Firebase Vs AWS: Which One to Choose for Your App in 2024
Published: 2024-01-11 06:22:11

In today's technology-driven world, the IT industry is moving at breakneck speed. In the past, desktop computers were the most important technological gadgets. However, desktop devices were quickly surpassed by mobile devices. The expanding number of smartphone users highlights the importance of having a mobile app for businesses.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/25xgr71db6ojkmp79jcp.png)
Furthermore, the number of mobile internet users has surpassed that of desktop internet users. This marked a monumental moment in the global expansion of mobile internet users. This has created new chances for enterprises. As a result, a new era of serverless architecture began.

Mobile and web development have improved tremendously in recent years. While current apps have more advanced features, running a web or mobile application requires more than just a hosting provider. In this industry, numerous huge corporations, such as Amazon and Google, provide everything you might want. However, now that serverless architectures are available, an increasing number of developers and enterprises are choosing the serverless option. In this post, we'll compare Firebase vs. AWS to help your web development team choose the best option for your app.

In and of itself, serverless architecture is noteworthy. As previously stated, it is made up of microservices that deconstruct monolithic apps into smaller services. In this example, the code "wakes up" only when a code or function is executed. As a result, it will not be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, resulting in fewer server overload and computation errors.

Cloud functions such as AWS and Firebase consume resources only when they are required. The benefit of serverless computing is that each process has its own set of duties, and neither of them flops, keeping things tidy.

## Google Firebase VS. AWS Comparison

**Firebase**

Firebase has progressed from a Mobile-Backend-as-a-Service (MBaaS) to an excellent backend solution for mobile and web app development. Firebase includes several tools and SDKs that enable you to create, maintain, improve, and scale your application across several platforms, including web, iOS, and Android.

Google Firebase provides services such as file storage, analytics, user authentication, real-time database, cloud storage, and push messaging. These services, in general, are hosted on the cloud.

**Advantages of Firebase**

The following are the key Firebase features that organizations and developers may use to improve their processes faster, smoother, and easier.

**Service Administration**

Because Firebase is a managed service, it takes care of the infrastructure. Furthermore, you won't have to worry about scaling up or down instances because Firebase will handle it for you. It will also analyze and monitor your app regularly to guarantee that it runs smoothly.

**Easy to Track Users**

Firebase provides a very handy approach to follow the user's journey across several devices. You can also learn which device (desktop, browser, mobile, or tablet) people are using to access your app. Data export from Google Analytics to BigQuery has also gotten easier to manage during this stage. 

**Authentication and comprehensive security**

Google Firebase offers robust system security and is supported by Google Sign-in, Chrome Password Manager, and Smart Lock. Google Firebase authentication simplifies sign-in by providing a cross-platform, end-to-end identity solution.

**Cloud Storage**

Google Firebase provides cloud storage that supports fast uploads and downloads, can handle user-generated content, and provides simple access management. 

**Database in Real Time**

Firebase is a cloud-hosted real-time NoSQL database that allows for data storage and synchronization. This feature allows developers to access app data from any device and create amazing collaboration possibilities. It may also help developers execute backend code that responds to database events.

## Disadvantage of Firebase

**Vendor Security**

Firebase as a platform has nothing to do with the issue of vendor lock-in. In most cases, this is the challenge with implementing BaaS systems in general. However, because Firebase does not offer tools for transferring data to other platforms, this may be considered a drawback.

**Real-Time Data Storage Constraints**

In most cases, we save our data in a real-time database. However, that is not a practical option. Its main disadvantage is that it has limited querying capabilities. It does not allow you to send more than one key query at a time. Because the entire database is made up of JSON files, the service does not allow you to filter your data. 

**iOS Support Has Been Reduced**

Firebase can tell the difference between iOS and Android apps. It does not support iOS apps in addition to Android apps. It provides exceptional assistance, specialized services, and Android smartphone features. It enables testing on a wide range of Android devices. 

**Product Not Available in Many Countries**

Firebase is a subdomain of Google. Google, along with other Google services, is illegal and cannot be accessible in countries such as China, where the URIs with *.google.com and *.googleapis.com have been restricted.

## Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's leading provider of cloud computing services. It has proven to be the most profitable division of Amazon. As a result, it has become the dominant cloud service provider of choice for businesses. Amazon released SQS, also known as Simple Queue Service, in 2004, which became the first AWS service. S3, formerly known as Simple Storage Service, was established in 2006 and soon became their most popular cloud service. They also launched Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), which allows businesses to build full-featured cloud apps.

AWS features are far more adaptable, scalable, dependable, and configurable cloud computing solutions than Amazon's cloud platform, whereas Amazon provides a comprehensive and cost-effective cloud platform. This is built so that it can be used as a unique combination of platform as a service, software as a service, and infrastructure as a service offering.

## Advantages of AWB

Let's go over how AWS can help you by recommending a back-end platform for mobile app development.

**Cost-Effective**

Because AWS is not a managed service, it will be less expensive in many cases than Firebase. Furthermore, AWS offers long-term contracts with up to 75% off ordinary pricing.

**Option for Self-Hosting**

In comparison to Firebase, AWS provides a more versatile choice. Furthermore, it enables you to install open-source goods and migrate to alternative services with ease.

**Dependable APIs**

AWS provides dependable APIs in a variety of programming languages, allowing you to optimize your infrastructure. Everything is possible using AWS APIs, whether it's taking backups or building a new component.

**Extremely Secure**

AWS is meant to provide the most resilient, secure, reliable, and adaptable cloud computing environment. The underlying infrastructure of AWS was designed to meet the security requirements of even the most vulnerable enterprises around the world. AWS provides extensive and dependable security technologies that adhere to all security requirements and norms.

**Pay-as-you-go Pricing Model**

AWS offers highly scalable and versatile cloud computing services at a low cost. You simply must pay for the services you require or utilize here. Most notably, these services may be quickly scaled as needed. You can now have enough capacity for your archiving and backup needs. 

## Disadvantage of AWS

**Lack of Professionals**
 
Many organizations have integrated AWS as a cloud computing platform into their business processes since its inception. However, there are only a few skilled AWS experts on the market. As a result, many organizations struggle to locate qualified people for AWS installation. This can be considered a disadvantage of AWS.

**Amazon's EC2 Capabilities**

The second disadvantage of AWS is resource limitation due to geographic location. As a result, your location or region can influence how many resources you have access to. With AWS, you can't consume too many resources. This is a security measure that prohibits malicious individuals from accessing business resources to initiate hacking assaults. 

**Data Utilisation**

Not all data-related laws are the same. Without your knowledge, Amazon Web Services may provide foreign companies and government bodies with access to and use of your data.

**Glitches in Cloud Computing**

Cloud-based services continue to have various flaws. AWS is no exception in this regard. While the service is dependable and well-designed, it is not without flaws.

## Final Comparison

When we talk about Google Firebase, we're talking about a Backend as a Service (BaaS). It provides scalable hosting, managed services, and an app development platform from start to finish.
AWS, on the other hand, is a supplier of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). It is the world's most well-known cloud service company. When compared to Firebase, it provides server-level access, storage, and virtual machines at a lower cost.

## Which One to Choose?

To summarise the differences between AWS and Firebase, both Firebase and Amazon Web Services are viable solutions for serverless architecture apps in Web Development. However, each platform has its own set of needs, which are ultimately determined by the requirements of the business venture. Firebase is a great option for shortening installation times, streamlining app development, and enabling seamless hosting. Furthermore, Firebase is a less expensive option than AWS. This is because it allows for simple real-time data synchronization. As the number of users for real-time applications grows, Firebase becomes a better choice. However, you must exercise caution when doing your queries, or they may prove costly. AWS provides a diverse range of services at much lower prices. This is because they have reduced their pricing by 80% over some time. 

It's now your turn. Please share your thoughts on these two backend choices for mobile app development. AWS or Google Firebase? If you're still stumped, contact SynapseIndia, a premier [cloud application development firm](https://www.synapseindia.com/services/cloud-business-solutions.html). We will lead you in the proper direction.