back4app.comFirebase vs Parse Server

Firebase vs Parse Server

• Google has recently released a new version of Firebase.

• It provides a unified platform to build Android, iOS, and web Apps. Admob, Analytics, Authentication, Indexing, Test Lab, and Notifications are some of the new features introduced in the latest version of Firebase.

• Parse Server is a better choice to build new apps or API’s.

• Read on to get a sense of comparison between the two and to understand why Parse Server is still better.

• You can read the original publication on: http://blog.back4app.com/2016/06/15/firebase-parse/

Firebase

• There are still many Android and iOS apps that have Parse as their backend.

• But since Facebook has given a deadline to migrate these apps, developers are on a constant lookout for alternatives.

• Firebase from Google is one such alternative that can host web apps.

• Below are some of the striking features of Firebase that seem to be advantageous to the developers.

Firebase

• Firebase stores the data in JSON format.

• JSON data is readily available through REST API’s or by using client libraries.

• The data is stored in the cloud and thus can be accessed from anywhere.

Data Storage

Firebase

• Firebase is designed with a model-observer scheme which is most useful for interactive apps.

• Any change in data done on the server is updated to the registered clients in real-time.

• The data syncs almost instantly on the client devices.

• Cloud messaging and remote customization of apps enables to update the app variables instantly.

Real-time data sync

Firebase

• It is robust, cross-platform APIs for Android and iOS apps.

• It also supports Javascript with highly flexible security API.

• Authentication through Twitter, Facebook, and Google are validated.

Authentication and data security

Firebase

• The users need not have to worry about hosting data as Firebase will take care of it.

• With a central database, Firebase can update all the users with real-time data.

Central Database

Firebase vs Parse Server

• Google is supporting Firebase similar to how Facebook supported Parse.

• But now, Facebook has shut down Parse and developers have been presented with the open source version of it.

• Here are some of the best features of Parse Server.

Parse Server

• Parse Server is the open source version of Parse that has been supported by a strong community of open source developers.

• In fact, Parse Server has worked on the shortcomings that were present in Parse and retained the good things that were present in Parse.

• With the Parse Server self-hosted by the users, it can be the best platform to develop new Android or iOS apps or API’s.

Parse Server

• Parse Server needs infrastructure that runs on Node.js and it supports Express web app framework.

• Once you have the data ready in the database, you don’t need any significant changes to the client code to run your applications.

Easy to deploy

Parse Server

• Parse used MongoDB to store data and Amazon S3 bucket to store file system.

• Parse Server has enhanced database functionalities such as performance refactoring, data backup and restore, and indexing.

• With Parse Server, users can choose a file system of their choice.

• There is also an option of storing files in JSON format as a backup.

• These JSON files can be imported whenever needed.

• Parse had a cap on the number of queries, cloud functions, and database triggers but Parse Server has no such limitations.

Data Storage

Parse Server

• Parse Server has managed to ensure data security without changing client code.

• Pointer permission is one of the most recent updates for the Parse Server and is available in the latest version of Parse Server.

Pointer Permission

Parse Server

• Parse was well-known for its dashboard and Parse Server has all the amazing dashboard features of Parse.

• The dashboard enables users to manage and configure their apps and send push notifications.

Dashboard

Parse Server

• Users need not make the same queries every time they need data.

• Users can construct a query and Parse Server will fetch real-time data as and when the resulting data changes.

Live Queries

Firebase vs Parse Server

• The advantage of open source development environment is that the developers have full control over the source code.

• They have the power of migrating the data to different platforms when they require.

• When Facebook announced the shutdown of Parse, developers had to migrate data and application to another BaaS or MBaaS.

• With such an experience, trusting any other BaaS may seem unacceptable to them anymore.

Vendor Lock-in

Firebase vs Parse Server

• Parse Server has long-term stability compared to any such vendor-based platforms.

• With a strong community background and feature-rich open source platform, Parse Server is undoubtedly better than Firebase to develop Android, iOS or web application API’s.

Vendor Lock-in

Firebase vs Parse Server

• Firebase can host Android, iOS and web applications and so does Parse Server.

• But as far as Parse Server is concerned, it has all the features of Firebase and much more advantages that it can offer to the users.

• Users of Firebase will not have full access to their source code and IP ownership of app components is denied.

• With embedded platforms, REST API’s of Firebase cannot be implemented quickly.

Quick Comparison

Firebase vs Parse Server

• Reporting tools are not strong enough in Firebase.

• Data migration is not as easy as Parse Server.

• Firebase does not support simple Geo queries.

• Parse Cloud Code is much superior compared to even the latest version of Firebase.

• Above all, Firebase users are vendor-locked.

Quick Comparison

Firebase vs Parse Server