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Firebase vs Parse: What are the differences?
Firebase and Parse are both mobile and web app development platforms that provide backend services. While they share similarities, there are several key differences between the two.
Pricing Model: Firebase offers a flexible pricing model, where users can pay based on their usage. In contrast, Parse had a fixed pricing model but is now open source and free to use. Firebase's pricing structure allows for more scalability and cost-effectiveness, especially for smaller projects.
Real-time Database: Firebase is known for its real-time database, which allows for synchronization across multiple devices in real-time. Parse, on the other hand, does not offer a native real-time database feature. This makes Firebase a better choice for applications that require real-time updates and collaborative features.
Push Notifications: Firebase provides a robust and easy-to-use push notification service, Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). Parse also offers push notifications, but Firebase's FCM has more advanced features and provides better overall performance and delivery.
Analytics and Crash Reporting: Firebase includes a comprehensive analytics and crash reporting tool called Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics. Parse does not offer any built-in analytics or crash reporting functionalities. This makes Firebase a preferable choice for developers who prioritize data-driven optimization and bug tracking.
Authentication: Firebase provides a wide range of authentication options, including email/password, Google, Facebook, and Twitter sign-in. Parse offers basic email/password authentication but lacks the plethora of authentication methods available in Firebase. This makes Firebase a better choice for applications that require diverse authentication options.
Offline Support: Firebase's real-time database and Firestore have built-in offline support, allowing the app to function without an internet connection. Parse, on the other hand, does not have native offline support. This makes Firebase more suitable for applications that need to work seamlessly both online and offline.
In summary, Firebase offers a more flexible pricing model, a real-time database, advanced push notification services, extensive analytics and crash reporting tools, diverse authentication options, and built-in offline support compared to Parse.
We are starting to work on a web-based platform aiming to connect artists (clients) and professional freelancers (service providers). In-app, timeline-based, real-time communication between users (& storing it), file transfers, and push notifications are essential core features. We are considering using Node.js, ExpressJS, React, MongoDB stack with Socket.IO & Apollo, or maybe using Real-Time Database and functionalities of Firebase.
I would recommend looking hard into Firebase for this project, especially if you do not have dedicated full-stack or backend members on your team.
The real time database, as you mentioned, is a great option, but I would also look into Firestore. Similar to RTDB, it adds more functions and some cool methods as well. Also, another great thing about Firebase is you have easy access to storage and dead simple auth as well.
Node.js Express MongoDB Socket.IO and Apollo are great technologies as well, and may be the better option if you do not wish to cede as much control to third parties in your application.
Overall, I say if you wish to focus more time developing your React application instead of other parts of your stack, Firebase is a great way to do that.
Hello Noam 👋,
I suggest taking a look at Ably, it has all the realtime features you need and the platform is designed to guarantee critical functionality at scale.
Here is an in depth comparison between Ably and Firebase
Hey Noam,
I would recommend you to take a look into 8base. It has features you've requested, also relation database and GraphQL API which will help you to develop rapidly.
Thanks, Ilya
Pros of Firebase
- Realtime backend made easy371
- Fast and responsive270
- Easy setup242
- Real-time215
- JSON191
- Free134
- Backed by google128
- Angular adaptor83
- Reliable68
- Great customer support36
- Great documentation32
- Real-time synchronization25
- Mobile friendly21
- Rapid prototyping19
- Great security14
- Automatic scaling12
- Freakingly awesome11
- Super fast development8
- Angularfire is an amazing addition!8
- Chat8
- Firebase hosting6
- Built in user auth/oauth6
- Awesome next-gen backend6
- Ios adaptor6
- Speed of light4
- Very easy to use4
- Great3
- It's made development super fast3
- Brilliant for startups3
- Free hosting2
- Cloud functions2
- JS Offline and Sync suport2
- Low battery consumption2
- .net2
- The concurrent updates create a great experience2
- Push notification2
- I can quickly create static web apps with no backend2
- Great all-round functionality2
- Free authentication solution2
- Easy Reactjs integration1
- Google's support1
- Free SSL1
- CDN & cache out of the box1
- Easy to use1
- Large1
- Faster workflow1
- Serverless1
- Good Free Limits1
- Simple and easy1
Pros of Parse
- Easy setup118
- Free hosting78
- Well-documented62
- Cheap52
- Use push notifications in 3 lines of code47
- Fast41
- Cloud code39
- Good for prototypes32
- Cloud modules31
- Backed by facebook27
- Parse Push7
- Cross Platform7
- Parse Analytics6
- Multiplatform6
- Parse Core6
- Quick chat and profile capabilities5
- Free Tier5
- Cloud Based5
- Nice security concept4
- Free4
- About to Die3
- Local Datastore3
- Backend as a service3
- Backbone Models3
- Geopoints3
- Anonymous Users2
- Easy to use2
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Cons of Firebase
- Can become expensive31
- No open source, you depend on external company16
- Scalability is not infinite15
- Not Flexible Enough9
- Cant filter queries7
- Very unstable server3
- No Relational Data3
- Too many errors2
- No offline sync2
Cons of Parse
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