Pros from reviewers
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Easy to get started: Firebase is incredibly easy to integrate into a project, making it a great tool for both new and experienced developers
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Comprehensive features: Firebase offers a wide range of features including two types of databases, storage solutions, authentication, ads, analytics, and functions, providing a complete toolkit for web application development
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Reliable hosting: Firebase provides reliable hosting, which can be particularly beneficial for developers who need a dependable hosting solution
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Suitable for developers who dislike back-end work: Firebase is a fantastic tool for developers who want to create a web application but either dislike back-end work or need reliable hosting
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Not overly expensive: Although Firebase uses Google Cloud prices, which aren't the most affordable, it's not overly expensive and sometimes it's cheaper to rent a VPS and set up Appwrite.io instead.
Cons from reviewers
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Complexity and bugs: While Firebase is easy to start with, it becomes complex when used for more advanced features. It is often riddled with bugs, such as issues with basic email authentication, which can persist for months
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Poor documentation: Firebase's SDKs, including iOS, Android, and Python, are poorly documented. Necessary information is often not provided, leading to countless lost hours in the integration process
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Inconsistent API design: The Firebase APIs are inconsistently designed, with improper naming and operations that differ from what is stated. This can lead to confusion and inefficiency
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High cost when exceeding free limit: Firebase uses Google Cloud prices, which can be expensive once the free limit is exceeded. Sometimes, it's cheaper to rent a VPS and set up an alternative like Appwrite.io
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Privacy concerns: When storing user data with Firebase, you don't actually own it. This means it's not private from third parties, and Google has access to all your data. This can be a significant concern for those who value user data privacy.
Main features
Starting Price
Free Plan
Realtime database
Authentication
Cloud Firestore
Cloud storage
Cloud functions
Starting Price
N/A
Free Plan
No
Realtime database
Authentication
Cloud Firestore
Cloud storage
Cloud functions
What is Firebase?
How Firebase compare to similar software?
Product
Firebase
3.8
Firebase reviews
Price
N/A
Free plan
No
Main features
Pros
Cons
Alternatives
Deal
No available deal at the moment
Firebase
vs
Google Cloud
Google Cloud and Firebase are different tools. As a result, they don't target the same audience and don't have the same functionality.
To begin with, let's define them. Google Cloud, as its name suggests, is the cloud of the American company Google. In other words, it is a network of servers storing computing resources that can be accessed remotely by users. The platform also includes a number of services available from a single interface. These include infrastructures for writing and executing computer code, translation tools, data analysis and forecasting systems, etc.
Firebase, for its part, is a BaaS "Backend-as-a-Service" provider. This means that it offers developers software that is already coded, so that they do not have to take responsibility themselves for managing the activities that take place on the server, i.e. updates, storage, authentication, databases, etc. This allows them to concentrate on their core business. This allows them to concentrate on their speciality: the...
Firebase
Empowering entrepreneurs to build, scale, and succeed
Google Cloud
Cloud services by Google
Who is Firebase best for according to our reviewers?
Beginner Developers: Firebase is a great tool for those who are new to development and want to create a web application. It provides easy-to-use features like databases, storage solutions, authentication, ads, analytics, and functions
Experienced Developers: For developers with more experience, Firebase can offer reliable hosting and a range of features. However, they may find it more complex and potentially buggy for more advanced uses
Privacy-Concerned Users: Users who value data privacy may have concerns with Firebase. The understanding is that user data stored with Firebase is not private from third parties, and Google has access to all the data
Cost-Conscious Users: While Firebase is not overly expensive, users who are mindful of costs may find it pricier than self-hosted alternatives. Firebase uses Google Cloud prices, which may not be the most affordable for some
Users Requiring Email Authentication: Firebase offers email authentication, but there have been reports of this feature being broken by default on new projects, which may cause issues for users who need this feature.
Firebase reviews
3.8
Firebase rating
4.5
Ease of use
4.5
Customer service
4.5
Value for money
4.4
Likelihood to recommend
4.5
Features
5 Firebase reviews
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Barbara
Embracing Firebase: A Game-Changer in App Development
I wholeheartedly recommend integrating Firebase, as it has been an absolute game-changer for us. We've implemented standard push notifications in numerous apps, but a client suggested using Firebase for all services due to its additional features. The integration process has been an exciting journey, filled with countless learning opportunities. Every SDK we have used, including iOS, Android, and Python, is incredibly unique, with most of the necessary information being a delightful challenge to discover. Moreover, the SDKs are filled with interesting quirks, requiring creative solutions for almost every feature. The design of the Firebase APIs is refreshingly unconventional, with a unique approach, inventive naming, and operations that keep you on your toes. The surprises with Firebase seem to be endless. I strongly recommend embracing it.
May 5, 2024
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Zachary R
Firebase: An Excellent Tool for App Development
I've been using Firebase for a while now and I must say, it's an excellent tool for app development
April 29, 2024
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Judy
Super Easy to Use - Thanks to Firebase!
Firebase has made it incredibly easy to get started by adding it to my project. However, when I wanted to use it for anything more, it became much more complex and was riddled with bugs. I simply needed basic email authentication, but this feature is broken by default on all new projects. I could sign up with my email, but I was not allowed to sign back in. This issue has persisted for 3 months, as seen in firebaseui issue 14. While Firebase itself might work, I've found that I can't rely on Google to maintain FirebaseUI.
April 21, 2024
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Christine D
Firebase's Crashlytics: Improving User Experience in Real-Time
Firebase's Crashlytics has been a lifesaver, helping me track and fix bugs in real-time, thus improving the overall user experience
April 14, 2024
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Elizabeth B
Firebase's Cloud Messaging: Easy and Efficient Notifications.
I am particularly impressed with Firebase's Cloud Messaging. It has made sending notifications and messages to my users incredibly easy and efficient
April 14, 2024
