10 Alternatives to Firebase for Developing Applications

Gone are the days when you were forced to sit for hours, writing codes to create your app for Android e iOS. These days, you can develop top-notch mobile and web applications without extensive coding. All you need is to select the application development platform adequate.

In this sense, a platform like Firebase known for its real-time database would be ideal. It is a backend platform as a service that Google purchased in 2014. Firebase features massive tools to streamline app development assignments.

However, Firebase's flaw is that it is a proprietary platform, i.e. not open source. This means that developers are locked into the platform. Furthermore, it does not support GraphQL APIs. This article creates an objective list of options that developers can use as alternatives to firebase.

The comparison would also help you select the best backend option for your app development needs. Companies looking forward to hiring developers for their next application development project You can use this information to familiarize yourself with the backend options.

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The best alternatives to Firebase

For developers looking for alternatives to Firebase, this article reviews many options that provide innovative ways to build modern applications. You can use any of the discussed options to build outstanding applications without any hassle. So, take a look at the following: There to review all available options.

1. Back4App

Back4pp is a fantastic solution that helps developers to can bring to life modern web and mobile applicationsThis platform is a great solution whether you are building a single app or have a dozen apps in your portfolio.

This backend solution is built using a stack of open source and provides developers with a set of tools to help them build web and mobile applications quickly. Back4apps users can take advantage of APIs and pre-built codes to develop their applications quickly.

Since back4apps takes care of the backend of the application, developers can have more time to focus on building top-notch frontend features. With Back4apps, developers can crear mobile applications, of IoT and web-based faster and more hassle-free. Back4App provides the database and APIs.

So, all the developer needs to do is create the app's interface and connect it to the already functional backend. Back4app is open source; the platform offers various tools and codes that help developers create applications with top-notch features without writing a lot of code.

Advantages

• Collaborative database.
• Private cloud options.
• Two-factor authentication.
• Email verification.
• log viewer
• Administration panel
• Transfer apps quickly
• Clone an app
• Multi-tenant control panel.
• Supports real-time database with LiveQuery.
• Offers hosting options with servers distributed in China and the Middle East.
• Extensive options enhance flexibility and also handle application scaling efficiently.
• Access to options storage optimized.

Disadvantages

• The query options are a bit limited.

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2. Parse

Parse ranks highly among Firebase alternatives because it has a reputation for being the most popular open-source framework for developing app backends. It makes it easy for developers to build apps quickly and with less stress.

It has been supported by a dedicated community of developers and enthusiasts since it became a open source platform in 2016. It is an excellent tool for developing backend on a budget because it is free.

Many developers and small businesses have used this platform to create a wide range of applications without exceeding budgetsParse is quite easy to implement compared to other Firebase alternatives. It has several tools, services, and features needed to create a functional backend for app development.

Advantages

• Real-time database.
• Integrated safety features.
• User session management.
• File storage provision.
• Easy to use hosting.
• SSL Hosting.
• User management system.
• Email and password authentication.
• Single sign-on (SSO) options using Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, Instagram and many others.
• Free download and easy to use.
• Access support from an active community of Parse users, developers, and enthusiasts.
• You can download and use Parse for free.

Disadvantages

• Open source installation is a bit complicated.

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3. Firehose

Firehose is a great option if you are looking for alternatives to Firebase. It is ideal for building and managing real-time applications without stress. The best part is that does not use complicated protocols.

This platform uses the RESTful design principle, which is easy to implement for developers. Moreover, it provides many useful server codes in the form of JavaScripts. Therefore, you don’t have to start writing your application from scratch.

Advantages

• Real-time web applications.
• You can create backup and restore.
• Provides data protection.
• It is flexible and scalable.
• Offers many affordable options.
• It is very easy to use.

Disadvantages

• No negative characteristics have been found.

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4. Kinvey

Kinvey is a fully-integrated, secure, and HIPAA-compliant serverless application development platform. It is an excellent choice for enterprises and developers who want to launch highly engaging mobile apps and other digital businesses.

Kinvey gives you the Freedom to use the frontend SDK of your choice and at the same time provides virtually any backend functionality you need. Some of its key features include standards based on open architecture, no cloud lock-in, extensive documentation and open source SDK.

The platform boasts 86% faster release cycles, a full suite of tools to deliver high-quality immersive experiences, and much more. Its biggest drawback is its high costs. However, it still remains one of the most recommended Firebase alternatives.

Advantages

• Open Source.
• Microservices.
• Cloud Functions.
• Business connectors.
• Plataforma easy to use.

Disadvantages

• It is very expensive.

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5. Backendless

Backendless could not be missing among the alternatives to Firebase. It is a platform Mobile Backend-as-a-Service (MBaaS) Highly scalable providing multiple useful features such as user authentication, live audio and video streaming.

Other features of Backendless include message filtering, push notifications, Auto-scaling, data persistence, file storage, geolocation, cloud code, analytics, and custom business logic. It has everything you need to build amazing mobile apps without worrying about server issues.

The drawbacks of this platform include conditional message delivery, limited free version, and limited server resources that can affect performance. Also, development features are somewhat limited on this platform, making it difficult to accomplish tasks that require complex server logic.

Advantages

• Programme visual.
• User Management.
• Real-time database.
• Application available.
• Push notifications.

Disadvantages

• The free version is very limited.

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6. Kuzzle

Kuzzle is a ready-to-use local backend platform designed to power and unify innovative applications for the Internet and mobile devicesIts unique selling points include reducing time-to-market (TTM) of digital products by 40% and increasing return on investment (ROI) on innovation cycles.

Kuzzle's backend is an open source solution that includes a scalable server, a multi-protocol API and management consoleIt also offers a set of plugin engines that provide advanced functionality, including real-time pub/sub, ultra-fast search, and geospatial queries.

The top reasons why developers prefer to use Kuzzle over other Firebase alternatives include its persistent storage, comprehensive real-time filters, multi-protocol support, and more.

Advantages

• User authentication.
• Real-time database.
• Geofencing.
• Administration console.

Disadvantages

• Sometimes it throws some errors.

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7. Pubnub

Pubnub is a secure and easy-to-use global Data Stream Network (DSN) API that enables developers to connect, scale and manage applications in real time and IoT devices.

Apart from its main services, which are Publish/Subscribe, Pubnub Features and ChatEngine, Pubnub offers a collection of “building block” services for any type of real-time application, so there is no reason not to place it among the best alternatives to Firebase.

The platform’s services include offline mobile push, real-time analytics, storage/playback, AES encryption, online presence detection, access management, multiplexing, and much more. It offers a simple pricing model, a separate API for managing accounts, flexible integration with custom applications, and client API availability in many technologies and programming languages.

The demerits of this platform include the supported message payload size, which is 1.8 kb by default, and the lack of a dedicated isolation level.

Advantages

• Real-time communication platform.
• Alerts and notifications.

Disadvantages

• There is no convenient level of isolation.

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8. Kumulos

Kumulos was a must-have on our list of Firebase alternatives. It is a powerful, secure, easy-to-use, and powerful mobile app performance management platform trusted by thousands of app developers worldwide.

Allows you to link the aplicación móvil from the client side to your cloud-based backend storage, freeing you from the hassle of managing backend infrastructure. One of its notable features is granular permissions, which are beneficial for mobile app development companies.

Advantages

• In-app messaging.
• Blood test.
• Bug report.
• App Store Optimization.

Disadvantages

• No negative characteristics were found.

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9. Game Sparks

If you are looking for alternatives to Firebase you will also usually come across Game Sparks. It is a backend development platform cloud-based for game developers. It helps them build their server-side components without having to set up and run a server.

What makes this platform so impressive is that it is completely open, scalable and customizableThese features make it an ideal framework for building your game's backend capabilities and integrating with existing components.

Moreover, its rich social and messaging features help in increasing player engagement and retention rates. So far, we have not found any demerits of this platform on the internet.

Advantages

• Multiplayer social.
• Metagame economies.

Disadvantages

• It has a considerably high cost.

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10. Hoodie

Hoodie is a simple, self-hosted, offline JavaScript backend that uses backendless technology that simplifies development tasks.Develop web applications Hoodie is easy, fast, and manageable. Some of its key features include Node.js integration, no backend programming, and a code-driven API that makes coding easy to understand.

It supports offline development, which means that works without internet connectivity and much more. Like most platforms, it also has some drawbacks. For example, it has a small developer community compared to other mobile backends and you can't access Google Docs when there's no internet access.

Advantages

• It is fast and easy to use.
• You can use it without internet access.
• It is open source.

Disadvantages

• You can't view Google Docs if you don't have internet.

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What is Firebase?

Firebase is a Backend as a Service platform acquired by Google that speeds up application development. With it, you can create modern applications very easily and quickly.

Why you need a Firebase alternative

Although Firebase has some great features, there are some drawbacks to using it. Here are some of them:

• It has vendor lock.
• Slow queries.
• Not all of their services are free to get started.
• Only offers databases NoSQL.
• No options for enterprise support or dedicated servers.
• It does not offer GraphQL API as part of the standard configuration.
• It is a Google subdomain, so it does not work in many countries.
• It is not open source, so it lacks flexibility and customization to adapt your code.

These are just some of the reasons why some people prefer to opt for Firebase alternatives.

Why consider an open source Firebase alternative

Several open source alternatives offer many more benefits than using a proprietary one. Here's why you should choose an open source option from the pack. alternatives to firebase:

• Open source tools can be downloaded for free, since they are publicly available software.
• Coding and application development is faster with an open source platform.
• There are multiple support channels.
• It is easier to scale and consolidate.
• There is no risk of vendor lock-in.
• You can deploy to any cloud.
• Less licensing and maintenance costs.
• Integrates with frames.
• You have full visibility of what the framework is doing.
• Regular improvements are coming.
• Open source frameworks are thoroughly reviewed as people continue to observe security standards.
• You can play with the software much more freely to have full control over the source code.

So, this is one more tip to help you choose an option from the Firebase alternatives. However, the decision is yours.

5 reasons not to use Firebase for a large project

Firebase has some limitations and here is a list of 5 things you should know. What you will see below is a summary of the opinions of some of the former users of the platform:

1. Your data is not yours

Your data is hosted on servers that you do not own and it is not possible to export your user data. You can't send emails and user accounts are not recoverable. Only one way to export email/password data is possible by contacting Firebase team, but not from Dashboard. This is really a pain.

2. The problem of data migration

With Firebase, you can't easily deal with data migration like you can with a simple sql database. Firebase uses JSON and There are almost no SQL functions, so you couldn't easily migrate from the existing database.

3. Limited consultations

There are limited query capabilities due to the data flow model. Some query options cannot be combined, because of this, You will have to choose, sort the documents by date or filter them with the user's search query on the database side and perform the other action on the client side.

4. Very oriented towards real-time synchronization

Firebase seems to be heavily geared towards real-time syncing. If you type into a text field, the database automatically updates. If someone else types into a text field, your screen adjusts.

The main documentation examples and the Angular integration seemed to focus on this. However, this is not what was wanted. We would be fine writing queries and using an event handler to update the database, or receive the update from someone else.

5. Safety rules are limited

Security rules may be one of our biggest struggles with Firebase. They are designed to be fast so that Firebase servers execute at request time, but the downside to this is that they are limited and it is very difficult to build an enterprise platform on top of them.

The security rules json file quickly grows to an unmanageable size and es Pretty scary to open the rules editor and touch it so that it doesn't break the rules and bring down the entire application.

Nota: If you're building something interesting and need a fast and reliable database, user authentication, and usage tracking, Firebase is a great way to go. However, it's not recommended for complex projects.

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Final thoughts

Here are ten of the best Firebase alternatives we compared based on user engagement, pricing, hosting, deployment, and features.

As a hardcore developer, you might have already made your choice. However, this list would be helpful for those who are yet to decide or plan to change the infrastructure they are currently using.

Don't let your backend become a bottleneck for your app. Make a smart decision by taking the time to choose a scalable, flexible, hassle-free, and cost-effective development platform.