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Firebase vs Google Cloud SQL

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Firebase vs Google Cloud SQL: What are the differences?

Firebase vs Google Cloud SQL

Firebase and Google Cloud SQL are two popular database management systems offered by Google. While both platforms provide services for storing and retrieving data, there are several key differences between them that users should be aware of.

  1. Database Type: Firebase is a NoSQL database, which means it stores data in a flexible, schema-less format, making it ideal for handling unstructured and rapidly changing data. On the other hand, Google Cloud SQL is a fully managed relational database service that supports the SQL language for structured data storage.

  2. Scalability and Performance: Firebase offers automatic scalability and real-time updates with its real-time database and Firestore. This enables applications to handle high volumes of concurrent users and data synchronization across devices. In contrast, Google Cloud SQL provides horizontal scalability through the use of replicas, which allows for better performance and higher bandwidth for read operations.

  3. Data Security: Firebase offers built-in authentication, access control, and Firebase Security Rules to protect data. It also has integration with Firebase Authentication for managing user authentication and authorization. Google Cloud SQL, on the other hand, provides security features such as encryption at rest and in transit, database firewalls, and IAM roles for access control.

  4. Data Modeling and Querying: Firebase offers a flexible data model, allowing developers to store hierarchical data structures and easily query data using simple API calls. Google Cloud SQL, being a relational database, requires a predefined schema and supports complex SQL queries for data retrieval and manipulation.

  5. Serverless Architecture: Firebase provides a serverless architecture, where developers can build and deploy applications without managing underlying infrastructure. It offers several serverless services like Cloud Functions and Hosting for easier development and deployment. Google Cloud SQL, on the other hand, requires managing and provisioning infrastructure resources for the database.

In summary, Firebase offers a NoSQL, real-time, scalable, and serverless database solution that is ideal for flexible and rapidly changing data needs. Google Cloud SQL, on the other hand, provides a managed relational database service with better support for structured data, complex SQL querying, and horizontal scalability.

Note: Generic/declarative sentences have been removed, and the differences have been summarized in a single line.

Advice on Firebase and Google Cloud SQL
Noam Shemesh
| 9 upvotes · 1.1M views
Needs advice
on
ApolloApolloFirebaseFirebase
and
Socket.IOSocket.IO

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.

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Replies (3)
Timothy Malstead
Junior Full Stack Developer at Freelance · | 7 upvotes · 494.6K views
Recommends
on
FirebaseFirebase

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.

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Ramiro Nuñez Dosio
| 4 upvotes · 380.8K views
Recommends
on
AblyAbly

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

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Ilya Lazarev
PM · | 2 upvotes · 487.4K views
Recommends
on
8base8base

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

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Pros of Firebase
Pros of Google Cloud SQL
  • 371
    Realtime backend made easy
  • 270
    Fast and responsive
  • 242
    Easy setup
  • 215
    Real-time
  • 191
    JSON
  • 134
    Free
  • 128
    Backed by google
  • 83
    Angular adaptor
  • 68
    Reliable
  • 36
    Great customer support
  • 32
    Great documentation
  • 25
    Real-time synchronization
  • 21
    Mobile friendly
  • 19
    Rapid prototyping
  • 14
    Great security
  • 12
    Automatic scaling
  • 11
    Freakingly awesome
  • 8
    Super fast development
  • 8
    Angularfire is an amazing addition!
  • 8
    Chat
  • 6
    Firebase hosting
  • 6
    Built in user auth/oauth
  • 6
    Awesome next-gen backend
  • 6
    Ios adaptor
  • 4
    Speed of light
  • 4
    Very easy to use
  • 3
    Great
  • 3
    It's made development super fast
  • 3
    Brilliant for startups
  • 2
    Free hosting
  • 2
    Cloud functions
  • 2
    JS Offline and Sync suport
  • 2
    Low battery consumption
  • 2
    .net
  • 2
    The concurrent updates create a great experience
  • 2
    Push notification
  • 2
    I can quickly create static web apps with no backend
  • 2
    Great all-round functionality
  • 2
    Free authentication solution
  • 1
    Easy Reactjs integration
  • 1
    Google's support
  • 1
    Free SSL
  • 1
    CDN & cache out of the box
  • 1
    Easy to use
  • 1
    Large
  • 1
    Faster workflow
  • 1
    Serverless
  • 1
    Good Free Limits
  • 1
    Simple and easy
  • 13
    Fully managed
  • 10
    Backed by Google
  • 10
    SQL
  • 4
    Flexible
  • 3
    Encryption at rest and transit
  • 3
    Automatic Software Patching
  • 3
    Replication across multiple zone by default

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Cons of Firebase
Cons of Google Cloud SQL
  • 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
  • 3
    Very unstable server
  • 3
    No Relational Data
  • 2
    Too many errors
  • 2
    No offline sync
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    What is Firebase?

    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.

    What is Google Cloud SQL?

    Run the same relational databases you know with their rich extension collections, configuration flags and developer ecosystem, but without the hassle of self management.

    Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

    What companies use Firebase?
    What companies use Google Cloud SQL?
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    What tools integrate with Firebase?
    What tools integrate with Google Cloud SQL?

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    What are some alternatives to Firebase and Google Cloud SQL?
    Parse
    With Parse, you can add a scalable and powerful backend in minutes and launch a full-featured app in record time without ever worrying about server management. We offer push notifications, social integration, data storage, and the ability to add rich custom logic to your app’s backend with Cloud Code.
    MongoDB
    MongoDB stores data in JSON-like documents that can vary in structure, offering a dynamic, flexible schema. MongoDB was also designed for high availability and scalability, with built-in replication and auto-sharding.
    Heroku
    Heroku is a cloud application platform – a new way of building and deploying web apps. Heroku lets app developers spend 100% of their time on their application code, not managing servers, deployment, ongoing operations, or scaling.
    Auth0
    A set of unified APIs and tools that instantly enables Single Sign On and user management to all your applications.
    Realm
    The Realm Mobile Platform is a next-generation data layer for applications. Realm is reactive, concurrent, and lightweight, allowing you to work with live, native objects.
    See all alternatives

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