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Firebase vs Visual Studio App Center: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the key differences between Firebase and Visual Studio App Center, two popular platforms for building and deploying mobile applications. Firebase is a mobile platform developed by Google, offering a wide range of features such as real-time database, user authentication, cloud messaging, and more. On the other hand, Visual Studio App Center is a mobile app development toolset by Microsoft, providing services like building, testing, distributing, and monitoring mobile apps. Let's dive into the key differences between these two platforms.

  1. Integration with Development Tools: Firebase is closely integrated with various Google development tools and services, including Android Studio, which allows seamless integration and easy setup for developers. Visual Studio App Center, on the other hand, is focused on providing integration with Microsoft's development tools, such as Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code, offering a similar streamlined experience for developers using these tools.

  2. Backend as a Service (BaaS) Capabilities: Firebase is primarily known for its strong BaaS capabilities, providing features like real-time database, cloud functions, and user authentication out of the box. These services make it easier for developers to build, scale, and manage the backend of their mobile apps. On the contrary, Visual Studio App Center predominantly focuses on mobile DevOps, offering services like building, testing, and distribution, while relying on external services for backend functionality.

  3. Testing and Distribution Services: Visual Studio App Center has a strong emphasis on testing and distribution services. It provides features like automatic builds, continuous integration, and automated UI testing, enabling developers to streamline their testing and distribution processes. Firebase, although it offers some testing capabilities, does not provide the extensive testing and distribution services like Visual Studio App Center.

  4. Analytics and Crash Reporting: Firebase offers robust analytics and crash reporting capabilities, providing developers with insights into user behavior, app performance, and crash diagnostics. It allows developers to track user engagement, retention, and conversion, and also provides detailed crash reports with stack traces. Visual Studio App Center, while having some basic analytics and crash reporting features, does not provide the same level of depth and granularity as Firebase.

  5. Supported Platforms: Firebase supports a wide range of platforms, including Android, iOS, web, and backend services. It provides SDKs and libraries for various platforms, making it easy for developers to integrate Firebase into their apps. Visual Studio App Center primarily focuses on mobile platforms, supporting Android and iOS for building, testing, and distribution.

  6. Pricing Model: Firebase offers a range of pricing options, including a free tier with limited features and paid plans based on usage and additional features. Visual Studio App Center also offers a free tier, and its pricing is based on the number of monthly active users (MAUs) for distribution and analytics services. However, specific pricing details may vary, so it's recommended to check the respective websites for the most up-to-date information.

In summary, Firebase is known for its strong BaaS capabilities and integration with Google's development tools, while Visual Studio App Center focuses on mobile DevOps, providing extensive testing, distribution, and analytics services. Each platform has its own strengths and target audience, so the choice between Firebase and Visual Studio App Center depends on the specific requirements and preferences of the development team.

Advice on Firebase and Visual Studio App Center
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 · 459.9K 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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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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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 Visual Studio App Center
  • 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
  • 18
    Rapid prototyping
  • 14
    Great security
  • 12
    Automatic scaling
  • 11
    Freakingly awesome
  • 8
    Super fast development
  • 8
    Angularfire is an amazing addition!
  • 8
    Chat
  • 6
    Built in user auth/oauth
  • 6
    Ios adaptor
  • 6
    Awesome next-gen backend
  • 6
    Firebase hosting
  • 4
    Speed of light
  • 4
    Very easy to use
  • 3
    Great
  • 3
    It's made development super fast
  • 3
    Brilliant for startups
  • 2
    The concurrent updates create a great experience
  • 2
    Push notification
  • 2
    .net
  • 2
    Cloud functions
  • 2
    Free hosting
  • 2
    Free authentication solution
  • 2
    JS Offline and Sync suport
  • 2
    Low battery consumption
  • 2
    I can quickly create static web apps with no backend
  • 2
    Great all-round functionality
  • 1
    Large
  • 1
    Easy to use
  • 1
    Free SSL
  • 1
    Faster workflow
  • 1
    Google's support
  • 1
    CDN & cache out of the box
  • 1
    Easy Reactjs integration
  • 1
    Simple and easy
  • 1
    Good Free Limits
  • 1
    Serverless
  • 1
    Show error issues for mobile devices
  • 1
    Slack integration
  • 1
    Bug tracking integration
  • 1
    For Mobile apps diagnostics and tracking

Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions

Cons of Firebase
Cons of Visual Studio App Center
  • 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
    Be the first to leave a con

    Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions

    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 Visual Studio App Center?

    Automate the lifecycle of your iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS apps. Connect your repo and within minutes build in the cloud, test on thousands of real devices, distribute to beta testers and app stores, and monitor real-world usage with crash and analytics data. All in one place.

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    What are some alternatives to Firebase and Visual Studio App Center?
    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.
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    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.
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    A set of unified APIs and tools that instantly enables Single Sign On and user management to all your applications.
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