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  1. Stackups
  2. Application & Data
  3. Platform as a Service
  4. Realtime Backend API
  5. Firebase vs fastlane

Firebase vs fastlane

OverviewDecisionsComparisonAlternatives

Overview

Firebase
Firebase
Stacks42.5K
Followers36.0K
Votes2.0K
fastlane
fastlane
Stacks716
Followers437
Votes74
GitHub Stars40.6K
Forks6.0K

Firebase vs fastlane: What are the differences?

Introduction

Firebase and fastlane are both popular tools used in mobile app development, but they serve different purposes and have distinct features. Understanding their key differences helps developers decide which tool is appropriate for their specific needs. Below are six key differences between Firebase and fastlane.

  1. Backend-as-a-Service vs. Continuous integration tool: Firebase is a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform provided by Google that offers a suite of cloud-based services to handle various app development tasks. It provides functionalities like real-time database, authentication, hosting, push notifications, and more. On the other hand, fastlane is a continuous integration (CI) tool primarily used for automating app deployment, release management, and app store publishing processes. It streamlines the build, test, and delivery phases of app development.

  2. Scalable Infrastructure vs. App Automation Tools: Firebase provides a scalable cloud infrastructure where app developers can store and retrieve data, perform serverless functions, and handle user authentication seamlessly. It abstracts much of the infrastructure management overhead and allows developers to focus on app development. In contrast, fastlane focuses on automating the repetitive tasks involved in app development, such as creating screenshots, distributing beta builds, managing code signing certificates, and publishing apps to app stores.

  3. Real-time Database vs. Mobile DevOps: Firebase offers a real-time database feature that allows developers to synchronize and update data in real-time across multiple clients. It is a NoSQL database with real-time synchronization capabilities. In contrast, fastlane empowers developers with an efficient DevOps workflow for mobile app development. It facilitates tasks such as automated testing, continuous deployment, and other CI/CD operations. Fastlane integrates with popular CI systems like Jenkins, Travis CI, and Bitrise.

  4. Authentication and Identity Management vs. Streamlined Release Management: Firebase provides built-in authentication services that allow developers to easily manage user sign-ups, sign-ins, and user identity verification. It offers various authentication methods like email/password, social media logins, and customizable multi-factor authentication. Fastlane, on the other hand, focuses on streamlining the release management process. It provides tools to handle code signing certificates, automate beta testing, generate release notes, and manage app metadata.

  5. Rich Analytics vs. Code Signing and Distribution: Firebase includes a powerful analytics feature that provides valuable insights into app usage and user behavior. It enables app developers to track user engagement, measure app performance, and optimize user experiences. Fastlane, in comparison, specializes in code signing and distribution. It simplifies app code signing workflows, generates and manages provisioning profiles, and automates beta distribution to internal and external stakeholders.

  6. AdMob Integration vs. App Store Metadata Management: Firebase integrates seamlessly with AdMob, Google's mobile advertising network, allowing developers to monetize their apps through targeted ads. Firebase provides tools to integrate ads into Android and iOS apps, track ad performance, and maximize ad revenue. On the other hand, fastlane assists in managing app store metadata effectively. It automates the generation and management of screenshots, app descriptions, release notes, and other app store assets.

In summary, Firebase is a Backend-as-a-Service platform providing a scalable infrastructure, real-time database, authentication, analytics, and AdMob integration, while fastlane is a continuous integration tool focused on automating app deployment, release management, code signing, app store publishing, and efficient mobile DevOps workflows.

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Advice on Firebase, fastlane

Jared
Jared

Contractor at Insight Global

Aug 9, 2019

ReviewonFirebaseFirebase

I started using Firebase over 5 years ago because of the 'real-time' nature. I originally used to use Real Time Database, but now I use Cloud Firestore. I recommend using the Google Firebase PaaS to quickly develop or prototype small to enterprise level web/mobile applications. Since Google purchased Firebase, it has exploded and it growing rapidly. I also find some level of comfort that it is Backed by Google.

272k views272k
Comments
Noam
Noam

Jul 16, 2020

Needs adviceonNode.jsNode.jsExpressJSExpressJSReactReact

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.

1.15M views1.15M
Comments

Detailed Comparison

Firebase
Firebase
fastlane
fastlane

Firebase is a cloud service designed to power real-time, collaborative applications. Simply add the Firebase library to your application to gain access to a shared data structure; any changes you make to that data are automatically synchronized with the Firebase cloud and with other clients within milliseconds.

fastlane lets you define and run your deployment pipelines for different environments. It helps you unify your app’s release process and automate the whole process. fastlane connects all fastlane tools and third party tools, like CocoaPods.

Add the Firebase library to your app and get access to a shared data structure. Any changes made to that data are automatically synchronized with the Firebase cloud and with other clients within milliseconds.;Firebase apps can be written entirely with client-side code, update in real-time out-of-the-box, interoperate well with existing services, scale automatically, and provide strong data security.;Data Accessibility- Data is stored as JSON in Firebase. Every piece of data has its own URL which can be used in Firebase's client libraries and as a REST endpoint. These URLs can also be entered into a browser to view the data and watch it update in real-time.;Real-time Synchronization- Firebase takes a new approach to the way data is moved around an app. Rather than using a traditional request & response model, it works by synchronizing data between devices. Whenever your data changes, all clients are immediately notified within milliseconds. The synchronized data is also persisted, allowing new clients to be immediately updated.;First-class Data Security- Traditional applications intermix security code with application code, whereas Firebase treats security as a first-class feature. You define your security policies in one place using a flexible rules language, and Firebase ensures that they are consistently enforced across all parts of your application. Having all your security logic in one place allows for easy auditing and helps you avoid security mistakes. The safety and security of your data is our top priority.;Automatic Scaling- The Firebase API is built from the ground up for performance and scale. Whenever your data changes, Firebase calculates the minimum set of updates required to keep all your clients in sync. In addition, all Firebase API functions are designed to scale linearly with the size of the data being synchronized. More importantly, Firebase handles all of the scaling and operations for you. Your app will scale from its first user to its first million without any code changes.;Servers are Optional- Firebase can provide all of the data storage, control, and transmission needs of most apps. In many cases, Firebase can completely replace your server and server-side code. This means you no longer need to build complicated backend software and can instead focus on your application logic and your customers.
Connect all build tools together;Define multiple lanes for different needs;Jenkins Integration;Extend by adding your own build steps;Deploy from any computer;Release new app updates with the push of a button
Statistics
GitHub Stars
-
GitHub Stars
40.6K
GitHub Forks
-
GitHub Forks
6.0K
Stacks
42.5K
Stacks
716
Followers
36.0K
Followers
437
Votes
2.0K
Votes
74
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 371
    Realtime backend made easy
  • 270
    Fast and responsive
  • 242
    Easy setup
  • 215
    Real-time
  • 191
    JSON
Cons
  • 31
    Can become expensive
  • 16
    No open source, you depend on external company
  • 15
    Scalability is not infinite
  • 9
    Not Flexible Enough
  • 7
    Cant filter queries
Pros
  • 20
    Easy to use
  • 13
    Open Source
  • 13
    Itunes connect deployment
  • 11
    Incredible flexability
  • 9
    Third party integrations
Integrations
Trigger.io
Trigger.io
Famo.us
Famo.us
Backbone.js
Backbone.js
Ember.js
Ember.js
AngularJS
AngularJS
React
React
Testmunk
Testmunk
GitHub
GitHub
Bitbucket
Bitbucket
TestFlight
TestFlight
HockeyApp
HockeyApp
HipChat
HipChat
Crashlytics
Crashlytics
Travis CI
Travis CI
Jenkins
Jenkins
Slack
Slack

What are some alternatives to Firebase, fastlane?

Socket.IO

Socket.IO

It enables real-time bidirectional event-based communication. It works on every platform, browser or device, focusing equally on reliability and speed.

PubNub

PubNub

PubNub makes it easy for you to add real-time capabilities to your apps, without worrying about the infrastructure. Build apps that allow your users to engage in real-time across mobile, browser, desktop and server.

Pusher

Pusher

Pusher is the category leader in delightful APIs for app developers building communication and collaboration features.

SignalR

SignalR

SignalR allows bi-directional communication between server and client. Servers can now push content to connected clients instantly as it becomes available. SignalR supports Web Sockets, and falls back to other compatible techniques for older browsers. SignalR includes APIs for connection management (for instance, connect and disconnect events), grouping connections, and authorization.

Ably

Ably

Ably offers WebSockets, stream resume, history, presence, and managed third-party integrations to make it simple to build, extend, and deliver digital realtime experiences at scale.

Syncano

Syncano

Syncano is a backend platform to build powerful real-time apps more efficiently. Integrate with any API, minimize boilerplate code and control your data - all from one place.

Bitrise

Bitrise

It is a Continous Integration and Delivery (CI/CD) Platform as a Service (PaaS) with a main focus on mobile app development (iOS, Android). You can automate the testing and deployment of your apps with just a few clicks. When you trigger a build a Virtual Machine is assigned to host your build and your defined Workflow (series of Steps scripts) will be executed, step by step.

NATS

NATS

Unlike traditional enterprise messaging systems, NATS has an always-on dial tone that does whatever it takes to remain available. This forms a great base for building modern, reliable, and scalable cloud and distributed systems.

SocketCluster

SocketCluster

SocketCluster is a fast, highly scalable HTTP + realtime server engine which lets you build multi-process realtime servers that make use of all CPU cores on a machine/instance. It removes the limitations of having to run your Node.js server as a single thread and makes your backend resilient by automatically recovering from worker crashes and aggregating errors into a central log.

Buddybuild

Buddybuild

Buddybuild ties together continuous integration, continuous delivery and an iterative feedback solution into a single, seamless platform.

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