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Firebase vs SendBird: What are the differences?
- Real-time Database: Firebase provides a real-time database that allows developers to store and sync data in real-time between users and devices. SendBird does not have its own real-time database feature.
- Push Notifications: Firebase offers a built-in push notification service that allows developers to send push notifications to both Android and iOS devices. SendBird does not provide a push notification service.
- Authentication: Firebase includes a comprehensive authentication system that supports various authentication methods like email/password, phone number, social media logins, etc. SendBird does not have its own authentication system.
- Analytics: Firebase provides a powerful analytics feature that allows developers to track user interactions, app usage, and user behavior. SendBird does not have its own analytics feature.
- Backend as a Service (BaaS): Firebase is a complete Backend as a Service platform that includes services for data storage, authentication, analytics, push notifications, and more. SendBird, on the other hand, is primarily focused on providing real-time chat and messaging services.
- UI Customization: Firebase provides flexible UI customization options, allowing developers to customize the look and feel of their app's UI. SendBird does not offer extensive UI customization options.
In Summary, Firebase is a comprehensive Backend as a Service platform that provides real-time database, push notifications, authentication, analytics, and UI customization, while SendBird is focused on providing real-time chat and messaging services, without features like real-time database, push notifications, authentication, analytics, and extensive UI customization options.
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 SendBird
- Active support is impressive. (Support for private deve13
- Pre-built UI for major platforms10
- Easy to use10
- Migration API for customers using other chat services8
- Scalability is awesome7
- First chat SDK officially supports Xamarin7
- Because my product guy told me to5
- Unlimited number of users in public chat5
- Cool product5
- Flexible message format ex) json, xml4
- Out of the box api and features2
- Intuitive and feature-packed2
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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 SendBird
- Policy on concurrent users leads to overages and overch2
- Prices ramp up exponentially2
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