Cloud Firestore vs Google Cloud Datastore: What are the differences?

Cloud Firestore and Google Cloud Datastore are both NoSQL document databases offered by Google. They have similar features and functionality, but there are key differences between them that make each suitable for different use cases.

1. Data hierarchy: Cloud Firestore provides a more structured approach to organizing data by using collections and documents. It allows for nested data structures within documents, providing more flexibility in data modeling. On the other hand, Google Cloud Datastore uses a flat data model where entities have properties, but there are no nested subcollections or documents.

2. Transactions: Cloud Firestore offers atomic transactions that allow multiple document updates to be treated as a single atomic operation. This ensures data consistency and integrity. In contrast, Google Cloud Datastore only supports single-entity transactions, meaning that if you need to update multiple entities atomically, you would have to implement it manually.

3. Scalability: Cloud Firestore scales automatically to handle high read and write loads. It can support larger collections and is better suited for applications that require real-time updates and high scalability. Google Cloud Datastore also scales well, but it has some limitations on the number of entities you can read or write per second.

4. Queries: Cloud Firestore enables more powerful and flexible querying with compound queries, range comparison, and array-contains queries. It allows you to perform complex queries with less code. Google Cloud Datastore, on the other hand, has a simpler querying model. It only allows querying by a single property value.

5. Pricing: Cloud Firestore has a different pricing model compared to Google Cloud Datastore. Firestore’s pricing is based on the number of documents read, written, and deleted, as well as the amount of data stored. Google Cloud Datastore pricing is based on the number of entities read, written, and accessed.

6. Data synchronization: Cloud Firestore has built-in support for real-time data synchronization through its native SDKs, allowing you to easily build collaborative and real-time applications. Google Cloud Datastore does not have this built-in functionality and would require additional implementation for real-time data synchronization.

In summary, Cloud Firestore offers a more structured approach to data organization, supports atomic transactions, scales better, provides more powerful querying capabilities, has a different pricing model, and offers built-in support for real-time data synchronization. Google Cloud Datastore, on the other hand, has a simpler data model, supports single-entity transactions, and has a different pricing model.