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

Firebase vs JSON Server

OverviewDecisionsComparisonAlternatives

Overview

Firebase
Firebase
Stacks42.5K
Followers36.0K
Votes2.0K
JSON Server
JSON Server
Stacks133
Followers189
Votes7
GitHub Stars75.3K
Forks7.2K

Firebase vs JSON Server: What are the differences?

Introduction

This markdown code provides the key differences between Firebase and JSON Server, and compares them in six specific aspects.

  1. Data Storage: Firebase is a real-time NoSQL cloud-based database that provides automatic data syncing across devices and platforms. It uses a document-oriented model, stores data in JSON format, and offers powerful querying capabilities. On the other hand, JSON Server is a mock server that creates a RESTful API using a JSON file as a data source. It provides CRUD operations but lacks real-time data syncing and querying functionalities.

  2. Authentication and Authorization: Firebase offers built-in authentication and authorization features, allowing developers to easily integrate user authentication with popular providers like Facebook, Google, and Twitter. It provides various authentication methods like email/password, phone number, and custom tokens. JSON Server, being a mock server, does not provide any authentication or authorization out of the box. Developers need to implement their own authentication mechanisms if needed.

  3. Real-time Communication: Firebase enables real-time communication between clients and servers, providing powerful real-time data syncing capabilities. This means that any changes made to the database are immediately reflected on all connected devices. JSON Server, being a mock server, does not offer real-time communication. It can only simulate a RESTful API's behavior.

  4. Data Security: Firebase provides security rules that allow developers to define fine-grained access control on data. These rules can be based on user authentication, user roles, and data structures. JSON Server, being a mock server, does not provide any data security features. It does not have access control mechanisms or user authentication.

  5. Scalability and Performance: Firebase is a cloud-based service provided by Google, which means it offers high scalability and performance. It can handle large amounts of data and concurrent connections easily. JSON Server, on the other hand, runs locally and is limited to the capabilities of the machine it is running on. It may not be suitable for applications that require high scalability or handle heavy traffic.

  6. Additional Features: Firebase provides a wide range of additional features like Cloud Messaging, Cloud Functions, Hosting, and Analytics. These features can be easily integrated with the database and provide powerful functionalities for building modern web and mobile applications. JSON Server, being a simple mock server, does not provide any additional features. It is solely focused on simulating a RESTful API.

In Summary, Firebase is a cloud-based real-time NoSQL database that offers advanced features like real-time communication, authentication, and scalability. JSON Server, on the other hand, is a mock server that simulates a RESTful API using a JSON file as a data source but lacks real-time capabilities and additional features.

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Advice on Firebase, JSON Server

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
JSON Server
JSON Server

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.

Created with <3 for front-end developers who need a quick back-end for prototyping and mocking.

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.
-
Statistics
GitHub Stars
-
GitHub Stars
75.3K
GitHub Forks
-
GitHub Forks
7.2K
Stacks
42.5K
Stacks
133
Followers
36.0K
Followers
189
Votes
2.0K
Votes
7
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
  • 7
    Stupid simple
Integrations
Trigger.io
Trigger.io
Famo.us
Famo.us
Backbone.js
Backbone.js
Ember.js
Ember.js
AngularJS
AngularJS
React
React
No integrations available

What are some alternatives to Firebase, JSON Server?

Postman

Postman

It is the only complete API development environment, used by nearly five million developers and more than 100,000 companies worldwide.

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.

Paw

Paw

Paw is a full-featured and beautifully designed Mac app that makes interaction with REST services delightful. Either you are an API maker or consumer, Paw helps you build HTTP requests, inspect the server's response and even generate client code.

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.

Karate DSL

Karate DSL

Combines API test-automation, mocks and performance-testing into a single, unified framework. The BDD syntax popularized by Cucumber is language-neutral, and easy for even non-programmers. Besides powerful JSON & XML assertions, you can run tests in parallel for speed - which is critical for HTTP API testing.

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.

Appwrite

Appwrite

Appwrite's open-source platform lets you add Auth, DBs, Functions and Storage to your product and build any application at any scale, own your data, and use your preferred coding languages and tools.

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