AWS vs. Firebase | Secrets Unlocked

Over the last decade, the rate of advancement in mobile technology is mind-blowing. Mobile devices now have powerful processors that can perform advanced computing functions. Also, mobile application developers are on top of their game, creating impressive apps for business, personal computing, and gaming.

All these apps require powerful hosting and backend infrastructure to function optimally. Serverless architecture is a viable option many companies and developers prefer for their app development and hosting. In the serverless model, the cloud service provider operates the server and manages the dynamic allocation of resources.

This article focuses on comparing and contrasting AWS and Firebase, two of the leading cloud service providers. 

Thinking About Migrating to Serverless Architecture?

Are you thinking about migrating your app development and hosting to a serverless model? Then, it is essential to consider the best platform that would serve your objectives before taking a step forward. With this Firebase vs. AWS analysis below, you can make an informed decision about the platform that is best for you.

What is Firebase?

Firebase is a Backend as a Service platform that offers a wide range of tools and services developers need to create and run cloud-based apps. Google owns firebase; it has a reputation as a reliable platform that expedites the creation of mobile and web apps. The platform provides developers with building blocks for kickstarting application development projects. Prominent among the tools that Firebase offers are APIs, storage, a realtime database, among a host of others. 

The Advantages of Firebase

Let’s take a brief look at the various benefits that Firebase offers developers on the platform.

• End-to-end-solution: Firebase offers an integrated platform for app development. It includes tools to built better apps, improve quality, and grow your business. 
• Manages Services: Firebase offers developers a managed service. In essence, the platform takes care of the server infrastructure, such as scaling instances, maintaining server performance, monitoring uptime, and the likes. 
• Smarter Analytics: Firebase integration with Google Analytics brings immense benefits to app developers on the platform. App owners can now gain access to vital app analytics and export data with Google Analytics to BigQuery. This access to app analytics helps developers engage with their users and update their apps for better performance. 
• Realtime Database: The cloud-based real-time NoSQL database of Firebase stores and synchronizes data in instantly. This feature is excellent for creating real-time communication and collaboration apps. Developers can leverage this feature to code backend functions that are triggered by database events. 
• Troubleshooting Features: The presence of bugs is the bane of any application that would have been successful. Users hate bugs and would naturally stop using apps that crash or have buggy functions. Firebase has an excellent reporting feature that can be used for troubleshooting and fixing bugs in apps. This feature goes a long way in enhancing application performance and the experience of app users. 

What is AWS?

Amazon Web Services, commonly referred to as AWS, are arguably the most versatile cloud platform today. It owns more than 175 state-of-the-art data centers around the world. The global developer’s community loves the AWS cloud solutions for its reliability, flexibility, cost-efficiency, ease of use, and scalability. The service structure of AWS combines the trio of Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Infrastructure as a Service.

AWS offers an extensive array of cloud-based products and services for businesses ranging from storage, development tools, database, analytics, and much more. All these products and services use the flexible Pay as you Go pricing structure. In essence, you only have to pay for the service you use. This is in contrast to other platforms that sell packages with a fixed price, which you may not exhaust before the end of the payment cycle.

In summary, AWS offers a wide array of cloud services for individuals and businesses. The advanced security features, service options, and flexible payment structure are factors that attract users to AWS.

The Benefits of AWS

Below is an exclusive overview of the benefits that the AWS platform offers businesses and developers.

• Cost-Efficiency: AWS is less expensive than other managed services such as Firebase. Better still, long-term contracts can be up to 75% cheaper than the standard rates.
• Self-Hosting: Unlike Firebase, AWS allows the user to install third-party apps such as opensource products. It also supports the migration to another service completely. 
• Robust APIs: AWS offers a wide variety of APIs in different programming languages for performing various server routines including backups, creating new components, and many more
• Multilateral Features and Services: AWS is the cloud service provider with the highest number of services. AWS is one of the leading platforms that implement support for its users’ latest technologies. 
• Top-Notch Security: The design of AWS makes it flexible, reliable, and secure. Thanks to the powerful security tools that align with multiple security standards. The platform’s enhanced security makes it ideal for developing and hosting various types of sensitive business applications across the globe.
• Flexible Payment Structure: The flexible pricing model of AWS that is based on the Pay as you Go developers and businesses prefer model. So, you do not need massive investment to get your service running on AWS. Once you start scaling the service, you will be charged based on the number of AWS resources used. Moreover, the platform also allows users to be upscale and downscale servers without hassles. 

Firebase vs. AWS | Comparison 

Conclusion

This article compared AWS and Firebase.

• Fibabase is a backend as a service run by Google, delivers an end-to-end app development solution, and it’s completely serverless.
• AWS is the largest cloud provider in the world, delivers multiple services, including virtualized servers, storage, serverless solutions, etc.

The right choice will depend upon several factors like the size of the workload, requirements in terms of server-level access, coding flexibility levels, and integration requirements.

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