on Indie Hackers, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
Acquire.comPre-revenue stage for this audience · Missing: arr, mrr, revenue
16%16% predicted probability of success on Acquire.com, based on ML models trained on real launch data.
BetaListMay not resonate with beta-testers · Missing: web3, chat, crypto
1%1% predicted probability of success on BetaList, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Incorrect prediction on native model

Similar products

Gr
GraphQL simple schema stitching with pseudofragments69%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

GraphQL simple schema stitching with pseudofragments

Hacker News2
A
A Schema-First, Post Only Alternative to Restful API49%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

A Schema-First, Post Only Alternative to Restful API

Hacker News1
Sq
Squire. A simple alternative to Plex55%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Squire. A simple alternative to Plex

Hacker News1
Si
Simple captcha alternative55%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Simple captcha alternative

Hacker News2
A
A Simple Imgur Alternative64%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

A Simple Imgur Alternative

Hacker News5
Si
Simple Alternative to AirTags55%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Simple Alternative to AirTags

Hacker News1
A
A Simple Alternative to Postman65%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

A Simple Alternative to Postman

Hacker News2
SignHouse
SignHouse50%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

DocuSign alternative. eSignatures made simple.

Indie Hackers2$1/mosales
Pe
Percona Migrator – online MySQL schema migrations in Rails34%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Percona Migrator – online MySQL schema migrations in Rails

Hacker News11
GD
GDSerialize: Godot 4 schema-based serializer51%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

GDSerialize: Godot 4 schema-based serializer

Hacker News1
Browse all productsAnalyze your launch