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Appwrite vs Firebase: What are the differences?

Comparison: Appwrite vs Firebase

Appwrite and Firebase are both back-end as a service (BaaS) platforms that offer a range of features for developing and scaling web and mobile applications. While they have some similarities, there are key differences between the two.

  1. Authentication and User Management: Appwrite offers built-in authentication systems with support for email/password, OAuth, and JWT. It also provides user management features like user roles and permissions. In contrast, Firebase offers a more extensive authentication system with support for a wide range of providers like email/password, social logins, phone authentication, and anonymous authentication. Firebase also provides additional features like custom claim management and multi-factor authentication.

  2. Database Options: Appwrite utilizes a NoSQL database called "Collections," which provides a schema-less approach for storing data. On the other hand, Firebase offers two database options: Firestore, a NoSQL document database, and the Realtime Database, which is a JSON-based, real-time database. Both options have their own unique features and use cases, such as scalability and real-time synchronization.

  3. File Storage: Appwrite supports file storage and allows users to securely upload and manage files in the cloud. It offers built-in support for file uploads, downloads, and generating file previews. Firebase, on the other hand, provides Firebase Storage, which is a powerful and flexible file storage solution designed specifically for mobile and web apps. It offers features like resumable uploads, access controls, and server-side file manipulation.

  4. Server-side Customizations and Integrations: Appwrite allows developers to extend its functionality with server-side scripts, webhooks, and custom server actions. This enables developers to add custom business logic and automate workflows. In contrast, Firebase offers Firebase Cloud Functions, which allows developers to run custom server-side code in a serverless environment. It provides a scalable and flexible solution for integrating with other Firebase services and external APIs.

  5. Server Infrastructure: Appwrite allows users to deploy their applications on any hosting provider of their choice, providing flexibility and control over the hosting environment. Firebase, on the other hand, provides Firebase Hosting, a fully-managed hosting service that enables developers to deploy their applications quickly and easily. It offers features like SSL support, automatic scaling, and global content delivery network (CDN).

  6. Pricing Structure: Appwrite offers a straightforward pricing structure based on the number of active users and the amount of storage used. It provides a free tier with certain limitations. Firebase, on the other hand, also offers a free tier with limited usage quotas, but its pricing is primarily based on usage of services like authentication, database, storage, and hosting. It offers a range of pricing plans that cater to different usage needs.

In summary, while both Appwrite and Firebase are powerful BaaS platforms, they have distinct differences in terms of authentication and user management, database options, file storage, server-side customizations, server infrastructure, and pricing structure. The choice between the two would depend on specific requirements and preferences of the project or application being developed.

Advice on Appwrite and Firebase
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 · 463.2K 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 Appwrite
Pros of Firebase
  • 9
    Great UI
  • 7
    100% open source
  • 6
    Easy to setup
  • 5
    End to end solution
  • 4
    Consistency across platforms
  • 3
    Easy to use
  • 3
    Small learning curve
  • 3
    Predictable REST API
  • 3
    Accelerate app development
  • 3
    Simplicity first attitude
  • 2
    Serverless
  • 2
    Credit Card Avatar
  • 1
    Built-in file encryption
  • 1
    Auto SSL certificate generator
  • 1
    Lot of security features
  • 1
    Built-in file scanner
  • 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

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Cons of Appwrite
Cons of Firebase
    Be the first to leave a con
    • 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

    Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions

    - No public GitHub repository available -

    What is Appwrite?

    Appwrite's open-source platform lets you add Auth, DBs, Functions and Storage to your product and build any application at any scale, own your data, and use your preferred coding languages and tools.

    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.

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