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Firebase vs Openfire: What are the differences?
Key Differences between Firebase and Openfire
Firebase and Openfire are both popular platforms used for real-time messaging and communication purposes. However, there are several key differences that set them apart.
Database System: Firebase utilizes a NoSQL cloud-based database system, whereas Openfire uses a traditional SQL database. This difference affects the scalability and flexibility of the platforms. Firebase's NoSQL database allows for more dynamic data modeling and real-time updates, while Openfire's SQL database offers more control over data structures and relationships.
Real-time Capabilities: Firebase is known for its real-time synchronization feature, where changes made in the database are instantly reflected across all connected devices. Openfire also supports real-time messaging but requires additional configurations and customization to achieve the same level of real-time updates.
Hosting Services: Firebase provides hosting services for web applications, allowing developers to deploy their projects with ease. On the other hand, Openfire does not offer built-in hosting services and requires external hosting providers to host the application.
Server Management: Both Firebase and Openfire require server-side implementation for their functionalities. However, Firebase handles the server management aspect, allowing developers to focus more on the application development. Openfire, on the other hand, requires more manual server management and configuration, making it a better fit for developers with server administration skills.
Platform Integration: Firebase is backed by Google and integrates seamlessly with other Google services, such as Google Analytics, Google Cloud Functions, and Cloud Messaging. Openfire, being an open-source platform, offers more flexibility in integrating with various third-party services and platforms.
Community and Support: Firebase has a large and active community with extensive documentation, tutorials, and support resources provided by Google. Openfire, being an open-source project, also has a significant community support, but it may not be as extensive as Firebase's community. The level of support and availability of resources may impact the development process and address any issues encountered during the development.
In summary, Firebase and Openfire differ in their choice of database system, real-time capabilities, hosting services, server management approach, platform integration, and community support. The choice between the two largely depends on the specific requirements of the project and the developer's preference.
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 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
Pros of Openfire
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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
Cons of Openfire
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