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Firebase vs Parse-Server vs Reindex: What are the differences?
Introduction: Comparison of Firebase, Parse-Server, and Reindex to understand the key differences between these popular backend as a service platforms.
Data Storage and Querying: Firebase uses a NoSQL Cloud Firestore database, Parse-Server relies on MongoDB, while Reindex allows for integration with any GraphQL-compliant database. Firebase offers real-time database updates, Parse-Server allows for relational data models through MongoDB, and Reindex provides flexibility in choosing the database backend.
Authentication and Authorization: Firebase provides easy-to-implement user authentication with built-in support for popular OAuth providers, Parse-Server offers customizable authentication methods, and Reindex also allows for flexible authentication strategies through GraphQL resolvers.
Real-time Data Sync: Firebase offers real-time synchronization of data across clients, Parse-Server supports live queries through the LiveQuery feature, and Reindex provides real-time data updates through GraphQL subscriptions, enabling live updates for applications.
Scalability and Pricing: Firebase is known for its high scalability and seamlessly handles a large number of users, Parse-Server offers flexibility in deploying on self-hosted servers for better control over scalability, and Reindex allows for horizontal scaling by utilizing the power of GraphQL and optimizing data retrieval.
Custom Functions and Integrations: Firebase allows for serverless functions using Cloud Functions, Parse-Server supports cloud code for extending backend functionality, and Reindex enables custom business logic through GraphQL resolvers, making it easier to integrate with external services.
Community and Support: Firebase has a wide user base, detailed documentation, and active community support, Parse-Server benefits from being an open-source project with a community-contributed ecosystem, while Reindex provides personalized support and consulting services for businesses implementing GraphQL solutions.
In Summary, Firebase, Parse-Server, and Reindex each offer unique strengths in terms of data storage, authentication, real-time capabilities, scalability, custom functions, and community support.
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 Parse-Server
- Open Source13
- Well documented7
- Easy setup, easy api, Fast,more platforms,realtime4
- No vendor lock-in3
- JSON2
- Backed by People2
- Friendly contributor community1
Pros of Reindex
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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 Parse-Server
- No guarantee (comes as is)1