Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
Apollo vs Firebase: What are the differences?
# Introduction
Key differences between Apollo and Firebase:
1. **Real-time Database vs. GraphQL**: Firebase uses a real-time database which is optimized for syncing data in real-time, while Apollo uses GraphQL for efficient querying and updating of data.
2. **Hosted vs. Open-Source**: Firebase is a hosted platform that provides infrastructure and services as a service, while Apollo is an open-source platform that can be hosted on any server.
3. **Backend Infrastructure**: Firebase provides a complete backend infrastructure including authentication, hosting, and cloud functions, whereas Apollo focuses primarily on the data layer with its GraphQL capabilities.
4. **Data Structure**: Firebase follows a NoSQL data structure, making it flexible for rapid development, while Apollo with GraphQL offers a more structured approach to data fetching and manipulation.
5. **Lock-in Concerns**: Firebase may lead to vendor lock-in due to its proprietary nature, whereas Apollo's open-source nature allows for more flexibility and control over the technology stack.
6. **Scalability**: Firebase is known for its scalability and out-of-the-box support for large applications, while Apollo may require more manual optimization for high traffic volumes.
In Summary, Apollo and Firebase differ in their approach to real-time data management, backend infrastructure, data structure, vendor lock-in concerns, and scalability.
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
We wanted to save as much time as possible when writing our back-end, therefore Apollo was out of the question, we went for an auto-generated API instead. Hasura looked good in the beginning, but we wanted to retain the ability to add a few manual resolvers and modifications to auto-generated ones, which ruled out Hasura. Postgraphile with its Plug-In architecture was the right choice for us, we never regretted it!
Pros of Apollo
- From the creators of Meteor12
- Great documentation8
- Open source3
- Real time if use subscription2
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
Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions
Cons of Apollo
- File upload is not supported1
- Increase in complexity of implementing (subscription)1
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