Firebase Vs MongoDB – Out of The Two Which One To Choose?

firebase vs mongodb
  • Ankit Patel Ankit Patel
  • July 29, 2021
  • 5 min read

An application is created with the goal to expand the customer base. For realizing this goal, it is essential that you decide in advance the platform on which you want to launch your app, i.e. iOS or/and Android. Having built a world-class app isn’t just enough. Your app needs to have a robust backend so that it can handle huge traffic or else it may experience a crash resulting in a service meltdown.

Note whenever creating a business app, you should not make the mistake of ignoring the database. A well-designed and correctly set-up database will never let you experience any crashing or other severe technical issues.

Today, everything is being operated in the clouds; hence the expectations of the developers are rising. As every consumer demands highly usable, fully managed and drastically simplified user interfaces, likewise developers too expect the same. They need that database through which they can unlock their data utility and productivity levels. Choosing from the NoSQL database is the right choice for them.

MongoDB and Firebase are the two most popular NoSQL databases that are highly preferred and used by mobile app developers. Both the databases are used for creating scalable, usable, and robust mobile apps.

Let us discuss in detail Firebase as well as MongoDB and discover their similarities and differences. Also, in this context, we will discuss which database to choose – Whether Firebase or MongoDB?

firebase or mongodb

● Firebase

In the year 2012, Google developed Firebase. This database is used for storing and synchronizing data instantly. Hosted in the clouds, this database is the document store that gives complete flexibility in accessing data from Android or/and iOS devices. It is the best end-to-end platform for developing a mobile app. Real-time updates on the shared scripts are provided by this database without the need for refreshing.

Features offered by Firebase are innumerable and they are as follows:

  • Real-time Database
  • Hosting
  • Cloud Firestore
  • Firebase Authentication
  • ML Kit
  • Cloud Functions
  • Firebase Storage
  • Cloud Messaging
  • Cloud Storage
  • Remote Config
  • Dynamic Links
  • Crash Reporting
  • Test Lab
  • Performance Monitoring
  • App Indexing
  • Google Analytics
  • In-App Messaging
  • A/B Testing
  • AdMob
  • Predictions

● MongoDB

In the year 2009 on 11th February, MongoDB Inc. developed a database named MongoDB. Falling under the category of NoSQL, MongoDB is both a cross-platform and open-source document-oriented database. With this database, you can store data on large scale. The data stored need not be in the column and row format. Being dynamic and robust in nature, its performance is high. Here, there is no need of predefining a schema as in traditional RDBMS. This database is written in Go, C++, Python, and JavaScript languages. It offers high scalability, high speed, and high availability.

Like Firebase, you don’t have a complete set of ecosystems in MongoDB, as it focuses primarily on data storage. The reason why the developers have adopted this database is it is capable of powering a lot of different mobile app categories.

Common Features of MongoDB and Firebase:

  • Both are post-relation (NoSQL) databases. They have interrelated document schemas and data models like JSON.
  • Both the databases help the developers to start their projects quickly. Also, these databases support them in articulating the data models as they are built.
  • MongoDB and Firebase separate data on the basis of their category so that they can be distributed easily across all the scalable database groups.
  • Both the databases are free to use for learners or beginners.
  • The customers of both databases get NoSQL solutions.
  • Both the databases have thoroughly set technical documentation because of which they can be easily accessed by the app users.

● Comparison Between MongoDB & Firebase

MongoDB and Firebase, both the databases are great and very proficient; hence only a few differences won’t be enough to decide on which one is the best. Have a look at a detailed list of differences stated below considering their general characteristics, pros, and cons.

● General Comparison Between MongoDB & Firebase

mongodb and firebase comparison

● Comparison Between MongoDB & Firebase – Considering The Pros

Firebase:

  • Data gets updated instantly without the need for refreshing.
  • Multiple computers can be easily synchronized with this database.
  • Despite heavy traffic, the server doesn’t meltdown.
  • Event queue is cloud-based.
  • Real-time push notifications.
  • Ideal for Live messaging or chat applications.
  • The flexible rate plan offered by Firebase implies you need to pay as you proceed.
  • Synched App State is offered. For your static website, you get a superfast CDN. With the cloud platform of Google, straightforward hosting is allowed by Firebase.

MongoDB:

  • MongoDB has powerful scaling and sharding capabilities.
  • Dynamic – No fixed schema.
  • Representation of data in BSON or JSON.
  • Highly flexible as the application gets less or doesn’t get at all impacted on deletion or addition of the field.
  • Geospatial support.
  • Can be easily integrated with BigData Hadoop.
  • While configuring on-premise, you get a free version of MongoDB. A serverless setup you get with MongoDB database’s paid version.
  • Documentation of MongoDB has an extremely vast literature collection along with tutorials for all the new users.
  • Being flexible no fused data structure is required across every object.

● Comparison Between MongoDB & Firebase – Considering The Cons

Firebase:

  • Firebase has mysterious security protocols.
  • Only paid versions are available; hence setting up a personal server is not possible. You need to purchase a server hosted by Google.
  • Absence of relational queries.
  • As you are not the owner of the server hosting your data, hence you don’t get the power to export your detailed user data.
  • Quite complex to deal with data relations with this database.
  • With Firebase, migration of data is not that easy.

MongoDB:

  • Well-known for losing, corrupting, and leaking data in due course.
  • The searching and indexing of this database are not that powerful.
  • MongoDB isn’t fully ACID-compliant.
  • Absence of stored or function procedure; hence you get no place to connect the logic.
  • Presence of confusing middleman server hosting arrangements.
  • Difficult to handle complex queries.

● Comparison Between MongoDB & Firebase – Considering Where It Can Be Used

Firebase:

  • When the development time is very less.
  • When data is needed by the app in real-time.
  • When you plan to scale your mobile app frequently and easily.
  • Best for real-time messaging, social networks, and online gaming apps.
  • Instant sync between the browsers and devices.
  • Where intuitive APIs are needed for seamless integration of 3rd party.

MongoDB:

  • To evolve data requirements.
  • For quick logging and real-time analytics.
  • High scalability and better caching.
  • Where management of the entire configuration is required.
  • To maintain geospatial data (data based on the location).
  • For the management of huge enterprise data.

● Top Companies Using Firebase:

  • Instacart
  • LaunchDarkly
  • Twitch
  • The New York Times
  • PayPal
  • Alibaba Travels
  • Duolingo
  • Venmo
  • Lyft
  • Shazam

● Top Companies Using MongoDB:

  • Uber
  • Adobe
  • Verizon
  • Lyft
  • SEGA
  • LaunchDarkly
  • Delivery Hero
  • Stack
  • Accenture
  • eHarmony
  • eBay
  • EA Games

● Wrapping Up

Firebase and MongoDB, both databases have their pros and cons. Now, when you are given the choice to choose one from these two databases, you need to choose the database as per your project requirements and your personalization.

Both the technologies are good in their respective areas and have their very own integration space and expertise. For example, Firebase is best for data management and real-time updates. MongoDB is perfect where there is a need for handling data quickly for big enterprises.

Whatever database you are going to choose, make sure that you have a team of skilled and proficient developers who could help you in setting up your chosen database and in building your app. XongoLab is one of the best and award-winning mobile app development companies on which you can rely when it comes to the development of a seamless mobile app backed by a robust database. Our developers are highly skilled and hold complete knowledge of every database set. Feel free to contact us at your convenience.

About: Ankit Patel

Ankit Patel is a Director of Sales & Marketing at XongoLab Technologies LLP and PeppyOcean, A leading mobile app development companies. In his free time, He likes to write articles about technology, marketing, business, web, and mobile. His articles featured on YourStory, E27, Datafloq, JaxEnter, TechTarget, eLearningAdobe, DesignWebKit, InstantShift, Business Magazine, SimpleProgrammer, and many more.

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