What are the 6 best Firebase alternatives?

Firebase is a database, which is very popular for developing mobile and web applications. While Google’s solution proves effective in numerous scenarios, there are instances where alternative systems may be better. Below, we provide a detailed overview of the top Firebase alternatives.

What is Firebase and what are its alternatives?

In 2014, Google acquired Firebase, a powerful development platform that achieves strong results, particularly as a database management system for mobile and web-based applications. Originally developed by James Tamplin and Andrew Lee in 2011, Firebase now boasts 18 products, some of which you have to pay for. The database is based on the NoSQL approach and as such, doesn’t use relational tables. Instead, Firebase stores data in JSON documents and synchronizes it in real time. This makes the solution ideal for gaming apps, chat programs, and social networks. Another advantage of the database is its seamless integration with many useful Google services. Companies and platforms such as Duolingo, Instacart, Twitch, and Alibaba rely on Firebase, which was developed in 2011 by James Tamplin and Andrew Lee.

Firebase offers users numerous features and is not just a database but also part of a broader development portfolio. While this makes it highly promising for many use cases, there are scenarios where an alternative to Firebase might be a better fit. Its tight integration can limit data migration and create strong vendor lock-in. In addition, Firebase is heavily oriented toward Android and is not natively optimized for iOS. Although a free plan is available, it only covers the basic version, and additional features can be costly. If you are looking for another option, the following solutions are worth considering.

MongoDB: Flexibility thanks to horizontal scalability

One of the best-known and most powerful NoSQL databases is MongoDB. Created in 2009 by Eliot Horowitz and distributed by MongoDB, Inc. (formerly 10gen), this solution specializes in storing and managing large and growing amounts of data. The data can be structured, semi-structured or unstructured and is stored in binary JSON documents, which in turn are summarized in collections. Leveraging partitioned storage across various nodes (sharding), MongoDB ensures high availability and reliability. The system is used in particular for eCommerce, content management and numerous other applications. It’s compatible with numerous systems, languages and platforms. There are commercial plans for further services.

The benefits of MongoDB at a glance

• Unlimited horizontal scalability
• Very flexible
• Suitable for almost all data types
• High availability through sharding
• Strong security measures
• Data replication allowed
• Easy to use
• Large and dedicated community

MariaDB: The secure choice for relational database projects

MariaDB was created in 2009 as a direct response to Oracle’s acquisition of MySQL, with the goal of providing a transparent, open, and independently developed database solution. Developed by the original creators of MySQL, MariaDB has remained true to the relational model while introducing fresh ideas and new features compared to MariaDB vs. MySQL. Today, it is considered a powerful, stable, and secure option for data-intensive applications—whether for web projects, enterprise software, or analytics tools. With support for classic SQL queries, multiple storage engines, and columnar processing, the database can be flexibly adapted to various requirements. Major platforms like Red Hat and Mozilla rely on this solution for good reason.

The benefits of MariaDB at a glance

• Fully open source with an active development community
• Built as a free MySQL successor and therefore 100% compatible
• High reliability for business-critical applications
• Support for both relational and analytical data processing
• Multiple storage engines (e.g., InnoDB, Aria, ColumnStore) available
• Cross-platform deployment
• Clear licensing (GPLv2) without vendor lock-in

DynamoDB: The Firebase alternative from the AWS ecosystem

In addition to Google, Amazon has also tapped into the lucrative database segment with DynamoDB, offering a formidable alternative to Firebase. Initially developed in 2012 for Amazon’s own data needs, DynamoDB is now part of Amazon Web Services (AWS), catering primarily to web application and eCommerce development. This serverless NoSQL database employs JSON documents and is a fully managed solution that automates updates, security and scaling. The availability and performance of DynamoDB are excellent. DynamoDB uses a pay-per-use billing model.

The benefits of DynamoDB at a glance

• Very user-friendly
• Embedded in the AWS portfolio
• Very secure
• Serverless
• Unlimited scaling options
• High availability
• Usage-based pricing model
• Strong performance

Couchbase: The optimal solution for interactive applications

Among the best alternatives to Firebase is Couchbase. Originally released as “Membase,” this NoSQL database has been available since 2010 and also works document-oriented without predefined schemas. However, there are at least some overlaps with relational systems since its query language, SQL++, is based on the well-known and widely used Structured Query Language (SQL). This open-source Firebase alternative offers a free version as well as several commercial editions. Thanks to its very low latency, it is particularly well-suited for developing interactive applications. Horizontal and vertical scalability is another advantage of Couchbase, which is used by companies such as Disney, eBay, and LinkedIn.

The benefits of Couchbase at a glance

• Open source
• Easy to learn through SQL++
• Low latencies
• Scalable
• Convincing performance
• Flexible data models
• Support for mobile apps
• Simple setup
• High reliability and availability of data through sharding

MySQL: A relational database with many scaling options

Depending on the type of project you are setting up, a relational approach may also be the right fit. One of the best SQL database management systems is MySQL. While this open-source solution works relationally and relies on a fixed table structure, it can still be easily combined with NoSQL databases. Many well-known companies and platforms, such as Airbnb, YouTube, and BBC, value and benefit from these advantages. MySQL uses SQL as its query language and offers high availability and robust data security. A relational database is not always the best option; however, if you want to manage structured data, MySQL is hard to beat.

The benefits of MySQL at a glance

• Open source
• Very user-friendly
• Well-known and logical query language
• Good performance
• Clear and concise
• Scalable
• Secure and stable
• Large community
• High level of compatibility with programming languages, platforms and systems

Apache Cassandra: The NoSQL solution for large amounts of data

Apache Cassandra is a column-oriented NoSQL database designed specifically for handling large volumes of data. Its various scaling options make it suitable for both large and small businesses. Apache Cassandra uses its own query language, CQL, which is easy to learn for users familiar with SQL solutions. With multiple master nodes, the database offers very high availability and data security. It supports structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data. The system also allows configurable replication strategies, making it a worthwhile open-source alternative to Firebase. Today, Apache Cassandra is used by companies such as Apple, Netflix, and Spotify.

The benefits of Apache Cassandra at a glance

• Open source
• Ideal for big data due to strong scaling options
• CQL as query language
• Fail-safe and robust
• High fault tolerance
• Usable for different data types
• Various replication strategies
• High availability
• Meets ACID criteria (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability)