Best Firebase Alternatives

Firebase might be known as the best app development platform, but you would know it lacks in many domains if you have used it. Read below to find out the best firebase alternatives.

As a developer, the first option that comes to mind is firebase. Supported by Google, it is one of the most powerful tools to develop high-quality web and mobile applications that run successfully on different platforms like OS X, web, iOS, and android.

But being a google product does not mean that it is the ultimate best. If that were the case, the world would not have seen a huge shift to dropbox instead of google drive.

Firebase is a backend as a service (BaaS) and provides developers with plenty of features like faster app building, engaging more users to grow their user base, and earning great profits.

Despite its numerous features, developers are still looking for alternatives. But why? Take a quick look at the reasons for it:

It is a relatively costly option
Reply to database queries are slow
Complex queries are not possible with firebase
With backend as a service (BaaS), it locks in users on the platform
It runs entirely on google cloud
You do not own your data
Does not provide enterprise contracts

Several user-friendly, cost-effective platforms provide unique features to the developers for developing mobile and web apps. The best options are enlisted below:

KUZZLE

Kuzzle is one of the most trusted open-source backends for IoT, web, and mobile app development. It is a solution with plenty of key features such as:

Multiprotocol API
Scalable servers
Real-time functionality
Reduced development time
Push notifications
Real-time data syncing
Admin console
Blazing advanced searches
Geofencing

Unlike firebase, which relies upon NoSQL and is a closed source, Kuzzle is an open-source and provides Node.js and other databases. Kuzzle offers free, starter, business, and enterprise plans with support coverage.

PARSE

Parse is an open-source application stack that offers unique tools with no vendor lock-in complexity. Its key features include:

GraphQL support
User Authentication
Push notifications
Object and file storage

Parse offers a strong developers community. You can host the Parse server on-premises or through self-host by downloading it on a server such as AWS, Alibaba, Google Cloud, Azure, etc.

BACK4APP

Back4App allows developers to build apps globally without managing the infrastructure based on the Parse platform. Its key features include:

Realtime databases
Cloud code functions
24/7 monitoring
Two-factor authentication
Email authentication
Automated backups

Back4App allows you to perform complex relational queries and fast development with a serverless platform. To take the app development to the next level REST API option is also available.

AWS AMPLIFY

Supported by Amazon, AWS Amplify allows developers to create a scalable full-stack application. It is identified as one of the best open-source backends as a service in cloud computing. It comes with a complete tool kit that helps develop the apps quickly. Key features:

API (REST and GraphQL)
Geolocation
Push notifications
Realtime database

AWS Amplify offers free and paid plans and supports platforms like iOS, Android, Ionic, and React Native.

WRAP UP!

Hunting for an alternative platform can be quite a task. As a web and mobile app developer, you need a fast, secure, and reliable platform.

The platforms mentioned above are the best options based upon features and pricing plans, as they offer free versions alongside the paid ones. Firebase limits many features in its free plan, and that is not the case with these alternatives.

Also read: Automated Tests for Web Applications!