Top 11 Firebase Alternatives To Upscale App Development    

Firebase has been the key player in the app development market since its acquisition by Google in 2014. However, today, developers are looking for Firebase alternatives to match pace with the ever-evolving business landscape. 

The effect of digital transformation on the business landscape is not new to anyone, but with that came the need for trustworthy app development solutions. Businesses started to look for reliable products and services, which led to the popularity of Firebase – a leading web and app development platform.

Since Google powers Firebase, the user can easily access the complete Google suite, including performance monitoring, effective analytics, authentication, etc. These readily available services are aimed at streamlining the process for quality end-product delivery. 

However, despite these benefits, Firebase is falling short of matching the current demands, primarily because of the lack of customization, high pricing, and minimal to no flexibility. To solve these concerns, numerous alternatives to Firebase came into the picture. 

But before we talk about them, let us first look at  

Why Is Firebase Losing Its Prized Position In The Market? 

• Lack of Scalability 

Firebase is not an open source and comes with vendor lock-in, leaving little room for flexibility and restricting the scaling opportunities.  

• Complicated and Expensive Pricing Model  

The free Firebase plan can easily cover simpler applications. But for the complex ones, the pay-as-you-go plan can get really heavy on the wallet. 

• Limited Hosting Option

Since it is backed by Google, Firebase offers only Google Cloud Platform for cloud hosting, which is not an ideal option for complex applications.  

• Limited Querying and Indexing 

Firebase uses NoSQL, which restricts the developers from performing batch operations and complicates the migration of data. This lowers Firebase’s efficiency when it comes to complicated tasks and queries. 

11 Firebase Alternatives To Streamline Your Development Journey

Here are the top alternatives to Firebase 

• AWS Amplify 
• Back4App
• Parse
• Supabase
• IBM Db2
• Kuzzle 
• MongoDB Atlas Device SDK 
• Backendless
• NHost
• Heroku 
• Appwrite 

1) AWS Amplify 

Powered by Amazon, Amplify comes with a complete ecosystem for faster configuration, shipping, and upscaling. With a complete package, AWS Amplify offers an efficient full-stack mobile application development solution, making it a leading Firebase alternative. 

Like Google, AWS provides an array of services and integrations, like Machine Learning, intelligent analytics, cloud-based computing, progress reports, etc., which developers can leverage for practical development. 

Another benefit is the readily available AWS integrations, like Dynamo DB, Lambda, S3, etc, further simplifying the development journey. Also, the reliability of Amazon itself makes it a top choice over Firebase. 

Revenue Structure 

Free tier to begin (including the 12-month free hosting services) followed by a pay-as-you-go model, as shown below: 

• Data Storage – $0.023/GB/ month 
• Data Transfer – $ 0.15/GB served
• Request Count – $0.30/ 1 million requests
• Request Duration – $0.20/hour (GB-Hour)

Pros and Cons of Using AWS Amplify 

Pros

• Powered by Amazon, ready to use with smart AWS integrations
• Comprehensive development solution 
• Supports multiple frameworks like JavaScript, Vue, Flutter, etc. 

Cons

• Comparatively difficult learning curve
• With a complete AWS ecosystem, it can get slightly expensive 

2) Back4App 

With many user-friendly integrations like AI-powered services, open-source technologies, and reliable cloud services, Back4App has become one of the top Firebase alternatives in the market. 

Its easy-to-understand interface further simplifies the learning curve, thus adding to its increasing popularity. 

Back4App’s resilient serverless environment offers additional features like aggregate functioning to simplify multiple tasks a relational data model that helps run deep queries. This makes it an ideal choice for complex app development. 

Another feature that makes it an excellent alternative to Firebase is its in-depth video tutorials and an adept support team of experts. 

Revenue Structure 

• The basic model is available for free
• Serverless hosting – $25/month 
• Dedicated hosting – $500/month 
• Custom plans are also available        

Pros and Cons of Back4App

Pros 

• User-friendly interface 
• Multiple cloud hosting options 
• Open-source and AI-based solutions 

Cons 

• Not ideal for building dynamic websites 
• The price model might not be suitable for beginners

3) Parse

Parse is another great Firebase alternative. It is open-source, completely free, and easy to understand. This makes it an ideal option for beginners. 

Being an open-source platform, Parse is also backed by a massive community of developers who actively participate in improving and supporting it. 

It also provides multi-cloud deployment, which one can self-host using any prime cloud provider (like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure). This is possible, again, because of the open-source framework that allows developers to download the repositories on GitHub, followed by hosting them on the preferred cloud platform. 

The platform uses MongoDB and PostgreSQL as a database, along with Node.js, for local testing. These features, when combined, make Parse an amazing option if one is looking for Firebase competitors. 

Revenue Structure 

• Free

Pros And Cons Of Using Parse

Pros

• Free to download and use 
• Multiple cloud hosting options 
• Faster development 

Cons 

• Supports only MongoDB and PostgreSQL 

4) Supabase

Launched in 2020, this new venture has established itself as one of the top Firebase competitors in the market, with 60k+ stars and 5k+ forks on GitHub. The platform is open-source and allows multiple cloud hosting along with the option of its own Supabase cloud. 

Supabase shares some similarities with Firebase as neither requires additional downloads of tools or software to begin a new project. They both offer similar services like authentication and real-time data debugging. 

So what makes it different or a better Firebase alternative?

It’s the fact that Supabase is built on PostgreSQL, which is an open-source relational database management system. The stored data can be easily accessed with REST API and GraphQL APIs provided by Supabase. The platform allows developers to build and deploy real-time web applications, making the overall process seamless. 

Revenue Model 

• Free plan 
• Pro – $25/month 
• Team – $599/month 
• Enterprise – Custom 

Pros And Cons Of Using Supabase

Pros

• Predictable pricing 
• REST API and GraphQL APIs for easy data access 
• Easy to understand, developer-friendly 

Cons 

• May not offer a diverse range of in-built tools and features
• Requires an in-depth understanding of PostgreSQL 

5) IBM Db2

A company known for its software and hardware solutions designed a data management product to assist developers by minimizing lag time, faster data accessibility, and real-time analytics. 

With the main focus on assisting scaling businesses or established enterprises, IBM Db2 is designed to manage high-volume workloads effortlessly. Their decades of experience in the industry are evidenced by their thoroughly tested, highly secure solution that checks all the boxes a growing enterprise might be looking for. 

Premium features like AI-powered solutions, intelligent automation, a highly secure environment, and many more make it a strong contender among all of the Firebase alternatives. 

Revenue Model 

• Lite Plan – Free 
• Standard Plan – $99/Month 
• Enterprise Plan – $969/Month 

Pros And Cons Of Using IBM Db2

Pros

• AI-powered services
• High data security 
• Comprises of all the required tools and resources

Cons 

• May get slightly difficult to learn

6) Kuzzle 

Kuzzle is a perfect Firebase alternative for IoT-based service providers. With three services under its belt, Kuzzle expertly crafts innovative solutions across three areas, namely – IoT, open-source software, and PaaS. 

Their adept team of experts has got all your IoT complications covered, from resilient mobile app development to dynamic web development services. From Smart Logistics to Smart Cities, opportunities with Kuzzle are endless. 

Another reason it is a good Firebase competitor is because developers don’t have to rely on a single programming language; Kuzzle supports multiple SDKs like JavaScript, C#, Dart, etc. 

Revenue Model 

• Download – Free
• Support Plans 

• Starter Plan – €500
• Business Plan –  €1,000
• Premium – Price on request

Pros And Cons Of Using Kuzzle 

Pros

• Multiple solutions in one place
• Open-source framework
• IoT oriented services

Cons 

• Free plan doesn’t offer a lot of functionalities 

7) MongoDB Atlas Device SDKs 

MongoDB Atlas Device SDKs (formerly known as Realm) was acquired by MongoDB (in 2019).

Atlas device SDK is a complete set of app development tools that allow developers to build a variety of data-driven applications. Its multi-cloud database service simplifies deployment while allowing developers enough options to create versatile and resilient applications.    

Users going for this Firebase alternative can easily access all the beneficial features offered by Realm originally, along with MongoDB’s smart features and vast library. This also allows developers to choose their preferred cloud platform from the leading choices like AWS, GCP, and Azure. 

Revenue Model 

• Serverless Cluster – from  $0.10/million reads
• Dedicated Cluster – from $57/month (pay as you go)
• Shared Cluster – from $0/month (pay as you go)

Pros and Cons of using Atlas

Pros

• Multi-cloud deployment options
• High-level security 
• Easy to use and understand

Cons 

• Not a budget-friendly option 
• Free cluster not suitable for large-scale app development 

8) Backendless

This is one of those Firebase alternatives that would be ideal for everyone, regardless of their experience level. 

The platform uses a frontend visual builder to create backend logic, simplifying development and app management, thus making it a preferred choice for developers. 

Additionally, efficient customer service, real-time database, a broad spectrum of low-code and no-code tools, and user authentication are some of the features developers leverage. Other beneficial features include push notifications, an in-app messaging console, API management, etc., that help developers design a resilient backend. 

Revenue Model 

It comes with three pricing models, depending on the business size and scope 

• For Small Businesses and Individuals 
  • Backendless Cloud:-
    • Free Plan,
    • Scaling Plan – $15/month
• For Medium and Large Size Businesses 
  • Managed Backendless:-
    • Custom pricing
  • Backendless Pro:-
    • Single Server –  $10k per year
    • Clustered – $50k per year

Pros and Cons of Using Backendless

Pros

• Multi-platform customer services
• User-friendly interface
• Faster development

Cons 

• Complicated pricing model 
• UI builder might not offer a diverse range of customization options 

9) NHost 

NHost, a cloud-based platform, helps developers build resilient serverless web and mobile apps. Serverless development eliminates the overhead of managing servers, further simplifying the whole process.

NHost is an open-source Firebase alternative and thus is compatible with similar technologies like GraphQL, Postgres, etc.  Also, this feature-rich platform offers numerous tools and services like a managed database, user authentication, and a diverse range of cloud integrations that further add to its popularity. 

NHost is unique to other Firebase alternatives because it focuses on serverless app development solutions. It also offers a broader range of tools and services curated to aid the overall development process. 

Revenue Model 

• Starter Plan – $0/month/project
• Pro Plan – $25/month/project
• Team Plan – $599/ month/project
• Enterprise Plan – Custom pricing 

Pros and Cons of Using NHost 

Pros

• Open-source with end-to-end solutions available 
• Broader range of integrations 
• Serverless app development 

Cons 

• May lack some customization features 
• Doesn’t have an active community of experts 
• May have a steeper learning curve

10) Heroku 

Heroku is a Salesforce-owned platform aimed at streamlining the development journey. 

From infrastructure management to automated scaling of servers, Heroku provides end-to-end services for a seamless development and deployment experience. Additionally, the platform supports numerous programming languages, including Java, Ruby, PHP, and Python. 

Heroku is said to be “designed by developers for developers,” and it can be seen in its wide range of features and services. Several valuable tools are available for developers to free them from repetitive tasks and efficiently develop a feature-rich application. 

Like Salesforce, Heroku maintains optimal server security to prevent any breaches. Automated security, one-click deployment, and a wide range of developer-friendly features are the reasons why Heroku stands out amongst the other Firebase alternatives. 

 Revenue Model 

• Basic – from $5/month 
• Production – from $25/month 
• Advanced – from $250/month 
• Enterprise – Custom pricing

Pros and Cons of Using Heroku 

Pros

• Automated scaling 
• Easy to use and developer-friendly 
• Highly secure servers

Cons 

• No free tier 
• Services offered in limited regions 

11) Appwrite

Launched in 2019, this Firebase alternative will interest those who want to build a complex application. It uses REST APIs that are easy to use when fulfilling basic backend requirements. And, being an open-source platform, it is backed by a strong community of developers, even though it is new in the market. 

Appwrite provides ready-made templates and no-code development for simplified processes. This makes app development easier for anyone, regardless of their experience. Along with this, it also offers a variety of authentication options for users to choose from. 

The platform supports multiple SDKs utilized to develop an array of web and mobile applications. Known for its fast response and development cycle, Appwrite is one of the preferred options amongst Firebase alternatives. 

Revenue Model 

• Starter Pack – $0 
• Pro Pack – $15 / member/month 
• Scale Pack – $685 /organization/month 

Pros and Cons of Using Appwrite 

Pros

• Use of REST APIs 
• Faster customer services 
• Open-source 

Cons 

• Comparatively new in the market
• Doesn’t have backup support like Google 

Bonus Read: Flutter alternatives

Which Of These Firebase Alternatives To Go For? 

The answer to the question above is any alternative would work. All of these platforms stand as Firebase competitors, and strong ones at that. However, this doesn’t imply that Firebase is not good anymore; it is still an excellent app development platform. As seen in the blog, there are some good and some not-so-good things about them. So the choice depends on your requirements. 

If your budget allows, Amplify would be an amazing choice, but if you are seeking an IoT-based app development, Kuzzle is your answer. If you are looking for a smart contender in the business, then IBM Db2 would work well for serverless apps – you can go for NHost. 

One thing worth noting is that development services are not easy investments made on a whim, so a thorough understanding of requirements, budget, and intensive research is needed. This will help identify a suitable app or web development service provider for your project. So do remember that.