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Appwrite vs Firebase
Comparing two backend as a service platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
Appwrite — Open source backend platform for developers. Appwrite is an open-source end-to-end backend server that provides auth, databases, storage, functions, and messaging.
Firebase — Google's app development platform. Firebase is Google's mobile and web app development platform offering realtime database, authentication, hosting, and serverless functions.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Appwrite | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $15/mo | Pay as you go |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Auth | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Database | MariaDB | Firestore (NoSQL) |
| Realtime | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tier | Yes | Spark plan (generous) |
| Self-hosted | Yes | No |
| Edge Functions | Yes | Yes |
| Row Level Security | Yes | No |
Appwrite
Open source backend platform for developers
Pros
- Fully open source
- Self-hostable with Docker
- Multiple SDK languages
Cons
- Smaller community vs Supabase/Firebase
- Fewer third-party integrations
Firebase
Google's app development platform
Pros
- Battle-tested at massive scale
- Excellent mobile SDKs
- Deep Google Cloud integration
Cons
- Vendor lock-in with Firestore
- Costs can surprise you at scale
- NoSQL-only data model
Which should you choose?
Choose Appwrite if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose Firebase if a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Appwrite or Firebase?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Appwrite is the safer default because Appwrite is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. Firebase is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Appwrite cheaper than Firebase?
Appwrite starts at $15/mo, while Firebase starts at Pay as you go. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Appwrite to Firebase?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Appwrite-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most backend as a service migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Appwrite or Firebase open source?
Appwrite is open source; Firebase is a proprietary managed service.
Does Appwrite or Firebase have a free tier?
Both Appwrite and Firebase offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Firebase. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.