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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 prototyping18
- Great security14
- Automatic scaling12
- Freakingly awesome11
- Super fast development8
- Angularfire is an amazing addition!8
- Chat8
- Built in user auth/oauth6
- Ios adaptor6
- Awesome next-gen backend6
- Firebase hosting6
- Speed of light4
- Very easy to use4
- Great3
- It's made development super fast3
- Brilliant for startups3
- The concurrent updates create a great experience2
- Push notification2
- .net2
- Cloud functions2
- Free hosting2
- Free authentication solution2
- JS Offline and Sync suport2
- Low battery consumption2
- I can quickly create static web apps with no backend2
- Great all-round functionality2
- Large1
- Easy to use1
- Free SSL1
- Faster workflow1
- Google's support1
- CDN & cache out of the box1
- Easy Reactjs integration1
- Simple and easy1
- Good Free Limits1
- Serverless1
Pros of Visual Studio App Center
- Show error issues for mobile devices1
- Slack integration1
- Bug tracking integration1
- For Mobile apps diagnostics and tracking1
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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