Firebase vs Supabase
A detailed comparison between 2 very popular databases.
What is Firebase?
Firebase, which is a part of Google, is a comprehensive suite of tools aimed at mobile and web developers. Its core is Firestore, a NoSQL database that stores data in documents, which are collections of key-value pairs. These documents can have various structures, making Firestore ideal for handling unstructured data.
Beyond its database, Firebase offers numerous features valuable to developers:
- Authentication: A robust service for managing user authentication.
- Cloud Functions: Serverless functions that integrate seamlessly with other Firebase services.
- File Storage: Secure and scalable file storage solutions.
What is Supabase?
Supabase is an open-source alternative to Firebase, built around PostgreSQL, a powerful relational database management system. Supabase provides several benefits:
- Open Source: No vendor lock-in and the ability to host it yourself.
- SQL Queries: Leverage the full power of SQL, a proven query language.
- Scalability: PostgreSQL’s long history of scalability and reliability.
Supabase enhances PostgreSQL with additional features to rival Firebase:
- Auto-generated API: Direct client querying.
- Realtime: Stream changes to your application instantly.
- Auth: Easy-to-integrate authentication system.
- Functions: Globally deployed JavaScript and TypeScript functions.
- Storage: Convenient hosting for images, videos, and PDFs.
Similarities
Both Firebase and Supabase aim to improve the developer experience with powerful, easy-to-use tools. They share several common features:
- Developer-Friendly: Spin up projects directly from your browser without extra tools.
- Dashboard UI: Real-time data debugging for rapid development iterations.
- Client Libraries: Robust client-side libraries for database communication.
Differences
While they share some similarities, Firebase and Supabase differ significantly in key areas:
Database Structure
- Firebase: Document-based NoSQL database.
- Supabase: Relational SQL-based database (PostgreSQL).
Open Source
- Firebase: Proprietary, with vendor lock-in.
- Supabase: Open-source, offering flexibility and control.
Pricing
- Firebase: Charges per read, write, and delete operations, which can be unpredictable during development.
- Supabase: Charges based on data storage, with unlimited API requests and Auth users.
So which one do I choose?
Choosing between Supabase and Firebase ultimately depends on your project requirements.
Choose Firebase if:
- You prefer a multitude of tools such as hosting, analytics, database, and authentication all in one place.
- You need seamless integration with other Google services.
- You want a fully managed service with strong support and documentation.
Choose Supabase instead if:
- You want a database that is cheaper in the long run.
- You need open-source flexibility and the ability to host it yourself.
- You prefer predictable pricing based on data storage.
- You want to leverage the full power of SQL with PostgreSQL.
Both platforms provide excellent developer tools and are easy to set up, so ultimately, your choice should align with your project's specific needs.