MongoDB vs Firebase [closed]

Question

• Firebase is a real-time engine with backward connectivity. I.e. you might build a cross-platform app where clients subscribe to events on specific data and server actively informs clients about changes
• The data layer is hosted for you. Mind that it is highly scalable. It's a nice kickstarter solution. Including auth management
• Geo-Fire. Real-time geo coordinates solution.
• Evident drawbacks of Firebase are:
  • You have to pay for it as soon as you start growing
  • You can't host datalayer (if owning data is critical or you develop an app for some separated subnet)

EDIT: here is a nice article how to replace Firebase in your app with Node.js+MongoDb. It shows how much work you would have to do on your own, and explains, IMHO, why a startup (small app) should begin with Firebase (if real-time updates to clients are required) and proceed with MongoDb (in any case self-written solution) if the project keeps evolving

EDIT 2: after being acquired by Google Firebase now offers various perks on top of its basic features which you would struggle to build on your own:

• For development

  • Cloud Messaging: Deliver and receive messages across platforms reliably
  • File Storage: Easy file storage (including iOS)
  • Hosting: deliver static files from Firebase's servers (Included in Free plan)
  • Crash Reporting: Not a full logging service, but crucial help

• For growth

  • Remote Config: Customize your app on the fly: suitable for A/B testing
  • Dynamic Links: Send users to the right place inside your app
  • Notifications: Engage with users at the right moment

Apples and oranges. Firebase is a Backend-as-a-Service containing identity management, realtime data views and a document database. It runs in the cloud.

MongoDB on the other hand is a full fledged database with a rich query language. In principle it runs on your own machine, but there are cloud providers.

If you are looking for the database component only MongoDB is much more mature and feature-rich.

Firebase is designed for real-time updates. It easily integrates with angular. Both are NoSQL databases. MongoDB can also do this with Angular through Socket.io integration. Meteor.js also makes use of MongoDB with an open socket connection for real-time updates.

MongoDB can be run locally, or hosted on many different cloud based providers. Firebase, in my opinion is great for smaller apps, very quick to get up and running. MongoDB is ideal for more robust larger apps, real-time integration is possible but it takes a bit more work.

After using Firebase a considerable amount I've come to find something.

If you intend to use it for large, real time apps, it isn't the best choice. It has its own wide array of problems including a bad error handling system and limitations. You will spend significant time trying to understand Firebase and it's kinks. It's also quite easy for a project to become a monolithic thing that goes out of control. MongoDB is a much better choice as far as a backend for a large app goes.

However, if you need to make a small app or quickly prototype something, Firebase is a great choice. It'll be incredibly easy way to hit the ground running.