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Back4App vs Firebase: What are the differences?
Introduction
In this comparison, we will highlight the key differences between Back4App and Firebase, two popular backend as a service (BaaS) platforms. Both platforms offer a wide range of features and services for developing and managing mobile and web applications.
Scalability and Performance: Back4App offers automatic vertical and horizontal scalability, allowing applications to handle increasing loads without manual intervention. It utilizes a global CDN (Content Delivery Network) for efficient content distribution. On the other hand, Firebase offers a scalable infrastructure powered by Google Cloud Platform, ensuring high performance and reliability for applications of any size.
Real-time Database: Firebase's real-time database is a NoSQL, JSON-based database that enables real-time synchronization and data updates across multiple clients. It uses WebSockets for real-time data synchronization, providing instantaneous updates for collaborative applications, chat systems, etc. In contrast, Back4App offers a more traditional SQL-based database, which may require additional effort to implement real-time features.
Serverless Functions: Firebase provides the Cloud Functions for Firebase feature, allowing developers to write serverless functions that can be triggered by various events within the platform. These functions can be used to implement customized business logic, process data, and integrate with external services. Back4App does not offer a similar serverless function feature, requiring developers to handle backend logic using alternative methods.
Deployment and Hosting: Firebase provides Firebase Hosting, a fast and secure hosting service for web applications. It simplifies the deployment process by providing a single command to deploy web content to a global CDN with SSL support. Back4App does not offer a built-in hosting service, requiring developers to use external hosting providers or manually deploy their applications.
GraphQL Support: Back4App offers built-in support for GraphQL, an alternative to traditional REST APIs. GraphQL allows clients to request only the data they need, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching issues commonly seen in REST APIs. Firebase does not natively support GraphQL, but developers can still implement it using additional libraries or frameworks.
Pricing Structure: Back4App offers a flexible pricing structure, allowing developers to choose between a freemium plan and various paid plans based on usage and additional features. Firebase, on the other hand, has a more tiered pricing structure, with a free plan and several pricing tiers based on usage and additional features.
In Summary, Back4App and Firebase differ in their scalability and performance capabilities, database types, serverless function support, deployment and hosting options, GraphQL support, and pricing structures. These differences should be considered when choosing a backend as a service platform for developing and managing applications.
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 Back4App
- Graphql support3
- Great documentation2
- Fastest and most complete backend as a service2
- Open source backend as a service2
- Easily clone an app2
- CLI tool1
- Support via chat1
- Partner program1
- Free database backup1
- Run cloud code1
- Push notification made easy1
- Data export and import1
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
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Cons of Back4App
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